In a perfect world, the singular purpose of one's participation on Coming Clean Today should be based upon an internally-driven search to better determine what it will take to achieve stability and lasting personal success in one's life.
While many of the discussion board forums and topic categories found here directly relate to those individuals who continue their work to overcome substance-involvement, chemical dependency, or other high-risk behaviors; it has been suggested for many years (at least by the operator of this web site) that, "... what's good for recovering substance abusers is good for everyone ... irregardless of whether they have ever experienced substance-involved problems or not."
Therefore, Coming Clean Today is, at it's very foundation, a place for personal investment toward the goal of continued emotional growth and self-development. Another window into what this is all about may be recognized upon a simple examination of the colorful words which you can see above. If one can place their own meaning on each of these words ... as it relates to one's own life ... and then apply and integrate that meaning into their daily behaviors ... on a consistent basis ... they will likely have attained the increased level of self-development that they initially sought (to achieve).
And throughout the process, you are provided the opportunity to carefully consider alternative points-of-view, to honestly express your thoughts, feelings, attitudes, opinions, questions, and concerns ... and receive direct responses from a sincere group of your own peers ... all supervised and moderated by an experienced mental health professional ... consider this scenario a truly hot ticket.
We hope to welcome you aboard aboard ... and then hold on!
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For those who have never participated in a discussion board forum, the fundamentals in doing so are really quite simple. We suggest that you read through the permanent topics that are contained within each discussion Forum and find one or more Topic Categories that appeal to you in some way. Begin then to read each discussion thread, starting with the subject (first) post, and continue reading subsequent posts in order to follow and understand the discussion. You may then respond to either the initial, the last, or any of the other discussion posts found within the discussion thread. |
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It is not uncommon for new subscribers to review discussion threads for some while before they make the transition from a role as "a passive observer" to one of "active participant," and it's out-of-the-realm that one could further their own personal growth and emotional development without ever posting at all ...
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To get things moving, oftentimes the Board Moderator or another Subscriber will begin a new, focused discussion thread within a forum category. A new discussion thread may also be started within the General Discussion category found in most of the forums. The General Discussion category is intended to provide subscribers with an increased level of discussion topic flexibility ... while still relating to the topic framework set forth within the forum.
Once you have begun a new discussion thread (well congratulations ... we knew that you could do it), other Subscribers will be compelled to respond. Responses to your post can come from a few different perspectives. They may directly address the questions or concerns that were outlined in your post.. Some responders may choose to relate by sharing their own similar circumstances, situations, or personal experiences. There may also be instances when the Board Moderator will respond directly to your post. Sometimes a more introspective frame of reference or point-of-view can get participants really thinking, and subsequent posts really moving. |
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If you are still wondering what the kite photos (above) are all about, they serve to illustrate how the discussion board works. A person (you) begin a new discussion thread, and others respond to your post. The discussion will usually expand to more in-depth aspects on the subject and other creative ways of thinking about your initial post, and the posts that follow. This back-and-forth and in-response-to discussion can greatly illuminate the horizons of the (your) original post. It is in this manner that the discussion board can be deemed "therapeutic."
When any Subscriber is away from the board, as one cannot realistically live on Coming Clean Today both day and night, they (hopefully) will be compelled to utilize what they have further learned about themselves, and practice a little hands-on application out there in the real world.
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And in general, this is how the discussion board works.
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Craig Rich is ThoughtWheel's founder, and a MODERATOR on a number of the company's online discussion boards.
Craig is a Clinical Social Worker with 15+ years of licensed clinical and private practice experience, with a chosen specialization in the issues surrounding chemical dependency and addiction. Having been on both sides of the fence; Craig is a 1985 graduate of the Straight & Narrow long-term residential treatment facility, located in Paterson, New Jersey.
He has worked extensively with both adolescent and adult treatment populations in conducting individual, group, and family therapy sessions, within all of the following treatment modalities: medical detoxification, short-term residential, long-term residential, halfway house, and outpatient treatment settings.
Craig earned his graduate degree in Clinical Social Work from The University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration (1992), and an undergraduate degree cum laude from Rutgers University (1990), New Brunswick, New Jersey.
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