[Podcast] Learning How to Do Life

Chuck Novak’s life hasn’t always been easy.  A substance use problem led to five years in prison.  While incarcerated, Chuck decided to use his time to change his life for the better.  He earned a paralegal certificate and started on a path to recovery.  Today, Chuck is a Master Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and a SMART Recovery Regional Coordinator in New Hampshire. 

In the podcast, Chuck talks about:

• His experiences with addiction and being incarcerated
• How simple decisions were difficult after being released
• Changing the vocabulary for returning citizens
• How he became interested in becoming a counselor
• Using SMART tools within the tools during his meetings
• The role of regional coordinators is morphing
• Implementing “Operation Bed Bug”
• How the InsideOut: A SMART Recovery Correctional Program® aligns with the Federal Bureau of Prisons programing
• Consulting for the  Drug and Mental Health Courts in New Hampshire
• Learning how to do life
• Discovering there is Life Beyond Addiction

Additional resources:

• Successful Life Skills
• 25 in 25 Volunteer Spotlight: Chuck Novak
• Tom Horvath
• DISARM Tool
• ABC Tool
• Hierarchy of Values (HOV) tool
• Irrational beliefs
• Lifestyle Balance
• Vital Absorbing Creative Interest (VACI)
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
• Books by Viktor Frankl
• Albert Ellis Institute
• Becoming a SMART volunteer

• Apple iTunes
• Google Play
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• RadioPublic
• The SMART Recovery YouTube channel

Click here to find all of SMART Recovery’s podcasts

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If you are interested in addiction recovery support, we encourage you to visit the SMART Recovery website.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

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We look forward to you joining the conversation!

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