Jennifer Fernandez, PhD & Associates

Counseling? Rehab? Support groups? How does one know where to start when it comes to choosing a substance abuse treatment program? First, you’ll want to get a formal assessment from a licensed professional to determine which treatment option is appropriate for you. Some substance abuse treatment options to consider are support groups, inpatient, and...

Addiction is not a character flaw and it most definitely is not a choice. Addiction is a biopsychosocial phenomenon that results in negative consequences and feelings of shame and guilt. Biological, psychological, and social factors culminate into a dependent relationship to a substance or compulsive behavior as a means of coping with distressing emotional, psychological, and...

Are you thinking of taking a break from drinking? Maybe you overdid it over the holidays or you’ve noticed that your alcohol intake has steadily increased since the pandemic started. Perhaps you just aren’t getting the same enjoyment from a glass of wine or you’d like to get a healthier start to the new year. Whatever the reason, the perfect opportunity to take a break...

The holidays are a time of festivities, joy, family, and friends. It can also be a time of stress, consumerism, high levels of demand, and lots of libations. Whether it be food preparation, decorations, shopping for gifts, cleaning, entertaining, or planning family events – these can all add to the stress of the season.  Whether at the company party or over dinner with the...

The holiday season is coming and we all know what that means – stress, social engagement, and plenty of opportunities to drink. Add a global pandemic to the mix and our chances of wanting to cope with alcohol increase significantly. If you’re worried about drinking too much or you want to try abstaining this holiday season, join the Sober October movement and practice sobriety from...

Often times, the people who I support are attempting to fill a parent-sized void with addiction. They have unmet needs from childhood or they’re survivors of trauma. Regardless of the degree of severity, addiction becomes a tool for coping with stressors and unpleasant emotions. Over time, the person develops a relationship to their drug or compulsive behavior of choice and an attachment...

With Burning Man just around the corner, many people have been inquiring about the responsible use of various drugs, including psychedelics and MDMA. So, here are some tips on maximizing the *awesome* in your psychonauting adventure while minimizing the *bleh*. Everyone’s … Continue reading → The post Rave Responsibly, My Friends appeared first on Power Over Addiction.