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Addiction and Recovery Articles
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SelfGrowth.com Recommended Articles:
Coming Out of Our Comfort Zones: Recovery From Addiction - by Candace Plattor- The Nature of Addiction (Nicotine) - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2002 from Ian ClarkThe Nature of Addiction When you started smoking you will have been lulled in to a false sense of security, thinking you can give up whenever you want until you actually try to stop and can’t. Some people would have started smoking when they were young and most when they were teenagers. ...
Views: 2091(1 vote) - The Pleasure Compulsion: Play It Again Sam - by Submitted on Sep 08, 2003 from Susan PeabodyThe Freudians use the term repetition compulsion to describe “the mind’s tendency to repeat traumatic events in order to deal with them.”1 Another Freudian term, the pleasure principle, describes the need of the infant to seek gratification.2 In adults, this would be called the “production of ...
Views: 11542(1 vote) - THE POWER OF ACCEPTANCE - by Submitted on Jan 07, 2011 from Keith BrayTHE POWER OF ACCEPTANCE As each new year begins, I love to go through and meditate on the 12 steps. As I constantly tell others, while the 12 steps in the familiar format people look at today come from AA, there is no better model for any human being to follow for good mental hygiene. Want a ...
Views: 1293(1 vote) - The Rising Trouble of Meth Addiction Among Teens - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2011 from Dr. Mark AgrestiHow much do your youngsters know about the risks of Meth dependency? Don't you suspect that your teenagers or their close friends might be addicted to Meth? Meth is one of the most addictive banned substances currently available. Sad to say Meth addiction has been becoming increasingly ...
Views: 2202(1 vote) - The Second Step to Serenity - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2004 from L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.The Second Step to Serenity: Meditation for Day 8 Excerpted from "Prayer Steps to Serenity: The Twelve Step Journey" By L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."—The Second Step "Because Jesus himself suffered when he was tempted, ...
Views: 2318(1 vote) - The Stumbling Block - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2009 from Keith BrayUpon reflection, the biggest stumbling block to get a journey started to a life I am happy with was seven little letters. HONESTY. Over many years I had lied to myself and others, I had been less the honest in dealings with others, and had created a Disneyland in my head which had become a ...
Views: 1045(1 vote) - The Uses of Smoking: A Body-Psyche Perspective - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2017 from Mark FivemanHow come nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patch and gum) only has a 7% success rate for quitting smoking? Why do people on nicotine replacement therapy still crave cigarettes? Clearly, there are reasons for smoking that go far beyond simple chemical addiction. This article, based on The ...
Views: 1496(1 vote) - Tired. A matter of acquiescence or despair. - by Submitted on Dec 21, 2009 from Bill White“Tired.” Just pause for a moment and ponder the word. Actually, it’s a very deep state of mind and heart, isn’t it? I mean, we all know what it’s like to be tired and ready for bed after a long day. However, I’m presenting the word within the context of being emotionally, mentally, and ...
Views: 1416(3 votes) - To the Persistent Goes the Prize - by Submitted on Feb 26, 2004 from Guy FinleyKey Lesson: Part I: It seldom occurs to us that whatever we persist with in our lives works to perfect the same, so that by allowing persistent negative thoughts and feelings to have their way with us, we unknowingly perfect self-punishment! Part II: As surely as raindrops have the power to ...
Views: 1540(1 vote) - Top 3 Reasons That Make Meth So Horribly Dangerous - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2010 from Serj SaganWhenever we hear something on the news about the “war against drugs,” meth is almost always mentioned as well. We hear about how badly it is spreading. For those of you who are around meth then you know that it is spreading throughout our neighborhood, our friends, even spreading to our kids. ...
Views: 8736(3 votes) - Two Things You Can Do Now To Reduce Your Holiday Stress - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2009 from Peggy FergusonWe know that once Thanksgiving is over, we will be having an increase in our stress. This yearly event, when the demands for our time, energy, money, and other resources increase exponentially, and our stress levels rises accordingly, is lovingly known as "the holidays". And each year, we just ...
Views: 1402(2 votes) - Understanding Motive - by Submitted on May 29, 2009 from Doug WilsonIf our goal is to get to the bottom of things, to find the cause in the effect, we will want to understand motive and it's place in the equation. Questions like, "why did I do that" or "why are people so mean", can all be explained by understanding motive. First we can remove all the ...
Views: 1740(1 vote) - Victim Behavior and What You Can Do About It - by Submitted on Jul 05, 2003 from David BruceOk, so what do I do about it? Here we go and lets get right down to it! Mental Chatter versus Emotions Victim Behavior is associated with many emotions, Shame is probably the most prevalent. Feeling overwhelmed is another. Feeling shame and being overwhelmed isn't particularly useful- so ...
