The Estate News & Blog

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, a time that we need to be raising awareness on the epidemic of substance misuse and addiction. This is creating such a detrimental affect on countless individuals, families, and communities, and in actuality, the world that we are living in today.

Lately, I’ve been hearing recurring comments among clients, friends, and family members. They all seem to be focused on thoughts and feelings that their lives no longer have meaning or purpose. They feel stuck, unsure of the next direction they want to take.

Soberman's Estate was founded in honor of two men. The Soberman's Estate Founder's Brother (Jeff Prager) and his Best Friend (Jerry Josen) who committed suicide as a direct result of alcoholism. Jerry's daughter wrote the following paper. 

At Soberman’s Estate, we are privileged to be under the stewardship of extraordinary fathers whose dedication and commitment we aspire to acknowledge and honor, not just today, but each and every day. Among these remarkable individuals, we wish to extend our heartfelt acknowledgement to our esteemed Founding Father, Mitch Prager. Mitch, aside from being the proud parent to two wonderful daughters, is also the visionary who breathed life into the establishment of Soberman’s Estate, which he affectionately refers to as his “baby”. This unique and extraordinary sanctuary serves as a transformative haven where men in recovery can genuinely embrace and realize their full potential as outstanding fathers, nurturing lasting family relationships.

As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, let’s pause and consider how our earth can be a tool to help men recover from alcoholism and addictions.

On April 7, 2023, a remarkable event took place at Soberman's Estate in Cave Creek, Arizona, addressing the pressing issue of treating traumatic stress and addictions. The participants were serenaded by the calming sound of a local Native American Flute Artist, as well as savoring a remarkable lunch meticulously crafted and served by Chef Steve Sordo. Lunch was prepared with fresh ingredients from the greenhouse located on the estate property. The workshop was led by experts, Dr. Thomas Gazda, a board-certified addiction psychiatrist, and Jerry Ehmann, LPC, LISAC, NCC. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the latest evidence-based treatment approaches for individuals struggling with trauma and addiction, followed by a tour of the facility and a chance to meet the therapeutic providers. In this blog post, we'll recap the key takeaways from the event and share our thoughts on the essential lessons learned.

It was the famed British psychoanalyst and pediatrician, Donald Winnicott MD who coined the term "false self" - a universal phenomenon that we all suffer from in a matter of degrees. To function in society we may have to say "please" when we are not pleased and "thank you" when we are not feeling any gratitude. This need to comply with social norms can go way beyond such niceties and can for instance suppress such basic human emotions as anger and sexual desire so that such expressions coming from the "true"self are unable to be processed, digested and made peace with.

“Staying clean” also known as not drinking or using, is easier while being cared for in a Residential Treatment Center. Although residential treatment teaches individuals the tools they need to succeed, it is said that the ‘real work begins’ once a client leaves rehab.  

Being Jewish, having family members in addiction recovery, and now working for a treatment center for alcoholism and addiction, I wanted to learn more about Purim, and the commandment to drink. I had the opportunity to (virtually) sit down and learn with Rabbi Dr. Chaim Meyer Tureff to learn about the roots of Purim, how serious is this commandment, and what does it mean for the recovery community and their and loved ones?