We are currently looking for an Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to "Abuse and Recovery". If you have expertise in Abuse and Recovery and your own website and/or product for this topic, please review this form for complete details. The Official Guide Position is part of our Premium Placement Package
Sobriety is a lot more than not picking up a drink or chasing that drug. It is a constant process of preventing relapse. The reason that the process is constant is because there are certain factors and obstacles that cannot be avoided and only stand to complicate the process of recovery. This ... Views: 1749
Selfishness has a negative connotation in our culture; but it’s not selfishness, it’s a lack of empathy that hurts others. While I am no Ayn Rand acolyte, I do agree with her argument in “The Virtue of Selfishness”. Taking care of oneself is not only reasonable; it is necessary – necessary for ... Views: 1748
This week I've been working with how much courage it takes, for those who are people-pleasers , to be authentic. It's a fact that you can't set a boundary to take care of yourself, and take care of the other person's feelings at the same time. For many, the prohibition against hurting someone ... Views: 1748
Written August 5, 1990
All I really wanted to say was "I'm sorry."
I had said some hurtful things to my Father. But he had been dead for three years. How do make amends after they're gone? It wasn't perfect, not like him being there, but I was talking to him anyway. Just making up a ... Views: 1747
Can we ever really be free of the past that haunts us, the voices in our heads that tell us lies and make us do things that we don’t want to do? Can we be free of our subconscious?
The Showtime Entertainment™ series Dexter™ is a dramatic statement of those questions. Dexter Morgan is a genial ... Views: 1747
Rita was married to Jimmy for twenty years before she finally “got it.” She had begged Jimmy to stop drinking many times, but words did not change his behaviors. Words such as, “if you want a relationship with me, you will have to stop drinking,” or “If you keep drinking, you will die young” ... Views: 1747
Stalkers have narcissistic traits. Many of them suffer from personality disorders. The vindictive stalker is usually a psychopath (has Antisocial Personality Disorder). They all conform to the classic definition of a bully.
Before we proceed to delineate coping strategies, it is helpful to ... Views: 1745
Check out this quick list of alcoholism facts.
I'm sure you'll be surprised at some of the items in this list.
Alcoholism cuts across gender, race, and nationality.
Learning about the disease and how to protect yourself from it is essential.
Here are the ten facts on alcoholism you ... Views: 1743
If we truly want to live a happier life, we must dig deep and learn to forgive. Forgiveness is the most precious treasure that we can give ourselves and each other.
When we are willing to take responsibility for forgiveness, we are guaranteed a life of peace, gratitude, wisdom, expansion and ... Views: 1740
In 2009 Rob Allen published an article on the Guardian website called Prison is no place for children. That statement still rings true today. He continues to say that "The prison inspectorate's disturbing report of the culture of violence and fear in Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution (YOI) ... Views: 1735
I used to want and expect someone, a counsellor, a lover, a psychiatrist, a priest to cure me. I thought they owed me the answer to my problems and had it in their power to relieve me of my pain. After all, they were professionals, for the most part, who were qualified or positioned to see my ... Views: 1733
Sherry (not her real name) was brought to my office by her husband who had grown concerned that she wasn't herself lately. She didn't take care of the kids, she cried all the time and she wouldn't look at anyone. She didn't protest much just sat there wringing her hands and stuttering over her ... Views: 1732
Why? It’s a question I have been asked many times both personally and indirectly through my web page. So which why am I being asked here? There are so many whys in my past; it’s quite difficult to pin each one down. This scenario I am sure mirrors the lives of so many people, still unable to ... Views: 1731
With the staggering amounts of rehab centers in Florida in place, it is difficult to determine which drug rehab program is best. For anyone who is dependent on drugs or alcohol looking for recovery, it's a choice that can change their lives.
