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Abuse and Recovery Articles
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- Beyond Anon: The Next 12 Steps - by Some 65 years ago, Bill Wilson the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, proclaimed that during one of his darkest times, “a bright light” appeared to him with the 12 Steps of AA, offering him sobriety. And since that date, millions have found help through the program! Likewise, there have been many ...
Views: 2283 - Codependency: Don’t Dance! (revised) - by Submitted on Jul 21, 2013 from Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed. LCPC CADCCodependency: Don’t Dance! Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed., LCPC, CADC www.HumanMagnetSyndrome.com www.RossRosenbergTherapy.com Codependency: Don’t Dance! The “codependency dance” requires two people: the pleaser/fixer and the taker/controller. This inherently dysfunctional dance requires ...
Views: 2280(2 votes) - Childhood LONELINESS (Part 1) - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2012 from Donna TorbicoDefinition of LONELINESS (L) • Sadness resulting from being forsaken or abandoned • Feeling a strong sense of emptiness, yearning, distress and solitude, from an inadequate quantity or quality of social relationships • Social pain — a psychological mechanism meant to alert people of being ...
Views: 2272(1 vote) - Teenage Alcoholism: 7 Tips to Getting Your Teen Clean - by Submitted on Oct 21, 2010 from Sarita UhrAs a psychiatrist that specializes in addiction (including teenage alcoholism and teenage drug abuse), I am amazed at how lax some parents are about teenage substance abuse. As every one who has raised a teen knows, it is the age where your child asserts his independence, and pushes back when ...
Views: 2272(4 votes) - Serenity and Expectations - Intimately Interrelated - by Submitted on Sep 14, 2011 from Robert Burney"I spent most of my life doing the Serenity prayer backwards, that is, trying to change the external things over which I had no control - other people and life events mostly - and taking no responsibility (except shaming and blaming myself) for my own internal process - over which I can have ...
Views: 2269 - Adult Depression and Childhood Abuse - by Submitted on May 25, 2012 from Roni Weisberg-RossOver the years I’ve discovered that a significant proportion of adult clients who present with depression have a history of childhood abuse. The abuse may have been sexual, physical and/or emotional. At first I attributed this to the fact that I specialize in abuse and many clients who come ...
Views: 2266(4 votes) - The Problem with Drug Treatment Centers - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2013 from Cheryl HinneburgThe biggest problem with addiction recovery is that there are so many people that have failed one or more times. This causes those to become discouraged when in reality it never was their fault that they were not successful. There are millions of addicts hooked on drugs or alcohol and ...
Views: 2266(1 vote) - Six Life Lessons from your Dad - How to choose your Friends and be a Good Friend yourself - by Submitted on Jul 19, 2009 from Rod ZimmermanLetter to my children, just before the start of their college year A father reflects upon his first 50 years in a letter to his college age children about how to wisely choose their friends. It started as private, family email. But the children realized the potential of this Life Lessons ...
Views: 2258(1 vote) - Forgiving vs. Forgetting - by Submitted on Dec 28, 2009 from Adrian CaminosThe phrase “Forgive and Forget” is a nice thought but one of those things that is hard to do in practice. My question is why do we link the two in the first place? I have heard some people say that once you forgive somebody for what they have done to you, you should then just move on and ...
Views: 2254(2 votes) - Ambient Abuse - by Submitted on Oct 04, 2007 from Sam VakninAmbient abuse is the stealth, subtle, underground currents of maltreatment that sometimes go unnoticed even by the victims themselves, until it is too late. Ambient abuse penetrates and permeates everything – but is difficult to pinpoint and identify. It is ambiguous, atmospheric, diffuse. Hence ...
Views: 2253 - The Sandusky Verdict and the Potential for Limitless Healing - by Submitted on Jun 27, 2012 from Richa BadamiToday marks the day the Sandusky verdict was announced. It is also the day when the healing for the children, families, communities and our nation begins. What happened at Penn State was a terrible tragedy. But as a witness to what transpired, what have we learned? Why not take a moment to ...
Views: 2252(1 vote) - Mind Technology Offers Hope, Healing and Empowerment for Abuse Survivors - by Submitted on Jul 12, 2010 from Patrick Porter, PhD, Creator Of The MindFitAbuse of any kind is one of the most tragic aspects of the human condition. Whether verbal, physical or sexual, abuse degrades the victim and burdens the person with a lifelong load of fear and guilt. Psychology can only go so far. Despite years of therapy and support groups, childhood abuse ...
