Beyond Abstinence: Rethinking Substance Use Treatment, Boundaries, and Recovery with Julie River
What if recovery wasn’t just about stopping the use of a substance — but about understanding why it was there in the first place?
In this episode, I speak with Julie River, LPC, NCC, clinical director and therapist at Atlas Behavioral Health, about what truly person-centered substance use treatment can look like. We explore the daily experience of clients in recovery programs, the role of group therapy, and how therapists can support emotional sobriety, boundary-setting, and harm reduction with empathy and nuance.
Whether you’re a clinician, student, or someone navigating their own healing journey, Julie brings thoughtful insight into how treatment can move beyond stereotypes — and toward connection, curiosity, and lasting change.
What We Talk About
What real substance use disorder treatment looks like
Julie walks us through the structure of day-to-day life at Atlas Behavioral Health, where clients engage in a mix of individual and group therapy, mindfulness work, and other innovative therapeutic tools — including yoga and body-based practices.
The role of co-occurring disorders and trauma
Clients often arrive with both substance use challenges and mental health diagnoses. Julie shares how co-occurring disorders can shift over the course of treatment, and how underlying trauma can sometimes go unrecognized — but is almost always present.
Group dynamics and emotional growth
Therapy isn’t just about the individual. Julie explains how interpersonal dynamics in group settings can become mirrors for deeper emotional work — especially around themes like blame, resentment, and emotional regulation.
Boundaries, emotional sobriety, and the spectrum of addiction
Recovery isn't a one-size-fits-all journey. Julie breaks down the concept of emotional sobriety, explores the spectrum of addiction, and discusses the difference between abstinence-based approaches and harm reduction. We also talk about sober curiosity, and why it’s a valid, empowering step for many people.
Challenging addiction stereotypes
There are still a lot of myths around what treatment “should” look like. Julie unpacks common misconceptions about addiction, and how therapists can check their own biases and focus on client autonomy and dignity.
Who This Episode Is For
Therapists and counselors supporting clients with substance use or co-occurring disorders
Mental health professionals looking to integrate person-centered, trauma-informed care
Individuals exploring their own relationship to substances, emotional regulation, or recovery
Students in counseling or social work programs wanting insight into real-world practice
Anyone curious about harm reduction, emotional sobriety, or nonjudgmental care
