Our Blog - Strive

Thera-me: Of Gratitude and Service

November 08, 2018

Thera-me is a series of blog posts by Strive clinicians, reflecting their thoughts and experiences as they work to create the most effective substance use care possible. The author today, Deborah McKinley, is Strive/VFR Vice President of Program Development.

It’s Tuesday evening in North Jersey and I’m driving to our facility in Paramus, full of curiosity and more than a little anxious. It’s our first VFR Women’s Veterans Support Group and its so damned important. Yes, we’ve all—our staff at Paramus—been totally into this first part of what will soon become a much bigger program to support women vets… Read More

VFR/Strive Launches First Women Veterans Support Group

November 07, 2018

Last week, VFR/Strive launched our first Women Veterans Support Group. Based in Paramus, NJ, it is the first in a wider series of steps by VFR/Strive to support mental health for women vets. We are excited and honored to host this group, and to bring the special VFR/Strive brand of Veteran-designed and -led treatment for PTSD, substance abuse, and… Read More

Strive Paramus Will be Part of New Jersey’s Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day on October 6

October 02, 2018

A key part of the unique holistic treatment offered by Strive is our partnership with the communities in which we work. As part of this community connection, Strive Paramus will be an enthusiastic participant in New Jersey's third annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day on October 6. The day has seen 10,000 or more people mobilized state-wide to hold educational events, distribute pamphlets and… Read More

Strive Clinician Leads Training in ‘SMART Recovery’ in Southern California prison system: ‘We give them back their humanity.’

September 25, 2018

For people living out a jail sentence, visits from family are a lifeline. "When a visit doesn't happen I get upset and then I get angry," says one incarcerated person at the California Institution for Women (CIW), in Chino, California, "and when I get angry that's when I want to get high." Triggers like this are plentiful for incarcerated people,… Read More

Thera-me: Thankful for Socks

September 25, 2018

Thera-me is a series of blog posts by Strive clinicians, reflecting their thoughts and experiences as they work to create the most effective substance use care possible. The author today is Deborah McKinley, is Strive/VFR Vice President of Clinical Operations.

In my work and in my life I am often challenged to think about gratitude and what it means to be grateful. I especially find this challenging when things are not going my way, i.e. I’m running carpool for three different kids and their friends, dinner burns, and the dryer breaks down…you get the picture. In my work has a… Read More

Thera-me: Second Thoughts About UDS (yes, that’s urine screening)

August 28, 2018

Thera-me is a series of blog posts by Strive clinicians, reflecting their thoughts and experiences as they work to create the most effective substance use care possible. The author today is Deborah McKinley, is Strive/VFR Vice President of Clinical Operations.

Sure, the subject is a little awkward for most people, but clinically, in substance use treatment, Urine Drug Screening—UDS--is an everyday thing. “Which lab do you use?” “Did the samples go out today? “Does this sample need a confirmation?” Welcome to my world. When it comes up in my work with clients, as in “I peed dirty for my PO,”… Read More

Gary Demetre Josebeck

July 06, 2018

Gary Demetre Josebeck June 4, 1992 ~ July 4, 2018 (age 26) Gary Demetre Josebeck, 26, the artist, activist and advocate behind Art for Recovery and Transformation passed away on Wednesday July 4, 2018. Gary (or Demetre, as he was known in the art community) lost his battle with the demons of substance abuse. He was kind, passionate and hard working. No matter… Read More