Views: 2249 - Only One Out Of Ten Will Make It - by Submitted on May 07, 2011 from Patt MannaDid you ever hear this statement made around the rooms of recovery? Did you ever wonder where those statistics came from? Well I have a revelation for you. Read this and receive it. Ask your self where the other nine are? Go to the lost sheep! This is where the sponsor should come into your ...
Views: 2248(3 votes) - ACoAs: RESCUING - Unhealthy Helping - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2011 from Donna Torbico"I KNOW WHAT YOU NEED! I can take care of you, but not myself" Growing up in dysfunctional families, ACoAs were not allowed to fully develop their own personality & identity, attend to their own needs, or have their own feelings – about anything. We had no choice but to focus on our ...
Views: 2245 - Defining Moments, Insights and Affirmations that Help Us Survive Abuse - by Submitted on Nov 09, 2010 from Stephanie AltFor those who have grown up in less than ideal families subjected to one or more forms of abuse, some describe a defining moment that lifts them up and out of what feels like living hell. An intuitive insight or an amazing event creates a breakthrough clearing an emotional escape route towards ...
Views: 2245(1 vote) - Addressing The Types Of Gender Inequality Around The World (4): Sexual Child Abuse - by Submitted on Oct 16, 2011 from Dotun AdewunmiIf I had a daughter, she would be the most precious gift of my life. If I had a daughter, I would have already found one such gift; in her mother. If I were blessed with a daughter, I would do everything I could to protect her. And then, I would do a little more. What I've learned in this world, ...
Views: 2243(1 vote) - Recovery Happens - by Submitted on Sep 18, 2010 from Peter StoneI recently saw a banner — set in place for Recovery Month — that read: “Recovery Happens.” My question is: “What is implied here?” Words have meaning, and when those words are demonstrative of a process to behavioral change, people either simply disregard, are motivated by, or are intimidated by ...
Views: 2243(4 votes) - The Daily Homework - by Submitted on May 31, 2007 from Harry HenshawWe learn much of what we learn initially through repetitious exposure. It is by becoming present to something repeatedly that space is created for us to learn anew. It is by taking that which we are exposed to and bringing it forth into our life, committing it to action, that we begin to change ...
Views: 2239 - A Classification of Abusive Behaviors - by Submitted on May 13, 2009 from Sam VakninAbusive conduct is not a uniform, homogeneous phenomenon. It stems and emanates from multiples sources and manifests in a myriad ways. Following are a few useful distinctions which pertain to abuse and could serve as organizing, taxonomical principles (dimensional typologies) in a kind of ...
Views: 2235 - A Couple's Guide to Intimacy...When One of You is a Sexual Abuse Survivor - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2011 from Susie and Otto CollinsJeanette really wants to have a “normal” sex life with her husband Carl. The problem is her memories of being sexually abused as a child by a neighbor. It seems like whenever Carl touches her or talks to her in a sexually suggestive way, she freezes up. This has been a struggle for the two ...
Views: 2235 - PCAT – Pharmacy College Admission Test and PCAT Preparation - by Submitted on Jun 21, 2012 from Ashfaq RahmanIf you have a vision then you need a plan and if your aim is to get past the PCAT test then your plan needs to include the right tools for task including the most important – the PCAT software. Studying to become a pharmacologist is getting more difficult as admission into pharmacy schools is ...
Views: 2224(1 vote) - Child Abuse: Can Someone Feel More At Peace When They No Longer Need Anything From The People Who Abused Them? - by Submitted on Aug 14, 2018 from Oliver JR CooperIf someone was abused at the beginning of their life, it is likely to mean that they experienced a lot of pain during this time. In addition to this, most, if not all, of their development needs might not have been met. As a result of this, even though a number of years will have passed ...
Views: 2211 - Abuse: Is Grieving Unmet Childhood Needs An Important Part Of Ending The Cycle Of Abuse? - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2015 from Oliver JR CooperWhen someone is abused during their childhood years, they can end up doing the same thing and abusing others or they can put an end to the abuse. And based on how much pain one would have experienced when they were abused, it is often hard for people to understand why they would end up doing to ...
Views: 2209 - Female Sexual Abusers – Who are they? Part III - by Submitted on May 25, 2012 from Roni Weisberg-RossThere weren’t a lot of statistics, because no one thought it was a problem. But then in 1990, Ramsay–Klawsnick found that adult females were abusers of male adolescents 37% of the time and of female adolescents 19% of the time; and in six studies reviewed by Russell and FInkelhor, female ...
