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SelfGrowth.com Recommended Articles:
Coming Out of Our Comfort Zones: Recovery From Addiction - by Candace Plattor- Acceptance Versus Change - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2010 from Helga MatzkoGestalt Theory states that “Change happens when one becomes who he really is, not when he tries to become what he is not” (Beisser, p. 77, 1970). This principle of change implies that in the process of maturation an individual introjects familial and societal attitudes and beliefs about himself ...
Views: 1601(2 votes) - ASKING FOR HELP - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2010 from Keith BrayASKING FOR HELP We roll into a new week, and I look forward to it! Interesting things happened last week, one in particular that reminded me that I have no control over people in my life, particularly my adult children. While I can’t control them, I am amazed, with all the work I have done on ...
Views: 1538 - Binaural Beat Self Hypnosis for Alcohol Addiction - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2010 from Jane Maati SmithYou can stop drinking alcohol, and you can take your life back. You can regain your health, have peace of mind, and truly attain the confidence to do all the things you want to do in life. Just lay back, close your eyes, and relax.... you can stop drinking, and a happier, healthier, longer life ...
Views: 4227 - Addiction to Gossip - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2010 from Margaret PaulA member of Inner Bonding Village asked the following question:"I'm a little confused. My mother is visiting me, and sometimes we have a nice time together. But often her way of bonding with me or anyone else is to talk about other people's problems. Most of the time I find it draining. It ...
Views: 4766(1 vote) - Are You Addicted to the Internet? - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2010 from Shift Your Life Tracy Latz M.D., Marion Ross PhD.Internet Addiction- The Internet Webs We Weave Can Be Sticky If you have had difficulty with obsessive on-line gaming, cyberporn, compulsive internet surfing, excessive emailing, Facebook, Twitter, myspace, ‘Second Life’, Skype, cybersex, on-line affairs, ebay surfing, or excessive time spent ...
Views: 1173(2 votes) - Exercise and Recovery - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2010 from Kristi AbbottExercise can be a helpful tool when recovering from an addiction, as it provides a way for you to keep busy and be healthy. According to Dr. Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, exercise can help relieve stress and reduce depression, both factors that can help reduce the rate of ...
Views: 2025(4 votes) - Recovery Can Be Difficult - Yoga Can Help - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2010 from Kristi AbbottAnyone who is going through recovery for addiction to alcohol, drugs or any other addiction, faces a lot of challenges. There are many emotions that are felt during the process and it is a difficult time for the person in recovery and for the family. The person needs to face the problems that ...
Views: 1812(4 votes) - 12-Step Recovery and “Things of God.” A Perfect Match. - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2010 from Judy Herzanek~ by Joe Herzanek I’m often asked, especially by many in the Christian Community, if the AA 12-step program conflicts with Biblical Christianity. Some feel that the two just don’t go together. Personally, after three decades of studying and being part of both groups, I have to ...
Views: 1898(3 votes) - BE TRUE TO SELF! - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2010 from Keith BrayBE TRUE TO SELF! And this above all, to thine own self be true. And it must follow as night the day, thou canst not be false to any man. --Shakespeare "To thine own self be true." "Live the life you were meant to live." "Be the person you were meant to be." These statements convey a ...
Views: 1582(1 vote) - Co-dependence Means Always Having to Say You're Sorry! - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2010 from PD RiversYou would never consider your self an addict. You could quit anytime, right? What am I talking about? No, I am not talking about alcohol or drugs or even gambling. I am talking about co-dependent relationships. CAN you quit anytime? Probably not. Statistics have proven that some people can only ...
Views: 2559(1 vote) - Understanding How Emotional Reactivity Can Get Us Stuck - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2010 from Katrina Holgate MillerUnderstanding How Emotional Reactivity Can Get Us Stuck And How to Get Off of the Flypaper. “So, Doc, what’s wrong with my head?” Latesha looked at me pensively. It sounded like a set-up for both of us. The two months she had spent in bed had something to do with her attending to the ...
Views: 1356(1 vote) - The Law of Sobriety: Attracting Positive Enery for a Powerful Recovery - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2010 from sherry gabaThe law of Sobriety takes the principles of the Law of Attraction and puts them to work for the specific purpose - to help individual’s recover from their addictions, whatever that addiction might be including alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, food, co-dependency, love, and or shopping. ...
Views: 2173(1 vote) - Over-the-Counter Abuse - Beware! - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2010 from Dr. Mark AgrestiNot too long ago, four local elementary school children ended up on respirators in the ICU after they each took 20 Coricidin tablets to get high. It was a good 36 hours before they were out of the woods. What started out to be an afternoon of fun, turned out to be a life-and-death struggle for ...
