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Coming Out of Our Comfort Zones: Recovery From Addiction - by Candace Plattor- 8 Tips for Preventing Relapse to Alcohol or Drug Addiction - by Submitted on May 06, 2010 from Lucas Catton1. 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 ...
Views: 2892(2 votes) - A Few Alcohol Awareness Tips - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2011 from Mike MillerAs 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 ...
Views: 2887(3 votes) - LYING TO FEEL ACCEPTED - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2009 from Keith BrayLYING TO FEEL ACCEPTED I blog frequently for several reasons. I have “journalled” or blogged for years as a part of my life recovery. Simply, it lets me get things that are on the inside to the outside. I was taught that this was healthy behaviour and guess what? It helps. Honest sharing is ...
Views: 2884(6 votes) - What are the Objectives of a Total Program of Sex Addiction Treatment? - by Submitted on Mar 23, 2013 from Dorothy HaydenFifteen years ago, people didn’t even know there was such a thing as sex addiction, never mind how to get help for it. With Patrick Carnes’ groundbreaking book Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sex Addiction, people who suffer from self-destructive sexual acts had hope of knowing what ailed ...
Views: 2883 - Overcoming Sexual Addiction - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2010 from JJ SempleHave you ever watched TO CATCH A PREDATOR, the Dateline-NBC show with Chris Hansen. The show that breaks for commercial with the guy lying face down on the ground and a policeman’s knee in his back. These men, the ones busted on Dateline-NBC, don’t seem able to control themselves. And that’s ...
Views: 2874(4 votes) - Staying Sober After In-Patient Treatment: Ten Reasons To Follow Through With Continuing Care Even If You Don't Want To - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2010 from Peggy FergusonThe majority of patients who successfully complete inpatient and have the desire to stay clean and sober relapse in the first year after acute care treatment. Anyone who has been to inpatient treatment has noticed that the among the other patients around them, that there is a large percentage ...
Views: 2874(2 votes) - 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: 2859(1 vote) - 10 Common Dangers in Recovery - by Submitted on Nov 23, 2010 from Tim GrayHere 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. 1. Believing you are finally cured of your addiction. This is a dangerous form of denial. The lie is that you either are finally ...
Views: 2855(3 votes) - Let's Put our Speakers, Sponsors, Counselors, and Trusted Servants to Work Producing Facts - by Submitted on Jun 11, 2012 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),A.A. and AA.’s Own Talent Let’s Get Our Speakers, Sponsors, Historians, and Archivists Producing By Dick B. Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved Put A.A. and 12 Step Speakers, Sponsors, and Historians to Work! Now. Look at the Talent Before You Right Now! Right now, take a ...
Views: 2855(1 vote) - Spirituality And Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2008 from William BerryMany 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 ...
Views: 2845 - 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: 2844(3 votes) - Alcoholism: Disease Or Spiritual Crisis? - by Submitted on Nov 21, 2011 from Instant Advice Network ianchat.comIt may be appalling to watch high school students or college kids getting wasted. And it's easy to wonder how grown adults can cling to a habit as destructive as alcoholism. But drinking in excess has an important role in our culture. For many people, alcohol plays its first important role as a ...
Views: 2843(3 votes) - Opiate Addiction Symptoms and Signs - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2009 from Crystal SmithOpiate 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 ...
Views: 2836(1 vote) - ***Can the Functioning Alcoholic Last?: Part Three - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2011 from Dr. Neill NeillThere 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 ...
Views: 2817(2 votes) - Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and Anna Nicole Smith: Death is the Prescription, How Many More? - by Submitted on Aug 09, 2009 from Brian GreenPrescription 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 ...
Views: 2817(2 votes) - How Internet Porn Lies to You - by Submitted on Mar 23, 2013 from Dorothy HaydenWhat kinds of ideas is porn putting into our heads? If the wrong things keep getting dumped in, your mental environment can get so polluted that your life is going to have problems. One of the most vital parts of mental environment is a healthy idea of who we are sexually. If these ideas are ...