Views: 7137(1 vote) - WALK.DON'T RUN. - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2010 from Keith BrayWALK. DON'T RUN Another reading reminded me of the title of one of those great old songs from my past- "Walk. Don’t Run". Who did that one? The Ventures I certainly remember when I finally accepted that my life needed major change, and found the courage to go out and get the help I needed to ...
Views: 1400(2 votes) - WANT A USEFUL LIFE? - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2010 from Keith BrayWant A Useful Life? Well, here I sit well into a new year. Over this period, I love to take time to reflect back, look at journals that go back many years, and appreciate the journey that has unfolded and what was the underlying motivation to take the journey I continue on. To the headline ...
Views: 1466(2 votes) - What do you believe ? - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2003 from Ian ClarkImagine if you saw the following headline in the mornings paper. How would it make you feel ? ' LANDING ON THE MOON WAS A HOAX ' Virtually all adults not only in the U.S but all over the world accept that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the 20th July 1969 walked on the moon, everyone has ...
Views: 1590(1 vote) - Why Am I...? - by Submitted on Jun 11, 2009 from Keith BrayA Moment of Clarity Ever have occurrences and thoughts in your life that seem to come out of nowhere, then reoccur over a period of time? I have been going through just that over the past few weeks. In my line of work, I see many people struggling to get a new life and grow in a new direction. ...
Views: 790(1 vote) - Why Grown Ups Need to Read Fairy Tales (Part Three) - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2009 from Glenn BergerWHAT THE TALES TELL US WE NEED TO DO What do the tales tell us we need to do to find our hearts and become what we are meant to be? What Bruno Bettelheim says for children is equally true for adults. “Fairy tales, unlike any other form of literature, direct the child to discover his ...
Views: 2925(2 votes) - Why Using an Ultimatum with a Problem Drinker May Not Work… - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2009 from Lauri Allison LaBadie...and what you can do about it! Bill and Betty had been dating for over a year and had made plans to meet for dinner. Bill arrived on time and waited. Betty called 30 minutes later letting him know she’d be late. There seemed so much potential for a relationship with Betty; Bill was smitten ...
Views: 3574(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: 8101(1 vote) - Review: hippopotamus sea; my viral sobriety by Norm Goldman of Bookpleasures.com - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2011 from Norm GoldmanAuthor: Jared Bryan Smith ISBN: 9780984595501 Jared Bryan Smith with his hippopotamus sea; my viral sobriety transports his readers to a place that most would not dare to go, or wouldn't even think of going. In excruciating detail, Smith's biographical account details the life of a tragic ...
Views: 1342(5 votes) - Tips to Stop Enabling - by Submitted on Oct 12, 2009 from Beverley GlazerThere are very fuzzy boundaries between helping and enabling. If you’re enabling, you think that you’re helping, but what you’re doing is anything but helpful. Here's some information so that you don't confuse the two. Helping When you help someone you are doing something that they cannot ...
Views: 15641(4 votes) - WILL THEY FIND OUT? (Or do they already know?) - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2009 from Keith BrayWILL THEY FIND OUT? (Or do they know?) I sit here today a relatively content man. That is the result of a journey to change that I found the courage to start some 15 years ago. Today, the constant worry about will they find out or even worse, do they already know is gone. What a ...
Views: 1243(4 votes) - Addiction Symptoms and Advice - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2009 from Lisa SimmonsSome people think think that it won't happen to them or their family, but the problem is that addiction is just as common as anything else. A compulsive type of personality is easy to fall for a varied number of types of addictions without recognizing or even understanding what's going on with ...
Views: 773(3 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: 3902(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: 4478(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: 4751(2 votes) - David Hassehoff's Alcohol Addiction – A Common Problem Often Easily Solved Says Michael George - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2009 from Michael GeorgeAddiction strikes an untold number of people across all walks of life. For many, alcohol addiction and drug addiction can be a slow, perhaps more acceptable form of suicide masquerading as addiction. Addiction can take many forms; from alcohol to drug addiction, food to gambling addictions and ...
Views: 1008(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: 7164(2 votes) - How To Find Motivation - by Submitted on May 21, 2011 from G. StewartI received a few queries into more information about the article '4 Reasons Why Self Improvement Activities Do Not Work; What To Do About It.' So I will elaborate more on this area. Recent questions for the most part seemed to want more explaining in the area of motivation. I noticed that I ...
Views: 1623(2 votes) - Please like me? - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2009 from Keith BrayPLEASE LIKE ME? I don’t know how many years I went through life deep down just wanting people to like me. Can you relate? As a kid, I had friends, but never felt that I was anyone’s “best friend”. I longed to be the person who got that first phone call or had people knocking at my door on ...
Views: 1265(4 votes) - Teen Gaming Addictions on the Rise in the U.S. - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2009 from Alexa NuessleTEEN GAMING ADDICTIONS ON THE RISE IN U.S. Study Finds 10 Percent of Children Addicted to Online and Video Games HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- Parents often joke that their children and teens “Just can’t tear themselves away from their video games.” Studies show parents it’s not a joking matter. ...