Views: 2124(1 vote) - ***Values in Recovery - Part 1 - by Submitted on May 14, 2013 from Recovery NationUnderstanding the Role of Values Values are intended to help you lay a solid foundation for permanent change. This three part series is focused on the single most important aspect of your recovery: your values. Specifically, your ability to recognize, develop and use your values in practical ...
Views: 10333(1 vote) - MORE ON ANGER - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2010 from Keith BrayMORE ON ANGER Today, I had the pleasure of reading an exert from a book called “In God’s Care” by Karen Casey. What a great reminder about the power of anger. How many people do you run into in your own life that give off vibes that make you feel like there is a volcano present and just about ...
Views: 1170 - A Brief History of the 12 Step Program by Alcoholic Anonymous - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2010 from addiction professorIf you haven't heard of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12 Step Program, you are a rare individual. AA started the 12 Step Program in 1935. The 12 steps collectively make up the methodological approach developed for fighting alcoholism, as well as other addictive behavior patterns. Dr. Bob ...
Views: 1801(1 vote) - Receiving Help from a Substance Abuse Professional - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2010 from addiction professorThere are many substance abuse professionals who are trained to help others to overcome substance abuse problems. It doesn't really matter how your addiction started, what matters is what you're willing to do about it now that you're in its grip. It can be very difficult to release control of ...
Views: 1206(1 vote) - One Drink Too Many? - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2010 from David OttWhen Is One Drink, One Drink Too Many? A growing number of individuals in our society are being born with, or have developed, an inability to tolerate alcohol. If, for genetic reasons, an individual lacks the natural enzymes and chemicals necessary to metabolize (break down) any food ...
Views: 3466(1 vote) - What psychological and physical problems develop after stopping opiates? - by Submitted on Oct 20, 2010 from Dr. Mark AgrestiLet’s look at the opiates first. An opiate is a narcotic pain killer like Roxycodone, Oxycodone, Loratabs, Loracet, Methadone, Vicodin, Actiq, and Stadol. The action of these drugs may last varying amounts of time and has varying doses. For example, some people can be on 100mg a day of Oxycontin ...
Views: 12610(2 votes) - What are the intrapsychic mechanisms of a drug-dependent individual? What are addicted people thinking? - by Submitted on Oct 20, 2010 from Dr. Mark AgrestiInitially the attraction is euphoria taking a mini vacation. Someone once told me getting high is like God putting a warm blanket around you and rubbing your temples telling you everything will be alright. This is a powerful draw. The mini vacation to escape life’s hardships becomes more ...
Views: 2708(2 votes) - Are there any Prescription Drugs that will Block the Cravings of Alcohol? - by Submitted on Oct 20, 2010 from Dr. Mark AgrestiIt’s the Holy Grail in the world of addiction to find drugs that will block the craving for alcohol. There are three medications on the market that have been studied and show some benefits. Pros and Cons of Drug Used for Alcohol Dependency or to Block Craving Campral, also known as ...
Views: 9171(1 vote) - The Most Important Relationship Is With Yourself - by Submitted on Oct 20, 2010 from Dr. Mark AgrestiI want to share two stories to help those with drug problems -- or those with loved ones who have drug problems -- see how addiction works and how it can be overcome. My clients, Belle and Bob, were both addicts. Belle managed to dig herself out. Bob did not. At the most basic level, these ...
Views: 2670(2 votes) - If I Wanted to Leave Alcoholics Anonymous. . . - by Submitted on Oct 13, 2010 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),If I Wanted to Leave Alcoholics Anonymous. . . Dick B. © 2010 Anonymous. All rights reserved First of all, I don’t! But let’s just say: (1) That I’m thinking of drinking. (2) That I’m really not “willing to go to any lengths” to prevent that from happening. (3) That I’m beginning to ...
Views: 2606(1 vote) - How to Survive the Blame Game from Addiction and Family Members - by Submitted on Oct 04, 2010 from Katrina Holgate MillerRita 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: 1709 - 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: 2346(4 votes) - A NIGHT OF HOPE - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2010 from Keith BrayA NIGHT OF HOPE Every now and again, we can all use a “shot” of hope. Last night was a great one for me. With all the stats that I keep seeing on addiction recovery, the exploits of people like Lindsay Lohan and the “name” athletes and celebs we are bombarded with and the tough times we are ...
Views: 1542 - Detachment. How Can I? - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2010 from Judy HerzanekWhen life becomes one crisis after another, when emotional pain and endless drama become “the norm” what am I supposed to do? Over the past few decades I’ve received this question a lot. Recently it has become the #1 question. Why is that? What do I suggest to families who have arrived at this ...
