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- Sexual Addiction: Are You a Sex Addict? Part 2 - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2009 from Peggy FergusonSexual addiction is a dysfunctional pattern of compulsive sexual behavior that continues even after the addict knows that it is causing major problems in their life. The sex addicts has a compulsion to engage in the problem behavior despite the fact that it has become emotionally dissatisfying ...
Views: 2009(1 vote) - 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: 2199(2 votes) - Taking Care of Ourselves is not being egotistic... - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2011 from Jeffrey FedererAs many of you know, at the end of March, we had our seminar “The Eleven Principles of Transformation” and one of the issues we explored (principle VI) was the value of taking care of oneself. Many people think that paying attention to our needs is being egotistic, and forget about what they ...
Views: 1703(2 votes) - The Importance of Addiction Assessment - How, When and Why it is Valuable for Drug and Alcohol Treatment - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2011 from Steven GiffordWhen you or your loved one decide to make the important step toward seeking drug or alcohol treatment, the next critical step in the recovery process is determining the level of appropriate care by receiving a professional addiction assessment. This is the first intake procedure to evaluate the ...
Views: 2500(2 votes) - Treating Xanax Addiction - by Submitted on Oct 31, 2011 from Jenna PopeAddiction to Xanax can be frightening because it's almost impossible to quit on your own. But how could something that feels so good be bad for you? It's bad for you because it is highly addicting. Progressively, you need more and more of the drug to feel the same effect that you felt in the ...
Views: 2415(2 votes) - Two Essential Questions for Men in Recovery - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2011 from Dan GriffinIt goes without saying that choosing to enter treatment or a Twelve Step program presents a unique set of challenges. One that many people do not anticipate is the experience of entering a culture in which people communicate. For men especially, this can be an unfamiliar and uncomfortable ...
Views: 6936(2 votes) - Sexual Addiction Behavior Types (Patrick Carnes) - by Submitted on May 30, 2011 from Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed. LCPC CADCAccording to Patrick Carnes, there are 11 sexual addiction behavior types. This information is important when when working with sexually addictive or codependents or co-addicts of sex addicts. As you will see, sex addiction comes in many forms and types. Anything from the lone web surfer who ...
Views: 8396(5 votes) - Addiction and Recovery: Do You Need Detox After Relapse? - by Submitted on Nov 07, 2009 from Peggy FergusonWhile most people realize that relapse is a common experience for addicts in recovery, they often do not know how to get back on track after relapsing on alcohol or other mood altering drugs. Although relapse is commonplace, it is predictable, and thus preventable. For many recovering ...
Views: 6382(3 votes) - How To Increase Self Esteem with Inner Child Dialogues - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2009 from Dr. Jane BoltonBefore describing how to use dialoguing with your Inner Child to increase self esteem, I'd better say what your Inner Child is, for those who may not be familiar with the term. What is an Inner Child? We all have an Inner Child. It is who we are when we were born, our natural core self. That ...
Views: 3496(3 votes) - Nicotine Addiction and Nicotine Dependency - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2006 from David JonesNicotine addiction is a brain disorder primarily genetic in origin. There is evidence that environment can contribute to the addiction. Nicotine addiction is reasonably easy to treat. Teach the person about their disease, give them the proper methods to withdraw from nicotine, teach them ...
Views: 3315(3 votes) - Our Latest Recovery Meetings and Coalition Participants - by Submitted on Jan 29, 2012 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),A Great Close to Our Southern California 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 California from LAX, Redondo Beach, North Hollywood, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Santa Ana, to three hotels – Best ...
Views: 2863(3 votes) - HEALTHY OPPOSITES - Change Your Behavior, Change Your Life - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2009 from Donna TorbicoFor ACoAs- (Adult-Children of alcoholics, abusers, abandoners & other narcissists) ACoAs know how they would like their life to be: TO have a fulfilling career, loving relationships, less pressure, a little fun... and they try, struggle, obsess - but not much changes. They become more & more ...
Views: 2887(5 votes) - 12 Step Programs for Eating Disorders and SMART Recovery - by Submitted on Oct 10, 2014 from Marty LernerSMART* Recovery and 12-Step Programs In the world of addiction treatment there are several choices one has in the way of utilizing and attending a community based support group. Should one look more closely at what is offered to those with an eating disorder the choices are somewhat more ...
