SaveLevi

Who is this in the photo?

I'm a psychotherapist specializing in addiction treatment. In the past few years, I have seen a trend toward clients choosing inpatient facilities that are out of town, specifically to Florida (I live on the NE). There are benefits and risks to leaving the area--yes, you are afforded the change to recover away from risky environments, but it's more difficult to involve family in treatment if you're hundreds of miles away. Also, at some point, most people have to return home and sometimes are unprepared for all that comes with it. However, the local rehabs are often revolving doors, with the same clients coming and going, and many triggers are involved with revisiting the same facilities again and again. It becomes part of the cycle. Stats say that it takes the average addict 3-5 goes at treatment before he can experience LT recovery. And really, aside from the family piece, if you're going to do a treatment program, 30-90 days down the block or five states away doesn't really make much different, as far as employment, bills, etc. is concerned. I would probably say that if someone has the opportunity to leave the area, it's not a bad option, again providing that there is some remote involvement with family members, and that a sensible, safe home plan is worked out. If Amber already knows that she is going away for 90 days, sounds like she was referred for D&A treatment at a long-term facility. There is also an increase in the number of trauma-informed inpatient programs popping up. I guess that's what Cate has been doing.

I haven't posted in a Smallville-related forum in years, but had to come find this when I read the story. Jesus Christ. I was a big Chloe fan in the day, and have read or viewed tons of AM interviews, then her blog. She always seemed sweet, but a little bit lost. She appears to have been a perfect target. Unfortunately, you don't get to abuse and destroy other people because you've been hurt yourself. Although I can't say I don't feel sorry for how her life has devolved, she is an extremely dangerous person and should be removed from society for the safety of others. Mostly, i am horrified for her victims.

It was not lost on me that the Buddy beach scene was a conversation between two addicts with different drugs of choice. I believe that Whitney wants Buddy to be healthy and succeed, and it's a shame that she can't get the same kind of help he has gotten. I do have compassion for Whitney, as I believe her issues are very complex and that she's in an incredible amount of denial and pain. She's been enabled for her entire life, and this show just serves to continue the trend. I wondered, what would Whitney think if Buddy got his own show based on his life addicted to alcohol and cocaine, and tried to send the same message about loving himself, calling it a celebration of self-acceptance? Getting healthy and being honest are not goals that develop in spite of loving oneself--they are goals we set BECAUSE we love ourselves, and want to live our most authentic, fulfilling life. Simply, admitting that you're too heavy is not about self-shame, it's about caring enough to get your act together. Which, look, is not easy--if it were, we wouldn't have an epidemic of addiction. And make no mistake--Whitney and Buddy are NO different when it comes to being addicts. That said, I may be alone in this, but I do genuinely think Whitney is a good person. She just needs a kick in the ass and a good dose of reality. She has not learned to accept life on life's terms, but rather has tried to manipulate the world to accommodate her unhealthy behavior. Like most addicts, she's entitled and doesn't like to be told NO. In the end, yes, it's her life and if she's happy, whatever, but it's really frustrating to watch it all unfold so sadly.

I've been a psychotherapist for many years. I currently work in a prison. David is the scariest motherfucker I've ever seen.

I don't actually! I moved to PA in 2005. I live in Bucks County now, but my parents still live on SI, so I visit now and then. Sort of by the zoo. :)

I'm a little older than Amber, but Wu-Tang was super popular back in the day. Of course, I'm from Staten Island, so...

Kail pulled a real shit move on Javi. I understand that his wheels have been spinning and his emotional state has deteriorated over the past few months. However, legal right or not, his showing up to the house was super creepy. Just because he can't be arrested for it doesn't mean he should feel free to pop up unannounced like a herpes outbreak. My girl Vee is not here for Kail, and I LOVE it. Jo is bending over backwards (or as far back as he can get, is he eating his feelings?) to try and please Kail for the sake of peace, but it's a little bit much. Kail created this drama and while I applaud Jo's support for Isaac's sake, I also see why Vee has had it with his blind loyalty. Vee is clearly over Kail, I need to see more of that.

