Addiction and Recovery Articles

Recognizing an existential vacuum, the drug abuser experiences unhappiness and, as a maladaptive response, turns to drugs or alcohol for relief of emotional pain. In the tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), it is through the recounting of life stories that the addict learns how to interpret their past in a way that gives meaning to the past and hope for the future. From a phenomenological perspective, the past is relived, interpreted and created in the present experience of an AA meeting, and becomes a model for creation of the future.

Medical and Spiritual Model of Drug Rehabilitation

Do you have an addiction? The question shouldn't be hard to answer. There are fairly clear lines between an addiction and a casual behavior. nn According to substance abuse experts Chris and Pax Prentiss, founders of Passages Malibu, a residential drug rehab program , addiction is caused by underlying problems in a person’s life that they are unable to cope with. When someone is unable to cope with their circumstances they sometimes turn towards drugs and alcohol for relief

Many women who wear makeup may think that the concept of cosmetics actually being addictive is absurd, however they don’t realise how addictive something that alters out appearance can be. Some women will admit that they are not willing to even step out of their front door without makeup on. Admittedly an addiction to makeup and other cosmetics is not as dangerous as an addiction to any drug or alcohol, however some people may not realise how dependant they are on their cosme

Perhaps no drug has invited as much heated debate and ferocious argument as marijuana. Marijuana has been a source of fierce pro and against positions mainly because it is considered by many to be the least harmful of drugs; and whether or not marijuana addiction is an actual threat is debated as often. Effects of marijuana: Marijuana is harmful because it is a drug like any other, even if it is the least harmful. More importantly, it is considered a "gateway drug", in that t

People who have addictive behaviors feel frustrated when they relapse in the recovery stage. With each relapse the feel of frustrated will be highlighted more, to where they believe that cannot be overcome their addiction. The root cause of inability to overcome any addiction is including: false beliefs and irrational exceptions. One of the false beliefs about recovery that is repeated too much is; “I have decided that I don’t drink alcohol, so, I shouldn't have a problem!” While the fact that recovery is a process, not an event.

Many alcoholics live structured and full lives while they drink; this is because their days are spent drinking and their life revolves around the pursuit of inebriation. Once this destructive cycle comes to an end some find this sudden lack of purpose and newly found free time to be quite stressful. Unless some way can be found to fill this time many newly recovered alcoholics will inevitably return to their previous heavy consumption of alcohol. So what are some of the activ

A woman enters my office disheveled, thin, mid forties, with hollow eyes. It is as if the sparkle in her eyes ceased to exist a very long time ago. She tells me she has been drinking and is using methamphetamines. I am not surprised to hear this because lately my practice has been filled with ...

If you were a woman with breast cancer, you’d probably want to know that there were several treatment options you had: radical mastectomy, lumpectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, holistic services, nutritional approaches, some combination of these options, or doing nothing, with new options emerging continually. You might be inclined to let your physician decide what to do. However, most individuals would want to make a decision of this magnitude for themselves.

There is a lot of discussion these days about the legalization of substances, especially marijuana. These discussions and articles focus on how it might improve the economy, to decriminalization resulting in fewer deaths and a drop in the growth of HIV cases, to medical benefits of marijuana. You might expect someone who witnesses the difficulties and occasional devastation that substances cause to be firmly against legalization. This is not necessarily the case.

As a counselor for both in class and online alcohol awareness classes my students and I often discuss the possible ways a person can drink socially without becoming intoxicated. Of course the answer is simple, have one drink and make sure you are well hydrated, well rested and well fed. But the question remains, are there other ways a person can delay or diminish the effects of alcohol?

Here are ten common situations that are very dangerous to a person in recovery. Recognizing these dangers will help you avoid a possible problem in the future.

A Great Close to Our Southern Califo ia Meetings Dick B. © 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved Ken and I are back in Maui and excited over the many meetings we had in Southern Califo ia from LAX, Redondo Beach, North Hollywood, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Santa Ana, to three hotels – Best Western, Wyndham, and Marriott in the area. The trip was made possible by air fare contribution of Christian friend Freda M.; hotel contribution of David Powers of Rock Recovery Ministries and Sol

1. Attend a long-term rehab program – If at all possible, a longer-term (more than 30 days) drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility will often provide a solid foundation to work with that includes counseling and education about addiction and staying sober. 2. Have some type of support group – many people choose to attend meetings, but this doesn’t have to be the case. The support can come from family, co-workers, teammates, clergy, and of course staff at the inpatient drug rehab that was attended.

The “Golden Rule”of the Helping Professions An Excerpt from “The Human Magnet Syndrome – Why We Love People Who Hurt Us.” By Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed., LCPC, CADC

Many people who enter treatment for addiction recovery are taken aback by the spiritual concepts normally associated with a recovery program. Others initially welcome the spiritual aspects, returning to a religious belief system they once were familiar with, as it instills a sense of hope for ...