Views: 4507(4 votes) - Addiction Recovery Tools: Why You Want to Learn to Forgive in Recovery - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2009 from Peggy FergusonAlthough forgiveness is an important part of working through feelings, and thus, a tool of recovery and the healing process, it is an often neglected topic. People often erroneously equate forgiveness with forgetting. The best definition that I ever heard for forgiveness is simply "giving up ...
Views: 3682(2 votes) - Dick B. Address to Assn of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Palm Springs - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2011 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),THE ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN ALCOHOL & DRUG COUNSELORS INSTITUTE Announces the 2011 Annual Christ-centered Addiction Professionals Conference to be held from Friday, September 30th TO Sunday, October 2nd at the Hotel Zoos in beautiful Palm Springs. The Dick B. Address on October 2, ...
Views: 2482(2 votes) - Have total control over body and mind - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2009 from Greg FrostWe are living in a state of flux. We are living in a state where we are in total un control of your mind and our body. This statement comes from the very fact that we are no longer a focused, organised and empowered race of humans walking on this earth. Why do we say this? We say this because ...
Views: 4344(2 votes) - Rick S. Personal Recovery Story - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Addict's Friendhttp://www.addictsfriend.com Sober, Happy, & Free Author: Rick S. Reprinted From: The Community Health Alliance -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I grew up in Chicago, one of six kids. My dad worked three jobs most of my childhood, and ...
Views: 1424(2 votes) - the first and still the best-- a simple and straightforward guide to doing the 12 steps - by Submitted on Jan 16, 2012 from Carl Tuchy PalmieriThe old-timers know the best. The members of the first 12 step programs worked hard and collaborated on many booklets and pamphlets. One of the efforts was the creation of a 12 step workbook. The Little Red Book* was the original book for doing the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It was ...
Views: 2586(2 votes) - “Instead Of Telling God How Big Your Fears Are, Start Telling Your Fears How Big Your God Is." - by Submitted on Oct 11, 2007 from Michael ZBefore recovery, we were driven by a hundred forms of self-centered fear. During steps 6 and 7, we began to release some of these character defects, but some habits are hard to break. Like feeding into our fears. But when we can pause and work our program of recovery, we remember that we are ...
Views: 2392(2 votes) - Addiction Bible Scriptures - by Submitted on May 21, 2009 from Robert And Shelley JakobsenAlcoholism, drug abuse and eating disorders are often misunderstood. These diseases include a soul-sickness. The people in the grips of these afflictions are spiritually ill, too. The illness can even spread to family members and friends. The recovery process has produced countless untold ...
Views: 7795(3 votes) - One More Essential Tool For Preventing Relapse in Early Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Nov 08, 2009 from Peggy FergusonMost non-addicted people have routines and organizing structures in their lives that help provide stability. An addict's lifestyle is often one of chaotic instability and disorganization. A general lack of structure and routine contributes to this disorganization and chaos. An addicted ...
Views: 3355(4 votes) - ***Beginner’s Basic Overview of 12 Step Programs - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2013 from Sandra LeningtonWhat is a 12 Step Program? In short a 12 step program is any program based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are a design for living, whereby a person can learn to live at peace and joy, without resorting to destructive substances or ...
Views: 4637(2 votes) - A.A., Charlie Sheen, and David Arquette - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2011 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),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., ...
Views: 2754(1 vote) - Addiction and Recovery: Do You Really Have to Hit Bottom to Recover? - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2009 from Peggy FergusonThere is a generally misguided notion that you have to "hit bottom" to be able to get sober and stay sober. "Hitting bottom" is usually seen as the loss of the things that you value in your life. It is an individually defined event and the concept has probably hindered the recovery efforts of a ...
Views: 2689(1 vote) - Addiction and Recovery: Preventing Relapse After Surgery - by Submitted on May 19, 2009 from Peggy FergusonYou are ultimately responsible for your own addiction recovery. When you know that you have to have surgery, it is important to keep everyone treating you informed about your recovery and addiction history, including the names of the drugs, the amounts, the lengths of time that you took them, ...
Views: 4449(1 vote) - Addiction and Recovery: Ten Common Myths about Alcohol and Drug Addiction - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2009 from Peggy FergusonPeople who don't know much about alcohol and other drug addiction, often buy into common myths and stereotypes about addiction and addicts. It is important to replace mistaken assumptions and judgments about addiction, so that you can approach those afflicted with the illness, with compassion ...