It's weird. Nathan and David often seem to get long fine. There's no way in HELL my husband's ex would tell their kids to even acknowledge my existence, let alone ask them to say good-bye and I love you. It's very odd how civil they appear to be. Even David's response to Nathan's drunken "I'm moving to England" text in the previews was pretty neutral and he could've been a real dick about it. Sometimes I think if David didn't have such a shady past, maybe it would be good for him to take control of the situation because Jenelle is so volatile. Then he comes out with some shit-stirring nonsense like "NATHAN ISN'T COMING HERE" for no fucking reason other than to be a dick. I don't know, all these people make me nuts.

This is so incredibly offensive that I actually forgot what I came here to post. Hats off!

I agree with Vee's sentiment. BTDT. But to file some paperwork or ask Kail to sign something while the Javi crap is blowing up would probably be asking for trouble. I don't think Jo is paying child support, or at least it's under what the court-ordered amount would be. Now that Javi's income is gone, you know Jo's got to be worried that Kail will try to get more support out of hime. Isaac is still very young, and that's a LOT of years to pay. Jo may actually have to get a job. Horror! So wait, Jenelle and David are upset because Nathan's mother took Kaiser to church but Nathan wasn't there? That's it? I was waiting for more to that story, like Nathan dropped Kaiser off for the whole weekend. "I just found out that Nathan took a shit while Kaiser was there. He should be shitting on his own time, that's not how you spend your visitation!" FF'd through Chelsea's stuff. Who cares. Leah at least seems sober.

You're so right, yet I'm not shocked at Javi's behavior. I remember a previous season when Javi had his panties in a bunch because Kail got a text from some guy before going to a concert with friends, and in return Javi refused to take Isaac to Jo's as he had agreed to do. He said some shit about Isaac not being his responsibility. He went cold so fast when shit got messy.

Jenelle is just such a mentally ill individual. She fully buys into her own bullshit and delusion. It's sad and scary. Poor kids. Chelsea whatever. Kail...there's clearly a shitton more going on than we know about. I think Javi sounded cold, but this is about a LOT more than babies. I do think Kail is really saying, "I don't want more kids WITH YOU." I feel so sorry for poor Isaac. Leah, you don't get to dictate how Jeremy spends his time with his kid. It sucks, maybe, but it's just reality. She may be over drama with Miranda, but she's going hard with this new chick. Also, while she looks too thin, I'll say that she doesn't look cracked out. It makes sense that she was/is dating a personal trainer, but she needs to increase her caloric intake as she's looking 35 instead of 25. Her arms looked good, though. Nice little tone.

We do daughter/"special person" events here (Bucks County, PA). Adam is so dumb that I could conceive of him not understanding the meaning of this and having no idea it involved him.

It really saddened me to hear anyone refer to Miranda as "lazy bitch." She's a first-time mom with a preemie and two difficult stepdaughters who have a sick mother. Miranda isn't perfect--who is?--but she's got a lot to manage and it seems like she does a very adequate job. I'm a stepmother to a child with special needs. My husband has primary custody. I've been accused of all sorts of things over the years--sometimes, there was some truth but kids are not reliable sources much of the time. Their perceptions are valid, but there needs to be some realism applied. In these contentious situations re: custody, every little word, action, and decision is put under the microscope and analyzed to death. It's exhausting. Parents aren't perfect, and if you're looking to catch a mistake, you'd probably find one. Jenelle's list-o-symptoms was longer than her rap sheet. Listening to her and David have a conversation is really mind-numbing. Where and when the relationship went wrong for Javi and Kail I don't know, but those two really ought to call it a day. They're both miserable and the relationship is extremely toxic. My older daughter's father needs a lot of prompting to be involved. I know that I shouldn't HAVE to do it, but it's for my child. When you choose a less-than-stellar person to be a parent to your kid, you have to take some responsibility and step up if that's what is necessary for your child to feel loved and supported. My husband is Dad in almost every sense, but she wants her biological father involved despite his shittiness. Chelsea was thirsty for Adam's attention both for her AND for Aubree until she met Cole--now she wants to erase Adam and frankly, that's not how it works.