Views: 2808 - How to Overcome Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2012 from Fariborz ArbasiWhat 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 ...
Views: 2807(3 votes) - Impaired No More: Why Early A.A. Succeeded (The Core Ideas) - by Submitted on Dec 10, 2011 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),Impaired No More Why Early A.A. Succeeded and How You Can Too By Dick B. Copyright 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved The Core Ideas • Old Testament healings by the power of God: Ex 15:26; Ps 103:3. • The healings of Jesus: Matt 4:23; Acts 10:38. • Healings by the Apostles and ...
Views: 2803(2 votes) - An Alternate Path to Recovery - by Submitted on Dec 31, 2013 from Todd BranstonSobriety is an interesting thing, especially as most people initially attempt to find recovery at a 12-step meeting. The focus of this article is to discuss a different way of staying sober that is outside the confines of AA or NA, or a traditional approach to recovery. I used alcohol and ...
Views: 2802 - Gaining an Understanding of Sexual Addiction Are You A Sex Addict? - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2012 from Jay Tow, M. S. Counselor, Life Management and Relationship CoachWhat constitutes sexual addiction? This article addresses some common misconceptions. It also more clearly defines sexual addiction. I hope that those reading this article will understand that like all addictions, sex addiction is a progressive disease. It requires more and more to get the ...
Views: 2802(1 vote) - Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide News - 23 Centers Now Established - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2011 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),Christian Recovery Resource Centers – Worldwide As of January 1, 2011, this web page will be used in part for publishing contact (and other relevant) information about individuals, groups, and organization which become “Christian Recovery Resource Centers” affiliated with the International ...
Views: 2795(2 votes) - Codependent Problems in Relationships - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2012 from Darlene LancerEveryone laughs when I tell them that I wrote Codependency for Dummies. But codependency is no laughing matter. It causes serious pain and affects the majority of Americans, both in and out of relationships. I know. I spent decades recovering. There are all types of codependents, including ...
Views: 2795(2 votes) - Become a Therapist - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2012 from Rosemary PriceBecome a therapist - The problems that you could help others with are enormous, debilitating and horrendous. Something like agoraphobia can totally stunt a person's life as it does not allow them to go out. Someone who is recovering from abuse will be needing support too. Firstly let us ...
Views: 2794(2 votes) - Alcoholics Anonymous History Study with "Conference-approved" Foundations - by Submitted on Feb 08, 2012 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),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 ...
Views: 2789(1 vote) - Food Allergies and overeating--what's the connection? - by Submitted on May 01, 2011 from Julie SimonWe all have our favorite foods. For me, freshly baked bread and scones top the list. And for some of us, once we start eating these foods, we can’t stop. It’s as if they’re calling to us. Before we know it, we’ve eaten the whole carton of ice cream, or polished off the entire bag of cookies. ...
Views: 2789 - *** The 1-2-3-4 of Overcoming Addiction, Obesity and Disease - by Submitted on May 11, 2009 from Paul ChekCan you imagine a world without addiction, obesity and disease? If so, you may also wonder why, with our advanced medical systems, we are unable to improve the relative number of people suffering from these conditions. In this short article, I will overview what may be the world’s simplest, ...
Views: 2785(2 votes) - Mindfulness in Recovery - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2013 from Todd BranstonStaying 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 ...
Views: 2783 - Take a Drug Class before Considering Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2012 from Mike MillerWhy 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 ...
Views: 2777(1 vote) - Fantasies that Lead to Relapse - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2012 from Tim GrayI 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 ...
Views: 2771(2 votes) - Should You Quit Drinking? - Taking the First step - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2013 from Corey AveryIs 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 stern warning from the manager. It is when problems ...
Views: 2771(1 vote) - The Original 12 Step Book (1946) was distributed by A.A. until 1955 republished to make available to the general recovery comminity - by Submitted on Jan 15, 2012 from Carl Tuchy PalmieriFor Immediate release A Twice Born Book The Little Red Book* was the original book for doing the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It was endorsed by Dr Bob as a companion to The Big Red Book, better known today as The Big Book which was written by Bill W. The little Red Book is a, simple ...