Views: 2209 - The Psychology of Torture - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2003 from Sam VakninThere is one place in which one's privacy, intimacy, integrity and inviolability are guaranteed - one's body, a unique temple and a familiar territory of sensa and personal history. The torturer invades, defiles and desecrates this shrine. He does so publicly, deliberately, repeatedly and, ...
Views: 2207(1 vote) - Child Abuse: Why Do Abused Children Idealise Their Parents? - by Submitted on Jan 22, 2015 from Oliver JR CooperAlthough there is no such thing as a perfect childhood, that doesn’t mean that everyone is treated in the same way. There are going to be some people who were treated well on most occasions and there are going to be others who had the opposite experience. In this case, one would have been ...
Views: 2203(1 vote) - Political Corruption In New York State - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2008 from Fred BanxState officials take down a respected health care facility because they were too successful. Despite the recent atrocities in New York that caused the removal of a now former Governor, Eliot Spitzer, what most people are unaware of is that the corruption doesn't stop there. The State of New ...
Views: 2200 - Signs Of Alcohol Abuse: When Use Becomes abuse. - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2011 from Charles SomerMany people often wonder what alcohol abuse is and what the signs of alcohol abuse are? While most people will find that they do drink a single drink every night, they will assume that this doesn't constitute abuse in any form. The truth of the matter is that there are different levels when it ...
Views: 2196(2 votes) - 20 Signs that you may have a problem with booze - by Submitted on May 23, 2010 from John McMahonYou know that you have got a problem with booze when: 1 before every party or social occasion your partner asks you “not to drink too much tonight”. 2 you feel that everyone in your company drinks too slowly or doesn’t know how to let their hair down and have a good time ...
Views: 2195 - “Survivor To Thriver”: Healing The Impact Of Childhood Abuse - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2008 from Lauri Allison LaBadieHealing the impact of childhood abuse is a difficult yet hopeful process. If you were physically or sexually abused as a child, you may often feel fragmented, confused, vulnerable, and somewhat chaotic inside. You may have difficulty with trust and intimacy in your relationships, and your ...
Views: 2193 - Abuse Me, Lose Me - by Submitted on Jan 14, 2004 from richard jonesIt's usually much easier to get into an abusive relationship than to get out of it. Everything from fear of retaliation to feeling helpless can make it difficult for a victim of abuse to sever ties with the abuser. Things like unemployment, underemployment, codependency, and not wanting the ...
Views: 2190(1 vote) - Am I Manipulating My Narcissist? - by Submitted on Sep 22, 2015 from Sam VakninBy Sam Vaknin Author of "Malignant Self-love: Narcissism Revisited" All told, there are three ways to manipulate the narcissist: (1) To withhold narcissistic supply from him until he comes, hat in hand, begging for more and then you can name your price and dictate terms; (2) To ...
Views: 2190 - An Alien Encounter: A Look at Sexual Abuse - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsI am in my therapist’s office, after finding out about my daughter’s sexual abuse, and I am slowly recalling the morning after the first time I was sexually violated by my stepfather….. I saw myself as a young child, sewing a cloak of many new colors, a cloak of artificial self-esteem and ...
Views: 2179 - Common Sense Tools for the Friend of Someone Who is Brainwashed! - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2017 from Dr. Anne BrownMost of us know or have known someone we care about who has come under the influence of a perpetrator using him/her for self-serving purposes. Very smart, educated, healthy people can, for some unknown, reason come under the spell of opportunistic, toxic, and insecure people. It is very ...
Views: 2177 - How Alcohol Addiction Affects a Family - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2013 from Gareth CarterIs someone in your family addicted to alcohol? If that’s the case, then it’s important to know the damage it can cause if no immediate action is taken. Alcohol addiction is often called a ‘family disease’ as the harmful effects of it do not only affect the alcoholic, but also the people ...
Views: 2176(2 votes) - Addiction, Brain Science Simplified - by Submitted on Aug 20, 2008 from David CarrollWhat is the essence of addiction from a scientific standpoint? What facts support the foundation that supposes that an “addict” has no control and that free will has nothing to do with their ability to stop? What indicates that without help, they have little or no hope of recovering, from this ...
Views: 2173 - If You Had Any Sense - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2011 from Dan L. Hays(Written August 8, 1990) It was June of 1969. I had just come home from my freshman year at Texas Tech. I had not declared a major except for General Studies. I liked my psychology and sociology courses, and thought about going that direction for a major. We lived in Fort Worth, and ...
