
Today, Paul Adams speaks with our Clinical Director, Dr. Maureen Knapik-Esposito. Maureen has a Doctorate in Family Therapy, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). She has also done extensive work in the field of eating disorders.
Paul: Directing a team of highly educated therapists must have its challenges. Are there ever disagreements about the direction needed for treating a particular patient?
Maureen: We approach every case as a team. Each of our therapists is highly educated and trained. Each one brings to the table a different talent and understanding about drug and alcohol addiction. All of our clients are discussed, in-depth, with input from the Primary Therapist, the Medical Director, the Treatment Team, as well as myself, to determine each client’s specific needs. A multidisciplinary approach is most effective.
Paul: What do you find to be among the biggest challenges in treating addiction?
Maureen: Today, society has become very harsh. We are seeing multigenerational addictions, clients often having parents and grandparents with severe alcohol and drug addiction histories. Quite often our clients have not grown up in functional families and this has become very challenging in terms of treatment. Many times clients need to learn what is healthy and what is not healthy or effective behavior. Our family program helps to educate not only clients, but their families, as well.
Paul: How would you describe a good day at work?
Maureen: Breakthroughs. When I see, “The light go on” in a client’s eyes and they become aware of new information or new feelings. Many clients come into the program with great fear and even hopelessness. It is very rewarding to see clients develop the ability to take responsibility for themselves and develop hope that they can be sober and have a better life. They begin to receive the care and nurturing of the staff and drop their defenses. They begin to connect the dots of recovery and happiness.
Paul: Do you have any tricks with regard to handling a bad day at work?
Maureen: Our company has a philosophy of self-care. Each staff member is encouraged to have a healthy and happy personal life. We, as therapists, model behaviors for clients all day. Those behaviors not only include effective communication, assertiveness, and truth telling, but also how to have fun and cope with life stresses. I have many hobbies and enjoy a good family life. When the day is very stressful, I watch Dancing With the Stars to chill out. Somehow it works for me.
Paul: What attracted you to this challenging field?
Maureen: I’ve always been interested in how people cope with life and how they make decisions. I believe in balance and have been able to communicate the rewards of living a balanced life with our clients. I have been with Alternatives In Treatment since 1994 and have seen many people coming in for help. Many are desperate for help, while others are just window-shopping. There is room for all. My joy is to see those clients move from desperation to serenity, from hopelessness to hopefulness, from unhappiness to acceptance and happiness. There are miracles that I witness every day along with the sadness I feel when someone does not make it.
Paul: What do you find are some obstacles to a person’s recovery?
Maureen: Stress, family history, peer group pressure, and lack of willingness to follow direction. In general, life poses many challenges. The successful client surrenders to the process, takes direction, puts faith in the staff, and is willing to take a chance on the fellowship. At Alternatives in Treatment, we pride ourselves on being able to provide a kind, nurturing atmosphere in which clients can pick up the pieces of their lives and learn a new way of living life. This life encompasses self-care, honesty, and responsibility.
Paul: What hobbies or activities occupy your time when you’re not at work?
Maureen: Reading, biking, gardening, traveling, the theater, and most importantly, friends and family.
Paul: South Florida has a number of excellent restaurants. Do you have any favorites to recommend?
Maureen: I recently had a wonderful dinner at Café Max in Pompano Beach. This is a Mom and Pop restaurant, not a chain. Good food and a lovely atmosphere.
Paul: Lately people have been talking about a couple new movies that center on addiction. Do you have a favorite movie that tackles addiction in a way that strikes a chord with you?
Maureen: An old film that was beautifully done, was, “The Days of Wine and Roses”. It shows a marriage torn apart by alcohol addiction. The more modern one, that I think took a lot of the fear out of entering treatment, is “28 Days”. I believe movies, as well as novels, can lower a person’s fear of treatment and for those in denial it can be a real eye-opener. A movie that comes to mind is, “When a Man Loves a Woman”. This is a great example of what alcoholism does to an entire family. The outcome is very realistic.
Paul: Thank you for spending time with us and for all that you do to contribute to the successful treatment and recovery of so many patients.
Maureen: It’s been fun. Let’s do this again.
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