Hope springs eternal in the human breast. This is the first line in a poem written by the philosopher Alexander Pope. Most people who quote from the poem never quote beyond the first line. This gives the impression that Pope was altogether in favor of hope. Or, if merely read as a statement then perhaps he was just... The post 028 The Power of Tran…

Have you ever felt terribly discouraged, whipped, or defeated and someone gave you some words of encouragement that made all the difference? Small words, simple words, delivered by just the right person at just the right moment can make a tremendous impact in the life of another. Words also have the ability to do great... The post 027 The Power of …

Is your life what you want it to be? Or, do you feel that your are merely existing rather than living? Have you settled for the routine of the mundane or due you take risks and thrive on the excitement of change? Are you forward looking and leaning in toward your preferred future or are... The post 026 The Power of Transformation – Variations In Sa…

What is one of the most important aspects of lasting and meaningful recovery? It should be the singular imperative for anyone seeking recovery from alcohol, drugs or other addictive behaviors. Without knowing this one key aspect, lasting and meaningful recovery becomes extremely difficult at best and very nearly impossible at worst. Even for anyone…

Regrets. Who doesn’t have regrets? Some people say they have no regrets. Really? None? I find it hard to believe there are people who have absolutely nothing in their past that they wouldn’t go back and change if given the chance. I for one have many regrets. For those of us who do have regrets,... The post 024 The Power of Transformation – REGRETS…

You have heard these statements before. Even I have said them before, statements uttered by alcoholics and addicts to be used as conclusive proof for themselves and others they have no addiction to alcohol or drugs. Statements are often trotted out by the suspected problem drinker or drug abuser such as, “I can quit any time. I just like... The pos…

They say that perception is everything. Is it? What about the common perceptions people have toward the alcoholic or addict? What are they and are they justified? Are the perceptions of non-addicted healthcare providers different toward other healthcare providers that are addicted and different than those of the general population? If so, what make…

Sometimes when people burn out they act out and sometimes that is with alcohol, drugs or other addictive behaviors. When someone becomes addicted, they will never be able to fully address the issue of burnout until the addiction is adequately treated and dealt with first. This is never easy. The addicted individual will tend to play... The post 021…

Previously, in parts 1 and 2 of this series on professional burnout I have discussed the definition of burnout, the symptoms, the causes, methods of prevention and proven ways to relieve or stem the effects of burnout. But, there is one absolutely essential aspect of professional burnout that must be addressed before any meaningful resolution of sy…

In last weeks episode of The Power of Transformation I introduced the definition of Professional Burnout in this three part series. This week I will compare and contrast the difference between on-the-job stress and burnout. One can lead to the other but they are distinctly different in terms of how they develop and their consequences.... The post 0…

Burnout rates among professionals, especially healthcare providers, are approaching epidemic proportions. Sixty percent of physicians say they would quit practicing today if they were financially secure enough. What is professional burnout? How is it defined and why is it important to identify? How easy is it to spot the signs of professional burno…

Resentments, we all have them. What is the cause of resentment? What are the personal consequences of long held resentments? What can be done to eliminate them? Can they be prevented? Please join me, Dr. Clark Gaither, as I discuss this and more in this episode of The Power of Transformation. The post 017 The Power of Transformation – The Toxic Nat…

What is it about change? Some people resist it, fear it, avoid it and even run from it. Why? Change is inevitable. It is part of the human condition. Not wishing to change at all would be entirely outside of the human experience. Yet, people are loath to change. Why? To TRANSFORM from the life you... The post 016 The Power of Transformation – CHANG…

Time. Is it our enemy or our friend? How we spend our time will tell us something important about ourselves. We make time for those things we feel are important. Yet, we never seem to have enough. Sometimes time is fleeting, sometimes it crawls. Why? What is the difference if a minute is still a minute... The post 015 The Power of Transformation – …

