Don, born in Louisiana to Shamanic-descendant Native Americans (matriarchal side), pursued theology after growing up on a farm with three siblings. He later specialised in addiction studies in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, achieving an M.Div and additional studies in Management, Administration, and Counselling. With a background in Philosophy, he found his calling as a priest, offering support to Step 5s in local treatment centres.
For over 40 years, Don has dedicated himself to addiction and psychiatric behavioural health, working internationally at esteemed centres like Sierra Tucson, Cottonwood, and The Priory, Europe, and the Middle East. He excelled in “family systems work” in the addiction field.
Beyond his professional achievements, Don assisted in pioneering equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) in the US (1990s) and the UK since 2002. The author of the book “Equine Utilized Psychotherapy: Dance With Those That Run With Laughter,” (circa 2006) explains simply why and how it works. He gained media recognition, including appearances on shows like ‘The Trisha Show’ and a feature in The Daily Telegraph.
In the early 2000s, Don and his wife, Meena, established Camino Recovery in Spain. For over a decade and a half, they have been providing tailored and diverse addiction treatment programs with a focus on helping people find a happier way of life.
Besides his work at Camino Recovery, Don enjoys travelling with Meena, spending time with family and working on DIY projects.
Chronic or repeated stress resulting from continuous childhood trauma (such as exposure to domestic abuse) can exacerbate the dysregulation of the nervous system. Children who experience chronic trauma or stress in their early years are more prone to experiencing anxiety and chronic hypervigilance compared to children without such histories.
Spring has arrived in southern Spain, and with it comes a remarkable season of renewal and rejuvenation. After an unprecedented period of rainfall, our beautiful
Addiction is not just a burden that only affects the addict. The entire family—parents, partners, children, siblings—they are all incredibly impacted by the strain of addiction.
This is why, for recovery to be successful, it’s crucial to address all existing family issues. While some in treatment might have strong, healthy family relationships that can be a source of strength and support, others may experience more complex and toxic family dynamics.
One thing about being human is we need other humans. No matter how you look at it, we all crave connections and a sense of belonging that comes from being with others. However, if you’re newly sober or in recovery from drugs or alcohol, the thought of building a social life without substances might feel overwhelming, especially if your previous social life revolved around alcohol.
Going away on a holiday can be difficult to handle in the early days of recovery. Travelling and being away from familiar surroundings and your support system might put you in stressful situations where you have a hard time resisting or saying no. Maybe you’re worried about going to a party with others drinking or anxious about what people think if you don’t join in the drinking.
These are valid concerns, but with some preparation and a solid plan, you can thrive during the Spanish holiday season while having fun AND maintaining your hard-earned sobriety.
National Recovery Month, a highly anticipated annual event, is stronger than ever after thirty-five years. The event celebrates those in recovery, highlights the importance of recovery practices, raises awareness, and advocates for greater access to cutting-edge therapies and treatments.
Generational trauma is the psychological and emotional load passed down by descendants who have experienced significant trauma. This trauma might have originated from a variety of sources, including war, systemic oppression, slavery, genocide, child abuse, domestic violence, alcohol and drug addiction, and neglect.
Recognising your attachment style enables you to cultivate healthy relationships and address any underlying issues that may arise from your early attachment experiences, such as substance abuse and other addictive tendencies.
In their efforts to maintain stability or manage stress, many family members adopt dysfunctional and co-dependent coping mechanisms and behavioural patterns, which can exacerbate the situation.