Opiate addiction is an insidious problem that has plagued society for centuries, but perhaps never more so than today. A two-edged sword, opiates can heal or destroy. An opiate is any drug derived from the opium poppy plant. The main opiates are morphine, heroin, and codeine. Thebaine and papaverine are also opiates. More commonly we see opiates in their synthetic forms: oxycodone (OxyContin, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Darvon, Demerol, and

Prescription drug abuse, which I term medical drug addiction, like all addictions including alcoholism, (addiction to ethyl alcohol), though more widely recognized nowadays, is still not widely understood. And of course, combining the abuse of prescription drugs, (obtained legally or not), with “street drugs”, maybe adding alcohol to the mix, though highly dangerous is commonplace too.

There is a third critical factor to bear in mind when questioning the functioning of a so-called “functioning alcoholic.” The first factor to consider was whether the alcoholic is functioning generally in life, or just in one aspect of life, like his job. The second factor was whether the alcoholic is achieving his potential and pursuing his dreams, not just getting by. The third factor has to with how long the “functioning,” at whatever level, can last in the presence of alcohol abuse.

What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop following a traumatic event that some people saw or lived through it. Traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include: • War • Natural disasters • Car crashes • Unexpected death of a loved one • Rape • Assault • Sexual or physical abuse Symptoms Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are three main types of symptoms: 1. Intrusive memories 2. Avoidance and numbing 3. Increased anxiety and emotional arousal Symptoms of intrusive memories • Flashbacksr

ADHD is neither a “new” mental health problem nor is it a disorder created for the purpose of personal gain or financial profit by pharmaceutical companies, the mental health field, or by the media. It is a very real behavioral and medical disorder that affects millions of people nationwide. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents. According to research sponsored by NIMH, estimated the number of children with ADHD to be between 3% - 5% of the population.

A.A. History Studies with “Conference-approved” Foundations Dick B. © 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved The Problem with a Clear-cut Solution Fear has often ruled in the minds of those who understand the importance in their recovery of studying, learning, and applying the highly effective techniques of the early A.A. Society. Time and again, someone has mentioned a piece of literature, only to hear someone else claim it is forbidden because it is not “A.A. General Servic

Is your habit of drinking alcoholic interfering with various areas of your life? Is your significant other threatening to leave you if you do not get help? Is your child scared of you? Perhaps you have gotten fired from your job or received a ste warning from the manager. It is when problems begin to arise as a result from you being drunk that lets you know when you have a drinking problem.

Staying sober requires that we develop skills that further long-term abstinence. While there are many ways to achieve recovery, I would like to discuss Mindfulness as a tool that has been valuable to me and a host of clients I’ve worked with over the last 28 years. Mindfulness is a concept that talks about the practice of focusing your attention and awareness based on the concept of mindfulness in Buddhist meditation. It has been popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindfulness co

Can you see the two faces in this picture? To view this Face and the other "Cloud-Layers of Ego" illustration in this article Click the following Link: http://www.peakrecovery.com/two%20faces.pdfrnr

Why do so few people receive driving under the influence violations (DUIs) for marijuana? Statistics show how many people are smoking and using marijuana these days. In 14 states, including the District of Columbia, weed is legal for "medical" purposes. The entire idea of marijuana's medicinal value is subject for another article. Today we want to discuss the epidemic of using marijuana and operating a motor vehicle. As a counselor for both in-class and online drug classes I can tell you there are a lot of people out there who smoke pot and drive.

I have worked with several hundred alcoholics and addicts since 1989 when I first worked in this field. In all that time I have come to the conclusion that one of the most dangerous things that leads to relapse is fantasies of “controlled use.” I have talked with addicts of all shapes and sizes, men, women, all ages, and all races and I have observed a consistent theme with the vast majority.

A.A., Charlie Sheen, and David Arquette By Dick B. © 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved This Is All about the News Accounts I believe it was the famous star and commentator Will Rogers who said: “All I know is what I read in the newspapers.” And, while I have 24-plus years in A.A., the only thing I know about Charlie Sheen and David Arquette is what I’ve watched almost daily on TV and seen in the news stories. The gist of the news seems to be that A.A. is mentioned in mos

The frightening part about teenage alcoholism and teenage drug abuse, is how young the kids today are that are becoming addicted. Seeing kids of 11-13 in rehab centers being treated for addiction is not unusual It's not easy being a teenager. Trying to fit in, make sense of yourself and the ...

"Dude, I just got pwned by Kt, can you rez me so I don't have to run back from the graveyard?" Does this sentence make any sense to you? Perhaps not, but to millions of online gamers, it makes complete sense. Online games, also known as MMORPGs (Massive Multi-player Online Role-Playing Games), allow people to play together online from anywhere in the world. All you need is internet service, the game, and you are "g2g" (good to go). There have been many articles over the past

It is generally believed that love addiction is not as serious as other types of addictions like drugs, gambling or sex. And it might be true; however, love addiction can be easily compared to emotional disorders and obsessions that may often lead to a crime (i.e. a crime of passion). Suicides, murders, rapes and domestic violence have their roots in this addiction. The gravity of love addiction should not be underestimated. Intimacy evolves over time, loving relationships de

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of Bipolar are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: Bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

For family and friends of drug and/or alcohol addicted individuals, addressing addiction is one of the most difficult aspects of seeking substance abuse treatment. Often, drug and alcohol addiction has built a destructive cycle over a time to the point where daily family involvement actually enables the addicted individual. Family members frequently do not know how to bring up the issue of addiction therapy, and opt to ignore the problem for fear of pushing their loved one away during a confrontation or intervention.

