Dr Chad K Cox

The “Should” Statement

Posted on January 31, 2018

in Dr Chad K Cox, emotions

by Aton Center

The "Should" statement. One of my duties at the AToN Center is to teach our residents to connect their thinking to their emotions and behaviors. One dysfunctional thought pattern that often arises is the "should" statement. Examples of this include "I should be sober by...

Drugs and Emotions in Sustaining Sobriety

Posted on November 6, 2017

in addiction, Dr Chad K Cox, drug treatment, emotional regulation, emotions, sobriety

by Aton Center

Emotional Regulation is a key factor in sustaining sobriety. Recently, at the AToN Center, I have been working with a patient whose difficulties in keeping his feelings into some kind of manageable state lead to relapse after relapse. He discussed how when he would have...

Relationships and Recovery

Posted on May 25, 2017

in addiction, AToN Center, Dr Chad K Cox, drugs, Psychologist, recovery, relationships, sobriety

by Aton Center

As a Psychologist at the AToN Center I often assist our residents explore how their relationships will be affected by their recovery. When a person is in the thick of their addiction they can have relationships where they hide their self-destructive behaviors from others. On...

Pain Vs. Pleasure

Posted on March 12, 2017

in addiction, Alcohol, AToN Center, delayed gratification, Dr Chad K Cox, drugs, substance abuse, treatment

by Aton Center

In my work as a Psychologist at the AToN Center with those suffering with addictions I will often discuss the concept of "delay of gratification." This refers to the idea that in learning how to postpone pleasure or enjoyment so that more benefits can come in the...

Beware the Curve Ball In Recovery

Posted on March 7, 2017

in Dr Chad K Cox, recovery, Relapse Prevention, triggers

by Aton Center

Beware the Curve-ball In teaching Psychology skills at the AToN center to prevent relapse, I often help residents identify specific situations they have experienced in the past that lead to relapse. People in recovery can often anticipate seeing the friend you used to drink with, avoiding...

Developing Coping Strategies

Posted on February 6, 2017

in coping strategies, cravings, Dr Chad K Cox, Holistic Healing, Relapse Prevention

by Aton Center

At the AToN Center, one of my roles is to conduct a "Psychology Group" with our residents. During one of these groups I engaged our residents in a brainstorming session to develop their coping strategies for cravings. I stood at the dry erase board, had the...

Living In Denial

Posted on January 22, 2017

in addiction, denial, Dr Chad K Cox, San Diego

by Aton Center

There is a paradox to denial that is often confronted in treatment. How do you know if you are in denial? What happens if you deny that you are in denial? What if you have been controlled by others in the past and feel that...

Imagine Sobriety

Posted on January 18, 2017

in anxiety, AToN Center, Dr Chad K Cox, drinking, intoxication, sleep, sober

by Aton Center

There is a fascinating phenomenon I often observe in clients at the AToN Center as they progress in their drug and alcohol treatment in California. Often our residents have been using drugs or drinking for such a long period of time that they have forgotten...

Anger and Blame

Posted on January 4, 2017

in addiction, Anger, AToN Center, blame, Dr Chad K Cox, drinking, drug and alcohol treatment California, drug use, self-control

by Aton Center

Often in my work with addiction at our drug and alcohol treatment center in San Diego, I see clients fall into traps with anger and blame. Many times people will describe a person or event that "caused" them to drink. This can be in the...

Bridges

Posted on November 13, 2012

in alcohol treatment, Assertiveness, AToN Center, Counselors, Dr Chad K Cox, drinking, drug treatment, Psychologist, recovery

by Aton Center

Bridges In the counseling that I provide as a Psychologist at the AToN Center I am often looking for the connections between the skills that are being learned and how these will be applied in the real world. It is much easier to avoid drinking and...