Views: 2168(1 vote) - Advice to Parents: Things You Can Do To Decrease the Likelihood of Your Child Being the Victim of a Sexual Predator - by Submitted on Jul 27, 2012 from Jay Tow, M. S. Counselor, Life Management and Relationship CoachAn article by Jay Tow, M.S. Certified Sexologist Much has been written and discussed about the things we can teach our children in order help them avoid being victims of a sexual predator or molester. We all know about staying away from strangers and good and bad touching. There are steps ...
Views: 2154(2 votes) - Child Abuse: Is Anger An Important Part Of Healing From Child Abuse? - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2014 from Oliver JR CooperThere are some emotions that are seen as ‘bad’ or ‘negative’ and while this might be the case if they are shown in certain situations, this is not going to apply in others. Every emotion has purpose and a reason for appearing; this not to say that one should act upon every emotion that arises ...
Views: 2149 - SELF-HATE & ACoAs (Part 2) - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2011 from Donna TorbicoNOBODY LOVES ME - I’m going to eat worms & die! Part 1: Essence, Source - Past & Present PURPOSE for S-H - TO: • protect our ideal of having good, loving, safe parents • protect us from feeling our old abandonment pain • keep from risking change (fear we’ll die if we S & I) • keep us ...
Views: 2143 - Do Police Benefit From Alcohol Awareness Classes? - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2012 from Ari NovickIt is important to know that behind the uniform, every policeman is a regular human being. The uniform might contribute to influencing positive moral standards and behavior, but everyone has their weaknesses. The job can be very stressful and this can carry over into alcohol addiction when off ...
Views: 2136(1 vote) - Sexual Healing Begins with Accessing Emotions - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2012 from Amrita GraceI have been through my own arduous journey of sexual healing, and now my passion is to assist you on yours. Having made a full recovery from childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual addiction, my life's work is now helping others do the same. While I acknowledge that the journey is never really ...
Views: 2135(1 vote) - Taking Back Your Power - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2008 from Tamiel McAfeeOne of the most essential steps in healing and recovery is to take back your personal Creator given power. First, you must come to the realization that taking back your personal power is possible and necessary. Realize that the only person you can change is yourself. You have the ability to ...
Views: 2112 - 4 Proven Resources for Breaking a Substance Addiction - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2015 from Anica OaksAccording to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug abuse rates declined by almost eight percent from 2002 to 2013. However, there is still a large treatment gap, which results in over 20 million Americans failing to receive needed substance abuse help. Below introduces four excellent ...
Views: 2111 - Exploitation by a Narcissist - by Submitted on May 06, 2008 from Sam VakninQuestion: In his drive for Narcissistic Supply, would the narcissist be callous enough to exploit the tragedy of others, if this were to secure him a new Supply Source? Answer: Yes. I compare Narcissistic Supply to drugs because of the almost involuntary and always-unrestrained nature of the ...
Views: 2111 - Taming the Beast - Improving the Narcissist's Quality of Life (Part 1) - by Many textbooks (and many patients ...) claim that the psychodynamic therapies when applied to personality disorders are ineffective. Functional (cognitive, behavioral) treatments should be preferred in certain cases and regarding certain aspects of the disorder.
To a Narcissist, I would ...
Views: 2110 - The Motivation to Change is Inside You: MET Therapy and How it Works - by Submitted on Dec 03, 2015 from Sarah Ann NiemannGrowing up you were probably told "you can do anything you want to do, as long as you set your mind on it," and as a kid you probably believed it, but being an adult is hard and you lose sight of that mantra, which was drilled into your head. Motivational Enhancement Therapy is there to ...
Views: 2107(2 votes) - The Malignant Optimism of the Abused - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2003 from Sam VakninI often come across sad examples of the powers of self-delusion that the narcissist provokes in his victims. It is what I call "malignant optimism". People refuse to believe that some questions are unsolvable, some diseases incurable, some disasters inevitable. They see a sign of hope in every ...
Views: 2106(1 vote) - EMOTIONAL ABUSE : What it is and why it is so important to recognize - by Submitted on May 25, 2012 from Roni Weisberg-RossSticks and stones may break my bones but … bullying and name-calling can emotionally scar me forever. Not the original ending to the classic verse, but probably the more accurate one. It seems that broken bones will heal far more quickly than a battered soul. Does this sound overly ...
Views: 2104 - Soothing Your Inner Child - by Submitted on Nov 09, 2010 from Jane RowanGetting in touch with our inner children is not always easy. At first it might seem that they just want to cry and cry. That’s natural. The parts of us that were split off at a young age had to go away for good reasons—abuse, fear, neglect, misunderstanding. These young parts were not ...
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