For anyone who has suffered through the devastating ... Views: 1729
pgs. = http://www.acoarecovery.com – Then click on SITE MAP
ACoAs = adult-children of alcoholics & other abusers
A = Abandonment
(A) = Adult
As = Actions
A/A = Abuse & Abandonment
AC = Adapted Child
AEC = Adult Ego State
B = ... Views: 1725
Addiction can ruin lives, derail dreams and finally, it can even kill. When you are living in the throes of your addiction can seem like there is no way out, and that no one can help you. Long term addiction can change a personality, ruin someone financially, separate you from your family and ... Views: 1721
An Oscar-nominated documentary called “The Invisible War” tackles the seemingly taboo subject of rape and sexual assault in the military. ABC News covered a quick story of the documentary and featured three women who bravely volunteered their personal stories of being raped while enlisted in the ... Views: 1721
It was more than twenty five years ago, and it was a day that I will never forget. I had given birth to my second son in the beginning of September. I brought him home to a one bedroom apartment. The bedroom was big, both of my sons slept in there and my husband at the time and I slept on a ... Views: 1721
One characteristic of human societies is that people come together and seek closeness with others in the face of traumatic experiences. "Emotional attachment is probably the primary protection against feelings of helplessness and meaninglessness; it is essential for biological survival in ... Views: 1719
There is ritual sexual abuse and there is ritualized sexual abuse. The terms are sometimes interchanged, but for the purpose of this article I am delineating between the two as Ritual Sexual Abuse being cult or cult-like abuse in which “the abuse has a spiritual or social goal” (David Finkelhor, ... Views: 1717
All of us have had painful life experiences in the past. If we are lucky, we can just shake them off and get on with our lives. But sometimes experiences of trauma and loss can affect us so deeply that months and even years later; we still feel the impact in our daily lives. The aftermath of ... Views: 1717
In the fall of 1986 someone said to me "You write very lyrically. Are you a poet?" I replied pretty vehemently, "No, no, I'm not a poet!" as if I was physically trying to push away the concept. I was also ignoring the fact that I had published poetry in a school literary magazine when I was in ... Views: 1716
People who try to quit smoking on their own are often unsuccessful in doing so. Enrolling in smoking cessation programs like auricular therapy is the right solution.
Smoking creates numerous health problems and can lead to early death. Many people want to quit smoking, but this is far from ... Views: 1714
MAKE THEM SUFFER !
The same way they made me suffer!
This post, of course, is about those of us raised in a variety of abusive,
dysfunctional families & communities
AS CHILDREN
a. External CAUSES - Growing up, our parents & other adults:
• blamed us unfairly, for all kinds of things ... Views: 1710
Emotional safety is vague when it isn’t there, and it’s ever so palatable when it is. What is being emotionally safe? And how does this serve as an indicator...an internal red flag of a potentially destructive relationship.
What is emotional safety?
Emotionally safe is a feeling ... Views: 1709
People ask me what kind of domestic abuse assessment screen helps someone who is abused to see the light. In providing assessments for thousands of people, I’m convinced that a tool that reveals the subtle communication patterns of abusive relationships helps someone being abused to awaken ... Views: 1707
When a pregnant woman is suffering from drug addiction, the situation is more serious because the effects of drug use not only applies to her, but her fetus is facing danger as well. It’s quite likely that when the child is born, it will suffer from bad health from day one.
Illegal drug ... Views: 1706
When we understand narcissistic tendencies, we see how living through a False Self is a recipe for discontentment, anxiety and disappointment. Narcissistic tendencies such as needing approval, status and significance from ‘outside of self’ create a painful life. Rather than establishing being ... Views: 1704
Abusive situations in families do not happen in isolation. It is neither bad luck, nor is it the fault of the victim of abuse. Abuse happens within a culture of abuse. That is, there is something that is handed down over the generations that encourages those who abuse and allow those around the ... Views: 1698
IDENTIFYING PTSD FROM CHILDHOOD ABUSE
And 3 STEPS TO BEGIN HEALING
Bettina “Sparkles” Obernuefemannn
I’ve learned during the past 20 years that almost all of us on planet earth have experienced some kind of trauma or loss, now more commonly recognized as POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER ... Views: 1693
Throughout my childhood I received consistent messages that demonstrated the power of a dysfunctional family. The disease of my parents and abusers robbed me of my boundaries and individuality – the right to have a self.
Remembering back now, through the years of oppression and sexual abuse, ... Views: 1690
Abusive Behavior Part 3
By Wayne L. Misner
(MenDontListen@aol.com)
18. Were you abusive with your children?
The breakdown of the 94.71% who answered:
Male Female
... Views: 1686
In order for something to develop in the right way, it will need it to receive the right things. If this doesn’t take place, it might still grow but it is not going to grow in the same way as it would otherwise.