Most people would acknowledge that they have principles that they choose to live by. What are principles? Have you ever stopped to consider exactly what your principles might be or where they originated? What does it mean to be a principled person or to live a principled life? In terms of transformative living, are they... The post 014 The Power of…

Fear. Will all have it. It makes us uncomfortable, sometimes extremely uncomfortable. With rare exception, most people hate being afraid. Why? Is there any good that can come from fear?What is it that we fear the most? Is there a way to turn our fears to our advantage? Please join me in this episode of... The post 013 The Power of Transformation – …

Voltaire said, “Perfection is the enemy of good.” Are you perfect? Am I perfect? Of course not. Then why do some of us strive to be perfect? Is perfectionism a good thing or a bad thing? If you are a perfectionist and wish to Transform your life, addressing this issue will be key to your success.... The post 012 The Power of Transformation – Perfec…

Changing a life that is unmanageable, whether from alcohol, drugs, addictive behaviors or from difficulty living life on life’s terms, must always begin with this single most important step. It is a step so crucial, that must people fail to achieve meaningful and lasting change without it. Join Dr. Clark Gaither as he discusses this and more... The…

To undergo a complete transformation, all four realms of a person must be addressed – the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual realms. Too often, it is the physical realm that is ignored. It is just as important as the other three realms for maximizing human potential. The physical realm is also just as amenable to... The post 010 The Power of…

Addicts and alcoholics will use character defects as a means to a self-indulgent end or as a weapon of justification for self-will run riot. To everyone around, their defects of character are on full display. But, the addicted remains blind to their destructiveness. It is very difficult to turn a critical eye on one’s own... The post 009 The Power …

Whether you are new to recovery, have many years of sobriety or are just interested in knowing, this is a question that needs to be asked and answered. Why do alcoholics and addicts relapse? There is an answer to this question and it may not be what you think. In fact, I am sure of... The post 008 The Power of Transformation – Why do alcoholics and…

Learning how to live life on life’s terms is one of the hardest but one of the most valuable lessons anyone can learn. That is particularly true of the addict or alcoholic who tends to view the source of all of their difficulties as being outside of themselves. Join Dr. Clark Gaither as he discusses... The post 007 The Power of Transformation – Lif…

The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself. – Thales He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened. – Lao Tzu No one is free who has not obtained the empire of himself. – Pythagoras How hard is it to honestly know oneself? Is it a necessary thing to... The post 006 The Power of Transformation – Honesty and a Searching a…

The path leading from addiction to sobriety and on to recovery is not a straight one. There are many bumps, stops, twists, turns, wrong turns, and complete changes in direction along the way. It is a very hard journey. Inevitably, many doubts arise which lead to many hard questions – questions concerning faith, God, a... The post 005 The Power of T…

There are many serious health consequences to alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence and alcoholism. Many you may know. Others may be less well known. Join Dr. Clark Gaither as he discusses the long-term consequences of addiction to alcohol and how these can be avoided and, in most instances, reversed. The post 004 – The Power of Transformation – The He…

Why is the behavior of the alcoholic or addict sometimes so bizarre, so inexplicable, so baffling, so insane? Let’s explore that and more with your host Dr. Clark Gaither on this episode of The Power of Transformation. The post 003 – The Power of Transformation – That’s just not normal behavior. first appeared on Clark Gaither, MD, FAAP.…

Why do addicts and alcoholics behave as they do? Why is there never enough alcohol for the alcoholic or drugs for the drug addict? Three words – cunning, baffling, powerful. Listen in as your host, Dr. Clark Gaither, discusses these topics and more in this episode of The Power of Transformation. The post 002 The Power of Transformation – Cunning, B…

This is the very first podcast episode of The Power of Transformation with your host, Dr. Clark Gaither. The post 001 The Power of Transformation – Introduction first appeared on Clark Gaither, MD, FAAP.Av Podcast Episodes – Clark Gaither, MD, FAAP