The serenity prayer has a special place for many people, aside from its actual or little meaning, it has become something of a mantra for members of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 step fellowships.

12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are tradition based programs and have been proven to work. Part of the glue that keeps these programs effective is sponsorship. In AA and in NA, people are required to seek sponsors. A sponsor is a mentor and someone that has a good amount of familiarity in the 12 steps, recovery, and in sobriety itself. Sponsors use this knowledge to assist those with less experience or one that is new to recovery.

What is self control? Self control is the ability to control one's feelings, emotions, impulses, and reactions. Effects of self control are seen everywhere, you can see it in the wealth of the people, winners medals, good habits, strong relationships, a beautiful music, magnificent buildings, and the personal mastery in any fields. Emerson once said, “Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm.” We could paraphrase that by saying nothing great was ever accomplished without self control.r

Overcoming Alcoholism and Drug Addictionr Joining in Support, Not Splitting in Departure By Dick B. Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved Some Comments and Some Questions Introduction and Three Approaches It would be naïve to think that there are only three ways—mutually exclusive ways—to overcome alcoholism and addiction. Why? All three of these three ways have fathered strong failure rates, particularly as they are seemingly and frequently viewed today. Regrett

Technology has proved to be an invaluable asset in the field of mental health. We have the internet which allows easy access to information on symptoms and disorders such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. We have EEG machines which allow us to physically change brain waves reducing symptomology and we have cell phone apps that allow us to track our moods and symptoms to better understand their etiology. With all these wonderful uses for technology, it’s hard to imagine that they could have a negative side too.

In Greek mythology Narcissus was a handsome, proud man who disdained those who loved him. He fell in love with his own beautiful reflection in a pool, and because he couldn’t stop looking at it, he starved to death. Narcissists have a great deal of resistance to change, basically because they cannot see a need for changing perfection. Narcissism is the epitome of insight-free self-centeredness. In the modern world the “Narcissistic Personality Disorder” represents the extreme end of the continuum of narcissism…

Identifying Teen Drug Abuse Parental and peer drug abuse are regarded as as among the more common variables influencing a teen's decision concerning substance use. The age at which teenagers start to consume alcohol is lowering, with 25% of adolescents beginning to drink prior to 13 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some teens are more susceptible to acquiring drug-related disorders. This involves youths with one or more of the followi

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER – Introduction to “Interactive Tapping” An Overview of Cathryn’s Taylor's Seven Layer Inner Child/EFT Tapping Sequences-r

You both enjoyed a drink when you were first married. But unlike your drinking, his has increased over time. In fact it has become an integral part of everyday living for him. It has become a familiar part of your life too, because you worry about what is happening to him and to your marriage. For present purposes I will limit my comments to home life.

The answer: "It depends on the person's brain." However, almost for certain at some point in a complete series of neurofeedback sessions a person who is recovering from addiction will benefit from receiving the alpha-theta protocol. The evidenced-based symptom-oriented evaluation will suggest alpha-theta training as a ...

Have you ever felt the effects of peer pressure? If you answered no to this question you obviously have lived on an island your entire life without ever having had human interaction! As a counselor for both in class and online drug awareness classes, I often discuss the nature and power of peer pressure with my students. This article will examine peer pressure from the point of view of my minor in possession (PIP) students only. There will be a subsequent article where my students over the age of 21 reminisce on peer pressure.

My son Pax began using marijuana when he was fifteen. When he was eighteen, he came home from school one day and began crying. He told me he was hooked on heroin. For the next six years, I battled heroin for Pax’s life. He went to thirty-day programs, sixty-day programs, and ninety-day programs. Nothing worked. We went to drug therapists, alcohol therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, addiction specialists, and counselors of every sort. They would tell us that alcoholism

When I used to drink years ago I assumed I'd always drink---my entire life. I liked it so much. I depended on alcohol and didn't want to think about ending my relationship with drinking. But after several years of drinking with the boyfriends and losing relationship after relationship it ...

Overheard at meetings and treatment rooms are stories of how clients report that there's nothing to do now that they're sober or how they feel like they won't have any friends once they get sober. While I can certainly understand the concern, there are a lot of people engaged in a full life who are either sober or who don't drink but have a life committed to health. It makes a lot of sense to me that finding something to do would be difficult as the focus of the using person

The reaso I believe a lot of people are unsuccessful in recovering from an addiction, whether it be alcoholism or drug addiction, is that too often the symptoms, rather than the causes of the addiction are being treated. What's a symptom? You're feeling depressed, anxious, paranoid, generally ...