In this edition of the Encouragement Group host David Gerber discusses how the process of addiction mimics the life on an Olympic Athlete. In this episode listeners will gain insight into the level of dedication required for both athletes and the addicted. Listen in as miracles will be shared.Oleh St Christophers Inn Recovery Show

The Walking Dead and Recovery: In this edition of the Encouragement Group host David Gerber draws the comparison between addiction and the Walking Dead. The primary difference is that being in treatment and recovery gives us the opportunity to return from the dead. Michael Boccia adds to the discussion by discussing how consequences are not just ne…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber takes a line from Charles Dickens "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" and applies it to addiction. Hitting bottom is something no one wants to experience. However, bottom represents the first time for people to realize what worked yesterday, no longer works today,…

Encouragement Group 8-16 "Tomorrow" In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber focuses on the concept of tomorrow which seems contrary to the traditional 12-step focus on keeping things in today. However, David points out that every sober thing we do today, and is to make a better tomorrow. Even the song from the popular mu…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber takes paraphrases a portion of legendary NFL football coach Bill Parcel's induction speech into the Hall of Fame where he talks about winners and losers and relates this message to treatment and recovery. In treatment, those who are negative tend to find fault and complain in small…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber discusses the concept of perfectionism, and how it exists among those addicted to substances. In recovery, perfectionism is a common cause of relapse, as many give up when things in recovery don't go perfectly. Michael Boccia chimes in by discussing how like a pebble thrown into th…

The Revolutionary War Battle of New York and Recovery: In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group host David Gerber describes the similarity between the Revolutionary War's Battle of New York and Recovery. As the British commander failed to heed the words of his advisors, George Washington retreated from Brooklyn to Manhattan, losing the batt…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group host David Gerber takes out money and asks the audience who would like it. Then he crumples up the money, stomps on it and again asks if anyone was still interested, and of course the answer was yes. We still want the money because it, despite it's imperfections has not lost it's value. In addiction,…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber explores a message from the movie "Wanted" that relates to recovery. When we truly hit bottom, and are able to say "I don't know who I am" recovery and healing can begin. Holding onto character defects and irrational thoughts keep us stuck. Michael Boccia adds to the discussion by …

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber discusses how many people who enter treatment have given up before they ever start due to multiple previous unsuccessful treatment episodes. They lose sight of how hope and opportunity exist in the present. With every problem comes an equal or greater opportunity. Co-host Michael B…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber takes a look at the popular game Temple Run and Compares it to recovery. We always have the ability to keep moving forward, and when we slow down or go backwards, our addiction is waiting. Michael Boccia chimes in by discussing the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" and how many wish th…

David Gerber, Program Director at St. Christopher's Inn speaks at a drug forum at the Hendrick Hudson Library on the Heroin Epidemic. He will share with listeners the origin on the epidemic; why it's problematic in teens and athletes, and the sometimes dubious solutions to fight our way out.Oleh St Christophers Inn Recovery Show

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber relates the famous Muppets song to recovery. It's not easy being addicted. It's not easy being in recovery. However, once we accept it and enter into recovery, the doors to peace, serenity and many beautiful things open up. Michael Boccia adds to the discussion by sharing how under…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber links an old familiar song "It's the End of the World as we Know it" with the coming of the new year and how it relates to recovery. Like the line of the song finishes "and I feel fine", so to is the end of substance abuse and the advent of recovery. Many people stay in active addi…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber discusses the necessity of taking healthy risks if we are going to achieve desired healthy results. Michael Boccia adds to the discussion by utilizing a metaphor of a cow and its tail to demonstrate how we already have everything we need to be healthy and successful in life. Listen…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group host David Gerber talks about becoming a store customer in recovery. We all know what a window shopper is, and many people enter into recovery "just browsing." What happens when we become store customers and dive into our recovery? The possibilities are endless. Listen in as the miracles that are exp…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber discusses how the popular kids toy Stretch Armstrong can be related to the recovery process. Like Stretch Armstrong, individuals in treatment and recovery that stretch themselves out of their comfort zone, and take healthy risks are more likely to reap the rewards of recovery. Mich…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group host David Gerber discusses the 3 elements necessary to make any change to attain virtually anything in life. These elements are "Work, Stress and Time". David discusses the empowering message behind these elements as being elements that we are all capable of when we want something bad enough. Michae…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber relates the following Oscar Wilde quote to recovery: "A cynic knows the price of everything , and the value of nothing." Many people enter into treatment and recovery as "yes but" people. They look at the negatives in recovery, the loss of their drug of choice but don't pay attenti…

Met fans going back to 1973 remember the phrase "You Gotta Believe". In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber re-phrases this famous saying to "You Wanna Believe". The reality is that we don't have to believe anything, but rather, our emotions and behaviors tend to follow what it is that we choose to believe, and when we …

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber discusses the concept of how the world changes when we get sober. It's not really that the world changes, but how the world seems different when we look at it through sober eyes. Michael Boccia adds to the discussion by discussing how in the Wizard of Oz, that the wizard doesn't do…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber discusses the word "Impossible" and demonstrates how the very word says that "I'm Possible." In early treatment and recovery, people tend to think that the fruits of recovery are meant for others and not themselves. It becomes a self-defeating process. The truth is recovery is poss…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group, host David Gerber discusses the frequent commercial tag line "Past Performance Does Not Guarantee Future Results." Often times people enter into treatment thinking that because they have been unsuccessful in the past, that they have no hope for a future. This investment commercial tagline can work i…

In the latest edition of the Encouragement Group host David Gerber discusses how just as flowers open and bloom in nature, one must also open up in recovery in order to become the beautiful person they are meant to be. Many people are willing to go to treatment, but we bloom in recovery when we open ourselves up to trusting and being vulnerable. Mi…

In the latest edition of the encouragement group host David Gerber discusses the recovery messages found in the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie. Here we identify can do people who make mistakes, but ultimately achieve more than just their goals when the choose to do the work and be honest. Michael Boccia chimes in by discussing the impo…

David Gerber, Adminstrative Director of Counseling & Shelter Services at St. Christopher's Inn speaks with Radio Host Debbie Nigro about the dangers of legalizing marijuana for recreational use.Oleh St Christophers Inn Recovery Show

This week’s show is hosted by Marianne Taylor-Rhoades, COO of St. Christopher’s Inn. Marianne interviews David Gerber, Director of Counseling and Shelter Services, about the dangers of Marijuana. The issue is timely considering that the States of Washington and Colorodo just voted to allow the legal use of recreational Marijuana in the recent elect…

The inaugural podcast for St. Christopher’s Inn Recovery Radio! The first episode features interviews with President and CEO Fr. Bill Drobach and COO Marianne Taylor-Rhoades along with Alumni President Matthew N. Find out about the history of the Inn, and what makes St. Christopher’s so special. Matthew gives a detailed account of his journey to re…