Views: 1570(2 votes) - Six guidelines on how to improve your patience and tolerance for your family during the holidays - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2009 from Peggy FergusonMost people experience a great deal of stress in that period of time between Thanksgiving and New Years, fondly known as “The Holidays”. Many of us, find ourselves becoming irritable, with our patience and tolerance stretched to the limit. Much of the impatience and intolerance involves ...
Views: 6426(7 votes) - Change Your Internal/External Environment If You Are Addicted to Porn - by Submitted on Dec 31, 2009 from Jay VanIf you are someone who has become concerned about your ever increasing interest and focus on pornography use, you may be able to stop porn addiction by changing your environmentally externally and internally. It will require a great deal of thought and consideration about the external ...
Views: 1170(3 votes) - Crystal Meth Addiction Symptoms and Signs - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2009 from Crystal SmithCrystal Meth is simply methamphetamine, which is very popular among drug users. This is generally crystalline in structure, whose street names are "icy" and "cristy". This is a very addictive type of drug. Statistics have shown that 42 percent of those who have tried it for the first time feel ...
Views: 2320(3 votes) - GET REAL (with expectations) - by Submitted on Oct 05, 2009 from Keith BrayGET REAL (with expectations) Another one of those readings that struck a chord, and reminded me of universal truths in life and recovering an abundant life! I am a very avid golfer; some have even accused me of being addicted to the sport. Funny, what I really like about golf is the ...
Views: 777(3 votes) - Marry Your Self First: Addiction, Depression, Divorce.... - by Submitted on May 20, 2010 from Ken DonaldsonI had a client say something very interesting to me last week…she suggested that because I was a mental health counselor, I, therefore, have minimal issues or challenges in my life. Ha! I wish! I shy away from sharing much of my personal story with my clients, as that is all part of ...
Views: 1826(3 votes) - From addiction towards healing - by Submitted on Nov 08, 2009 from Roger FontaineWhat are the steps to take to go from addiction towards wellness? This is the question which this article addresses as I outline the steps which my personal recovery took and which has been truly a miracle in my life and in the effects on those which I affect daily, mostly including my wife and ...
Views: 2132(4 votes) - 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: 2258(4 votes) - Consequences of an Untreated Gambling Addiction Can Lead To Many Life Problems - by Submitted on Oct 02, 2009 from Michelle TeeIf you or a loved one has a gambling addiction, you can probably understand the title of the article. Left untreated, a gambling problem or severe gambling addiction can create tremendous pain for the gambler or the family of the gambler. What happens when a gambling addiction goes untreated? ...
Views: 2713(2 votes) - "Old Agreements" from the Book Healing Shame and Addiction - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2011 from Paul RandakOLD AGREEMENTS I’ve been trying to make clear to you that the only worthwhile course of action, whether for a sorcerer or an average men is to restrict our involvement with self image, we must shatter our mirror of self-reflection. -Don Juan Matus When we look at the nature of addiction, ...
Views: 3401(1 vote) - A SPIRITUAL LIFESTYLE - by Submitted on Jun 18, 2009 from Keith BrayA Spiritual (not religious) Lifestyle Thought to Ponder . . .True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess. As I made a decision to do something about my life as it was back in 1994, early on I had the GOD thing thrown at me. Like most, I had attended Sunday school as a kid and at ...
Views: 1627(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: 4746(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: 2156(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: 4412(2 votes) - Addictions - by Submitted on Aug 31, 2009 from Nick CastellanoWe are all addicted to some form of chemical released in our bodies. In may be a socially accepted addiction such as requiring praise in your life, approval from others or being part of a team. Some addictions would be labeled positive and some negative, but they are all addictions never the ...
Views: 1346(2 votes) - AN EXPECTATION/PROMISE - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Keith BrayAN EXPECTATION/PROMISE You have decided to work hard on rebuilding a life that you are happy with. You understand the process ahead of you and realise that it will require commitment and hard work. You have set some goals. It is time to act, but you have normal fear about making big changes. ...
Views: 1479(2 votes) - Commumication In Recovery: Guidelines for Setting the Stage for Effective Talks with Your Loved Ones - by Submitted on May 24, 2009 from Peggy FergusonWhen you want to solve some important relationship or logistics issue, you help assist help ensure your effectiveness by appropriately setting the stage for communication. Remember these guidelines while trying to solve a problem in your relationship. 1. Think about what you want to say ...
Views: 951(1 vote) - Couple Communication: Back to Basics To Improve Your Relationship and Restore Happiness - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2009 from Peggy FergusonOne of the most important tools to develop or restore communication skills is the use of “I” messages. "I" messages are not as likely to elicit defensiveness. They actually increase the probability that your message(s) will be heard. With this simple change in how you communicate with your ...
Views: 4981(2 votes)