Views: 4080(1 vote) - Addiction and Recovery: The Emotional Highs and Lows of Early Recovery - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2009 from Peggy FergusonWhen someone makes a decision to get the help that they need to quit drinking and using other drugs, everything begins to change. As an addict’s body begins to detox and as she is consciously trying to interrupt the momentum of addicted use of a chemical (including alcohol), she goes through ...
Views: 4747(2 votes) - Addiction and Recovery: Understanding The Nature of Addiction to Understand Cross Addiction - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2009 from Peggy FergusonEarly addiction recovery is a fragile thing. One of the most frequent contributing factors in relapse is something we call "cross-addiction". Essentially what cross-addiction means, is that if you are alcoholic or addicted to other mood altering drugs, you a potentially addicted to all mood ...
Views: 2772(1 vote) - Alcoholism, Addiction, Denial and Recovery...There is Hope - by Submitted on Jul 21, 2010 from Amy CrowellWhat comes to your mind when you think of an alcoholic and drug addict? Do you immediately envision a person on the side of the street, begging for change and holding a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag? Do you envision a person in a crack house shooting up drugs and sleeping under a bridge? ...
Views: 3845(1 vote) - Alcoholism; Can An Atheist Get Help From AA? 12 Steps But No God? - by Submitted on Nov 28, 2007 from John LeeThe founders of AA, two very Christian and God fearing men, made a remarkable allowance nearly 80 years ago when they removed Christianity from what is essentially a religious organization, in an attempt to broaden access to treatment. AA is religious in nature (although they would call ...
Views: 2661(1 vote) - Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven - by Submitted on Jul 12, 2019 from Curtis R Doll JrThroughout my 20's and early 30’s I fancied myself the Great Artist, my ego swelling with each affirmation. When people gave me the compliment; You have a God-given talent, I would respond with; If you knew how hard I worked to hone my abilities you wouldn't say such a stupid thing! During ...
Views: 4223(1 vote) - CAN YOU TURN IT OVER? - by Submitted on Jan 07, 2011 from Keith BrayCAN YOU TURN IT OVER? A small change had started in my life. A journey of transformation had started and I was starting to recover a life I wanted. I had some hope sanity could return to my life. As I worked through the journey as laid out in the 12 steps, I hit something that called for a ...
Views: 1724(2 votes) - Family Members Know You are Going to Relapse in Your Addiction Before You Do - Listen Up - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2009 from Peggy FergusonThe family dynamics of recovery is rarely smooth sailing. Relapse, which is a process, has a tremendously negative effect on significant others. Family members who have labored and struggled to remain with the addict through all the active years of addiction, to assist them in finding their way ...
Views: 4691(1 vote) - First Sober Fourth of July: Surviving the Holiday Without Addiction Relapse - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2009 from Peggy FergusonThe fourth of July is significant for alcoholics and addicts in several ways. The Declaration of Independence was a statement of separation from a tyrannical ruler. With separating from the past they embarked on a new way of life. Many people come into treatment just after the Fourth of July, ...
Views: 2877(1 vote) - Seeking Guidance from God in Today's A.A.? - by Submitted on Feb 03, 2010 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),Seeking Guidance from God in Today's A.A.? “Go with the Winners” and Follow the Original Akron A.A. “Christian Fellowship” Program Dick B. © 2010 Anonymous. All rights reserved The following verses from the Book of James show specifically why and how to seek the wisdom of God. As A.A. ...
Views: 2623(2 votes) - The Call of Love: A Relationship Koan - by Submitted on May 24, 2019 from Brenda ShoshannaTHE CALL OF LOVE Dr. Brenda Shoshanna “Each miracle is a gentle winning over from the appeal of guilt to the appeal of love.” Here we are in the beginning of spring, when all is blooming and the heart, too, reaches for love. And yet, this is a painful time of year for many. There is ...
Views: 5190(1 vote) - The Life and Death of a Drunk - by Submitted on May 17, 2009 from David HarmMy favorite recovery author is John Bradshaw. He is the one who introduced me to the idea of the inner child. And he also helped me understand that alcoholism is never a primary illness, but rather it is a secondary disease. Bradshaw believes that the primary illness is co-dependency or as he ...