Nature
For example, if a tree was planted in the shade, it is not going to ... Views: 1686
Model, Mafia Wife, Mother, and Stunt Driver—has packed a lifetime of lessons into forty-eight years. This is the true story of one of Hollywood’s most successful female commercial stunt drivers. A woman who can dominate a two-ton vehicle at high speeds, but off road has careened from one ... Views: 1685
One of my favourite sayings is "It's never too late to have a happy childhood". This is particularly true for survivors of sexual abuse. When you are a survivor and you struggle to function in daily life, you missed out on the vital ingredients to a happy childhood: emotional support, care, ... Views: 1684
When you reach a point in your life that you realize that alcohol is creating problems, then you know that a change is required. Some people drink far more than the doctor recommends but are completely happy with the effect upon their life and their health, and that's fine; you are the person ... Views: 1684
Nothing is everything. Nothing is that absolute. The next time someone tells you that nothing is impossible ask them to dribble a football.
However, your attitude does play major roles in everything you do, what you become, and how happy you are. We see everything through the filters in our ... Views: 1680
Note: the real names of the author and her publisher are used with their permission.
“Mr. Hays, I really loved the book your book, “Search For Peace.” I spent all weekend reading it, and I just couldn’t put it down. I’d like to talk to you about publishing it.” Those are thrilling words ... Views: 1679
During one’s early years, they may have had two parents who treated them well. As a result of this, they may look back on their childhood with fond memories.
And due to how they were treated when they were younger, there is a strong chance that they will have a good relationship with them ... Views: 1677
It’s dark and I have no idea of where I am nothing around me looks Familiar, I can hear voices just out of eye shot. My head feels as if it may explode and I am fighting the urge to throw up. There is a swell of disinfectant hanging in the air which is not helping me much. I sit up in bed and ... Views: 1675
Should I leave my relationship? This question is probably one of the top ten reasons people have come into my practice asking for help. I am a therapist who prefers to work preventatively. I would like someone who is in the market for a relationship to already be in therapy. A good therapist can ... Views: 1675
I once acted for a woman who had four children, ALL of whom were the victims of extreme Domestic Violence. In fact, by the time she came to see me she had already lost her eldest son to suicide brought about through extreme and repeated abuse inflicted by his father.
I will never forget her ... Views: 1675
I have just been asked by my counsellor about my sexuality, a question I have been waiting for that took its time to arrive. The answer has been in my mind for so long waiting to be announced. I truthful didn’t know. So what were my options here? It seems through choice that I am Heterosexual, ... Views: 1675
Adult NPD Survivors Further Assaulted By Ignoramuses
When people hear that I have chosen to have no contact with my highly toxic, aged mother and father they always tell me how sorry they feel for my parents. I can only assume that in me they see a happy, well-adjusted adult woman and must ... Views: 1674
Evan exploded. His one-year-old son had dropped cereal on the floor for the third time. Usually, Evan has lots of tolerance when his son dropped things, but today he had none. He knew his reaction was over the top for something relatively minor. Later, when he thought about his reaction he ... Views: 1672
Are you in an intimate relationship where violence is a part of your exchange? Does one or the other of you lash out physically toward the other? Do you want it to stop?
There is lots of information out there about intimate partner violence. Just google the term and today there were 4,680,000 ... Views: 1670
After a DUI arrest, your whole life feels thrown off course. A single mistake could cost you your career and future, but it doesn’t have to. Although having a DUI on your criminal record (or a criminal record at all, for that matter) could complicate certain things, a DUI arrest is also a ... Views: 1669
I’m sitting in a big room that makes me feel so small I don’t even recognize the man sitting in front of me but he seems to know all about me by their conversation. My mum is telling him about the fact that I have started wetting the bed, how could she tell this stranger that about me? I feel so ... Views: 1667
Anabolic steroids are abused by people, both sports stars and non-athletes, to enhance performance or physical appearance, or both.
Steroids may also be used to increase muscle size or reduce excess body fat and therefore widely used by men and women suffering from muscle dysmorphia, that is ... Views: 1667
Our environments are all that matters. The people in it have a direct impact on the quality of our lives. Ways to ensure a life free from abuse and torment, is to clean out your environment. No matter how small or insignificant the interactions may be, we must always be aware that everything ... Views: 1666