Views: 2769(2 votes) - Can Video Games Have a Positive Effect on Life? - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2011 from Lisa M. Duvall"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), ...
Views: 2760 - Beware of Love Addiction - by Submitted on Mar 15, 2010 from Eva EvansIt 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, ...
Views: 2755(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: 2754(1 vote) - 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: 2736(1 vote) - Is Your Facebook Addiction a Sign of Loneliness? - by Submitted on Oct 03, 2011 from Lisa HaishaThe internet has been a wonderful thing, enabling information sharing and a host of other activities to effortlessly take place. However, like all good things, the internet has a downside – one that can ruin lives and destroy families. It’s called Internet Addiction. As a Hollywood therapist ...
Views: 2735(1 vote) - Love Addict Recovery: Setting Boundaries - by Submitted on May 09, 2013 from Jim HallIn the 'Love Addict in Love Addiction', I write a lot about the five core issues which is a large part of our pain and dysfunction in addictive relationships—one of these core issues of love addicts are Impaired Boundaries. Love addicts need boundaries. We need to set limits on what we shall ...
Views: 2734(2 votes) - Is Teen Drug Abuse and Alcoholism Reaching Crisis Proportions? - by Submitted on Apr 11, 2009 from Carl-Peter LehmannThe 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 ...
Views: 2726 - Holistic Healing and Quitting Smoking | Recovery From Within the Healing Hands of Self Discovery - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2011 from Michael WestbrookHolistic healing for quitting smoking is a type of recovery process that happens from the healing hands of within by treating each aspect of life as a well-deserving-of-attention piece of the puzzle. Understanding the complications you face in quitting smoking may help you begin to understand ...
Views: 2719(2 votes) - The Importance of Family Involvement in Substance Abuse Treatment and Addiction Therapy - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2011 from Steven GiffordFor 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 ...
Views: 2717(1 vote) - Spiritual Terms - What Does the Serenity Prayer Actually Mean? - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2013 from Peter MainThe 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. The wording and dating of the serenity prayer goes back far beyond the beginning of ...
Views: 2714(1 vote) - 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) - Gifted, Talented, Addicted - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2007 from Douglas EbyWriter Pearl Buck commented, “The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.” Winner of a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938, she also added, “By some strange, unknown, inward urgency they are not really alive unless they are ...
Views: 2713 - Sexual Addiction: A Brief Description, Part 1 - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2009 from Peggy FergusonIf you see yourself in this brief description of sexual addiction, it can be the beginning of achieving recovery and getting your life back. The hope is that there is recovery, that it is possible. "The journey of a thousand miles begins by taking the initial step". The good news is that you ...
Views: 2697(1 vote) - Beating Depression - by Submitted on May 05, 2012 from Rosemary PriceBeating depression takes a lot of determination and patience. I recently read an interesting but daft article - yes daft - that stated that people who have severe conditions and illnesses suffer from depression. Well it does not take much to work out that if you are in a lot of pain, or cannot ...
Views: 2692(1 vote) - ***Holistic Addiction Recovery from a Higher Perspective - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2016 from Dean TaraborelliHeal the Underlying Trauma for Full Recovery The Sanctuary at Sedona began with a vision of helping others achieve a full and sustainable recovery from addiction. That continues to be our mission. We have been fortunate enough to witness full recovery in the lives of many throughout the ...
Views: 2688 - Identification, Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse In Teens - by Submitted on May 14, 2012 from Ronald ParkerIdentifying 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 ...
Views: 2682(2 votes) - Alcoholic/Addict Recovery: Can Medicine, Religion, and 12 Step approaches Cooperate and Better Succeed - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2012 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),Overcoming Alcoholism and Drug Addiction 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 ...
Views: 2678(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: 2675(1 vote)