Views: 1973(1 vote) - Uncovering Our Light: 12 Steps And The Shaman’s Journey - by Submitted on Mar 20, 2011 from Barry LipscombA spiritual awakening is simply the awareness that we are more than just a physical body, with a thinking mind. We have a spiritual nature too, that many traditions speak of as a light. Yet lots of us no longer have access to that light. Addicts and Alcoholics have used drugs and alcohol ...
Views: 1821(1 vote) - Working Through Feelings in Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2009 from Peggy FergusonOne of the most important tasks necessary for maintaining abstinence and growing in recovery is learning how to appropriately work through feelings. Many people use alcohol and other drugs in place of dealing with or managing emotions. Alcoholism/drug addiction often involves skill deficits. ...
Views: 8121(1 vote) - Are You an Enabler and What You Can Do about It. - by Submitted on Mar 24, 2013 from Darlene LancerEnabling is a term often used in the context of a relationship with an addict. It might be a drug addict (which includes an alcoholic), gambler, or compulsive shopper. Enablers suffer the effects of the addict’s behavior rather than the addict. Enabling “removes the natural consequences to the ...
Views: 2556(7 votes) - Addiction and Recovery: Plan Your Vacation, Not Your Relapse! - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2009 from Peggy FergusonWhen facing the loss of most of one’s structure in situations like vacation or business trips, relapsive thinking can return, even in established, stable recovery. The relapse thoughts can include some of the below, but this is not an all inclusive lists. When planning a vacation or business ...
Views: 3922(2 votes) - Addiction and Recovery: Prevent Relapse By Making Good Choices - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2009 from Peggy FergusonRelapse is a process that occurs over time, in the context of significant decisions. Many people who relapse say that drinking or using was the furthest thing from their mind just before they consumed the chemical. In reality, most of the time, relapse was in process some time before the ...
Views: 4494(2 votes) - Cross Addiction and Relapse - Examples and Relationships - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2009 from Peggy FergusonCross addiction is one of the leading causes of relapse in early recovery. Cross-addiction involves being addicted to all mood altering drugs. The following are illustrations of cross addiction. 1. Some people become cross-addicted in their efforts to camouflage their addiction. ...
Views: 4770(2 votes) - Guide to Eliminating Deception and Dishonesty - How to Get Real in Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2009 from Peggy FergusonMany people, while active in addiction, engage in deceptive, dishonest behavior, and diversionary tactics. These are part and parcel of addiction and the need to keep the extent of their problem hidden. It is difficult to juggle all the demands of being addicted with all the "normal" demands of ...
Views: 7181(2 votes) - How to achieve Peace & Happiness? - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2010 from Prof. George Grant"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12 "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." You become what you think about most of the time. And the most important part of each day is what you ...
Views: 3236(7 votes) - "How do you know when you've hit bottom? When you stop digging." - by Submitted on Aug 22, 2007 from Michael ZFor years I was driven by an obsession to drink. In the beginning I tried to control it, but after a while it had complete control of me. Alcoholism took me to a deep emotional, spiritual and physical bottom, and only when I surrendered to this program did I begin to recover. In sobriety I've ...
Views: 1762(1 vote) - Addiction and Recovery: Drinking or Using Dreams as a Normal Part of Recovery - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Peggy FergusonWhen you have a drinking or using dream, you may wake up not really knowing if it actually happened. Many people in early recovery find it disturbing and frightening when they experience a "using" dream. Drinking and using dreams are those dreams where the central theme or experience is about ...
Views: 4765(2 votes) - Addiction As Disease Does Not Equal "Get Out of Jail Free" - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Peggy FergusonSometimes family members have a hard time with the idea that addiction is a disease. When this is the case, it often has to do with the issue of responsibility. Sometimes family members believe that "disease" is equated with a "get out of jail free card" or not being held responsible. This is ...
Views: 2174(2 votes) - Addiction Recovery: 12 Do's and Don'ts For the Family While the Alcoholic is in Rehab - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Peggy FergusonYour significant other finally went to rehab. With all the events leading up to his agreeing to go to treatment, it may feel like a let-down. You may have breathed a big sigh of relief as you drove away from the airport or the treatment center after dropping him or her off. You may feel hope. ...
Views: 4431(2 votes) - How To Know What Boundaries Are? - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2009 from Mara FisherMany books have been written on the subject of boundaries. Is it possible to be an I and still be a We? Where do I end and my partner begin? Many of us have been pondering this notion. How do I get close without getting lost while in a committed relationship? Many believe that the lack of ...
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