Inner Pursuit of Happiness: a survival guide to the other side of darkness

by David Russell

Overview

Feeling overwhelmed and struggling to keep going? Are you using alcohol, or other things, just trying to survive another day? Addiction comes in many forms, often not even recognized for what it is... a human response in an attempt to escape suffering. Not an inherited disease of the brain, or a moral failure, or weakness of character. As Dr. Gabor Mate explains it, "Addition is any behavior that gives temporary relief and pleasure, but has negative consequences, and yet the person cannot stop."
To live is to suffer; to find meaning in that suffering is survival. Let's do more than just find meaning, let's find a purpose to life and rise above the suffering. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery, listening to our 'shadow self' while learning the source of our pain. I promote behavioral transformation by redirecting the damage of pain to a force of positive growth, adopting new attitudes and reactions to life. In this book, I've provided knowledge, tools, and techniques to guide you into this light, helping you see beauty again.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798855651690
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	06/22/2023
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	236,031
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.64(d)

About the Author

David N. Russell is an Internationally Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional - Diplomate, specializes in addiction recovery & mental health counseling. His post-graduate education was originally in Neuropsychology, after having worked 23-yrs in Occupational Therapy, focusing on treatment of traumatic brain injuries. Later, changed his career to Forensic Psychology, where he worked as a Drug Court Advisor to the 14th Judicial District in Arkansas, & eventually became a Substance Abuse Program Leader for the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Area-2. He's also certified by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Training as a Specialized Law Enforcement Instructor. With over 15-yrs of experience in this field, he has helped a multitude of individuals overcome their challenges & transform their lives from more than addiction alone.
David holds a master's degree in counseling psychology from Liberty University, a 2nd master's degree in occupational therapy from Belmont University, and a 3rd master's degree in clinical psychology at Forest Institute of Professional Psychology (where he was also a doctoral candidate). Following his reluctant retirement from the State of Arkansas due to a partial paralysis from spinal stenosis, he received two successful spinal surgeries & a total hip replacement regaining limited ability to walk. He remains current with his credentials as a certified substance abuse counselor for co-occurring disorders.
His passion for supporting those in need stems from his personal journey of overcoming mental illness, addiction, multiple arrests, & finding renewed purpose in life. Having experience the struggles firsthand, David brings empathy and understanding to his work, providing practical strategies & insights to empower others in their recovery.
His therapeutic approach is grounded in Jungian Psychoanalysis & heavily influenced by Internal Family System Therapy. It's from these 2 schools of thought this book was written as an extra tool for others who struggle with Personality Disorders/Traits feeling forever trapped by addiction & the legal system. It seems more cost effective to build more prisons to control criminal behavior then spend money on mental health that may be able to offer a cure. He is dedicated to raising awareness about addition within the criminal justice system & promoting holistic approaches to healing during recovery. Learn more about David & his work at www.innerpursuitofhappiness.com