Social Media and Spreading the Word about the Harmful Effects of Addiction

Social Media and Spreading the Word about the Harmful Effects of Addiction

April 17, 2010, 12:53 pm
Filed under: 1 | Tags: 91301, 91302, agoura hills psychotherapy, Agoura Psychotherapy, alcoholism, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, calabasas pcyotherapy, camarillo psychotherapy, celebrity rehab, cocaine counseling, couples counseling, depression, divorce, dr drew pinsky, Law of Sobriety, Malibu Psychotherapy, marriage counseling, meth addiction, moorpark psychotherapy, Newbury Park Psychotherapy, post traumatic stress disorder, psychiatry, psychology, Simi Valley Psychotherapy, trauma, Westlake Village Psychotherapy

 

I had no idea I would be writing this weekend about this subject but after getting a very disturbing email from another Psychotherapist this week, who I thought was my friend, I have no choice.  When I blog, I blog from my heart, and when something calls me to express my thoughts on an important issue, I have no choice but to blog away about it. 

I have used Facebook, Twitter, and my Blog for at least three years to express subject matter related to my field.  I have written about subjects ranging from adolescents and the dangers of pain medication, baby boomers and addiction, and finding your life purpose in sobriety, as well as a host of other blogs related to many important mental health issues.  It was only in the last few weeks I started to write about my upcoming book, “The Law of Sobriety.”  The book is a great resource for anyone new in sobriety and for those who have a secure sobriety and wanting to discover “What’s next?”  for them now that they have embraced a clean and sober lifestyle. 

My goals for facebook and blogging never was intended to be used like an email to contact friends,  although it has been a blast finding old friends from the past.  I thought it was a vehicle that college students were using and then discovered us baby boomers could enjoy the many aspects facebook has to offer.  Then when twitter came around, I didn’t even hook it up to my phone and still haven’t.  I thought how cool it would be to write inspirational quotes and to continue to meet other like minded individuals in recovery and in the mental health arena. 

Well, this supposed friend wrote to me that she doesn’t use Faceboook for marketing and that it wouldn’t be fair to her friends.  She doesn’t write about work and would not use her personal Facebook page as a marketing tool.  She believes talking about herself is “too indulgent” and that anyone who uses Facebook or Twitter as a marketing tool should be embarrassed and expect to be un-friended. 

I sat there like a deer in headlights not believing what she wrote on my wall.  I was at first hurt, then baffled.  For the most part, my Facebook messages have been inspirational quotes, articles and blogs related to addictions, and just recently blurbs about my book.  I haven’t tried to get clients, sell products, or anything remotely related to a  full blown “Sherry Gaba” marketing campaign.  Yes, now that my book is coming out, I hope to reach as many people as I can who will benefit from what I have to share.  I work endlessly helping clients day in and day out in one on one sessions helping them getting sober, stay sober, and to live a joyous and free life while sober.   

I am so grateful that this book opportunity came up for me and I will proudly share it with anyone who is interested in reading it.  Thank you to all my Facebook Friends who have commented on my wall supporting everything I do.  You have re-affirmed what I already knew, but to be acknowledged by others who work in recovery or are in recovery, is beyond a blessing.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Sherry Gaba, LCSW, is a Psychotherapist and Life Coach who works in addictions in Agoura Hills, CA.  She is the Psychotherapist and Life Coach on Celebrity Rehab 2 and 3 with Dr. Drew. Her new book “The Law of Sobriety” will be out in September 2010.  She also works with other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, as well as with adolescents, single parents, couples, and, divorce and co-parenting.  She can be reached at sherry@sgabatherapy.com or www.sgabatherapy.com. http://www.sgabatherapy.com/AgouraHillsPsychotherapy.en.html

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