Helping a loved one with a substance use disorder such as alcoholism or drug use can be a harrowing experience for family members, friends, and relatives to navigate. However, “helping” is the key word here; according to researchers, there is a fine line between helping a loved one with an addiction and enabling them. What …
What Does Enabling Mean and How Does It Hinder Addiction Recovery? Read More »
For people with addictions, whether substance abuse or process addictions, understanding the various pathways that lead to addictive behaviours is critical to getting proper treatment and support. The connection between trauma and addiction Awareness of substance abuse is one of the keys to helping people understand what causes them to drink, take illicit drugs, or …
Addiction and co-dependency share a strong connection: shame. Shame is much stronger than guilt. Unlike guilt, which is rooted around specific actions, shame makes a person feel inherently wrong. This feeling of wrongness can lead to feelings of being unworthy, unlovable, and undeserving of kindness, success, and happiness. People with substance abuse issues are prone …
Healing Shame: The Core of Addiction and Codependency Read More »
There is much evidence to suggest that personality disorders and substance abuse are interconnected, though it can often be challenging to discern which condition came first. Substance use disorders and personality disorders Plenty of research has shown a strong correlation between substance use disorders and personality disorders. However, since the risk factors and causes of …
Addressing Personality Disorders and Co-occurring Substance Abuse Read More »
“Be where you are; otherwise, you will miss your life.” The Buddha Anyone who has suffered from addiction knows one thing is true: wading through intense thoughts and emotions minute-by-minute is overwhelming and often results in returning to the substance of choice. As a result, addiction is often referred to as a chronic brain disease, …
The Importance of Mindfulness in the Recovery Process Read More »
As many people will attest, living with an alcoholic is no easy feat. People who live with alcoholics or those with substance abuse problems get accustomed to specific behaviors. Alcohol use Friends and family members of alcoholics have likely tried everything in the book to get the person they love to stop drinking, and this …
5 effective ways to manage your mental health when living with an alcoholic Read More »
The ego has been a topic of fascination within the psychology community for centuries. All this is especially true when attempting to understand the origins of addiction and other forms of substance abuse. All this dates back to when Sigmund Freud developed his phenomenal personality theories when he first proposed that every human possesses three …
What is ego depletion and how does it make people more prone to addiction Read More »
by Renee W. Although I’ve had a handful of relapses, one will be cemented into my memory forever. Around three and a half years of sobriety, the restlessness began. I couldn’t sit, I couldn’t just be, I couldn’t concentrate. Then, the thoughts. The ones I never shared with anyone until way later. You’re probably not …
Having difficult conversations is never easy – this is especially true for the people we love, particularly when we suspect they may have a problem with addiction. Family members, friends and partners may have a hard time communicating with someone with an addiction. Firstly, there’s the shock factor that a person you love is suffering …
5 ways to communicate with a loved one if you suspect they have a problem with addiction Read More »
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.” You may have heard variations of this quote from Marianne Williamson in recovery circles, and for a good reason. Poison is the best way to describe unforgiveness, which leads to resentment. Resentment, defined, means “a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill …
Forgive and Remember: Letting Go of Resentments in to Protect Your Sobriety Read More »