I fired a doctor last week. My primary physician and I had decided that I should see a cardiologist for some baseline testing. At my age it seem prudent to go in for a treadmill stress test and discuss whatever factors showed up.

I took the test a month ago and the cardiologist seemed upset that I easily outlasted his treadmill. He had me make an appointment to come back in three weeks later to discuss the results, but given that he hadn’t told me to stop doing anything I gathered there weren’t any obvious problems.

That turned out to be correct. In fact, he hadn’t been able to detect any blockages or decreased circulation or other problems at all. And he appeared mighty unhappy about it.

Of course he ordered me to take statin drugs for the cholesterol that was high (and always will be) even after I reminded him that: 1) I was allergic to them; 2) research shows that they don’t reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke; and 3) the side effects are frequently very nasty.

Why, I asked, would I want to take something that’s ineffective, makes me sick, and is apt to make me even sicker over time? He didn’t have an answer for that.

He also stated that modifying my diet, exercising, and losing weight weren’t worth doing.

Huh?

Of course his reasoning was easy to see. He’s my age or a bit older, over weight, over-stressed, and probably has a couple of other risk factors. And he’s choses to medicate himself rather than doing any of the things that would actually make a difference. Having done so, he’s obliged to treat his patients the same way.

That’s called projection, or generalizing from yourself. It’s also a way to avoid taking responsibility for yourself by encouraging others to follow your own unproductive, or counterproductive, lead.

Perhaps that route will work for him and a few of his patients, but for most it’s a prescription for a shorter and less rewarding life.

Since I’m prefer a longer and better life, and since I take responsibility for my health, I will not be returning to that cardiologist, and I told him so, and why.

Yes, my regular physician and I will continue to see my health as an interesting and on-going research project and I’ll seek some expert advice from time to time. And, yes, I will continue to read the research (not the pharmaceutical companies ads and commercials), and adjust to what makes sense for my health.

Finally, there’s a point here – that particular specialist is much like the 12 Step programs that mostly dominate alcohol treatment. They too pay no attention to research, or to individuals, or to the failure of what they prescribe.

So, if you’re looking for help that will work for you, you probably want to avoid those programs, as I did 25 years ago, and look for professionals who will work with you on individual, research based, and effective solutions.

We assume you want a better, longer, and more enjoyable life, and we’re dedicated to you achieving it.

From the minute you call 888-541-6350 we’re here for you, helping you research and implement what’s best for you.

The Three Keys to Successfully Leaving Alcohol Behind

We often write about change and how it’s accomplished. The first rule, really, is that change starts when you do. Thinking about changing doesn’t get it done, and waiting for someone else, or the world, to change first isn’t going to happen either.

The second rule involves changing our surrounding – nothing much changes when everything stays the same. Whether it’s your wardrobe, the route to your office, your drinking patterns, or other habitual behaviors, change can start with the smallest details, but it needs to begin now!

Finally, choose the right help! Pick the right friends, associates, and advisers. Pick those who demonstrate the life you want to develop and avoid those who will simply drag you back to the one you’re leaving behind.

Succinctly put, people who haven’t put alcohol abuse behind them aren’t going to be much help to you. If they haven’t recovered you probably won’t either. Remember, anyone who describes themselves as being “in recovery” hasn’t.

Over the next weeks we’ll take a look at each of these topics in some detail, but if you’re tired of waiting, you can call now and start putting alcohol into the “been there, done that” category on you life.

Tools We Use

Ten Reasons to Run From AA – We tripped across this YouTube video, and other related videos recently and they contains a lot of truth as well as humor. We thought you might enjoy them too, as well as getting a little food for thought.

As always, our Cost Benefit Analysis; Long Term Goal Planner; and Weekly Planner are all available free at:

Resources For You!

You can find many other helpful sites at:

Alcohol Treatment: Organizations and Resources.

And a final resource – you can call us!! One of us answers the phone personally 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., California time, Monday – Thursday, unless we are with clients.

Even on the weekends, Friday – Sunday, we’re normally available from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific time.

We think you deserve our personal and professional attention so we don’t use answering services, volunteers, or other intermediaries. If we can’t answer because we’re with a client or away from our desks, please leave a message. One of us will usually be able to get back to you within an hour.