Views: 1925(1 vote) - Why You Should Go to Rehab for Addiction Treatment - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2010 from Peter MaplethorpeIf you have an addiction to a substance, drugs or alcohol, you may often wonder what the benefits of a rehab are and why you should go to rehab for treatment. It takes a lot of courage to decide to get treatment. It means that you have accepted that you have a substance addiction, which you ...
Views: 1995 - Let's Not Be Angry at Addicts for Relapsing -- Let's Talk Real Treatment - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2010 from Thomas ReesI wrote this comment in response to a writer who raved against addicts for not being held to some standard of getting better, and my take on his article was he was frustrated with the addicts for relapsing in such high numbers, which is true -- and is outrageously expensive. I think there is ...
Views: 1888(2 votes) - How and Why to Test Your Teen for Alcohol and/or Drug Use - by Submitted on Feb 26, 2011 from Thomas ReesDrugs are presented to every teenager at one point or another. No matter what the discussions at home have been, no matter what a “good boy or girl” that your kid really is, the curiosity of what drugs are about will likely grab him or her at some point in time because here is what the trend ...
Views: 3883(2 votes) - Can Addicts Cure Themselves Without God? - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2010 from Angie LewisCan addicts cure themselves? Absolutely not! If we believe that we are a part of God and He made us in His image, than how can we step outside of this belief and be healed by some other source. Only those people who really do not have faith and trust in God would take such a stance. I was on ...
Views: 1887 - Do You Have to Want to Get Well for Treatment to Work? - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2010 from Amy LashwayDo you need to WANT to get well for treatment to work? We have all heard the line… “You can’t force someone into treatment, they have to want to get well for it to work”. I must say, I wholeheartedly disagree and I believe this fallacy has lead to devastating consequences for people who ...
Views: 1687(1 vote) - What to ask when choosing a treatment center - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2010 from Amy LashwayWhat Treatment Coordination and Advocacy Suggests you Ask When Choosing a Treatment Center Choosing a treatment center can be an overwhelming and confusing process for anyone, let alone someone who is scared, anxious and may be seeking treatment for the first time. This is one reason why ...
Views: 1263(1 vote) - Addiction and the Brain - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2010 from Lisa EspichHow can he be so selfish? He can clearly see how much pains he's causing - why doesn't he care? I can't take the stress any longer. He's destroying all of our dreams. Our lives have become Hell. Isn't he tired of living this way? These are the typical thoughts that run through your mind when ...
Views: 1977(2 votes) - RECOVERY IN THE TWELVE STEPS - A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2010 from Darlene LancerMany mental health professionals do not understand the 12-Step recovery process, unless they have participated in a 12-Step program. Although they may encourage their clients to do so, they may feel perplexed or intimated, or act patronizing. Often, therapists don’t realize that the 12-Steps are ...
Views: 4422(1 vote) - Addicts Need to be Empowered, not Told They are Powerless - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2010 from Lucas CattonIt's no secret that our health care system is broken, while insurance costs keep rising, yet a major problem that continues to be overlooked is the addiction treatment system and its deteriorization of success. Gone are the days where people are responsible for their own condition, only to be ...
Views: 1617 - How to Separate the Help From The Hype In Addiction Treatment - by Submitted on Sep 22, 2010 from Peggy FergusonThere is so much "information" on the internet about addiction and recovery and unless you already have some knowledge about addiction and recovery, all resources may appear equal to you. This is not the case. There are advertisements, articles, and blog posts about addiction recovery ...
Views: 2035(2 votes) - What Are Your Strengths? - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2010 from Katrina Holgate MillerThe human ego is like a chained up dog. It is always hungry, and it depends on others to feed it. Go a day without social validation and you will feel deep pains of starvation in your soul. It’s as though the little man or woman inside encounters others with a silent plea, “Tell me I’m okay.” ...
Views: 1328(6 votes) - TOP 10 REASONS I USE - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2010 from Keith BrayTOP TEN REASONS I USE From my friend Patrick Meninga at “Spiritual River”, I want to share this article with you. If you see yourself in it, you need to talk with someone before you become a statistic! The Top 10 Excuses that Addicts and Alcoholics Use to Justify Their Addiction – and Why it ...
Views: 1580 - The Law of Attraction and Letting Go of Addictive Behavior - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Anne Merkel, Ph.D. NDWhen people choose to let go of addictive patterns or behaviors they often are successful in doing this using their personal willpower. They set a conscious intention and then terminate the behavior. This may work successfully for many, but for others it is not enough to consciously put ...
Views: 7600(2 votes) - Clearing Causes of Addictive Behavior with Energy Psychology and EFT - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Anne Merkel, Ph.D. NDUsually when addicts decide to let go of their addictions they exert their own personal force of will to make necessary changes in their lives. For some this works, as long as their faith and willpower both hold up. The many 12-Step programs available are all very helpful. These utilize a ...
Views: 4968(1 vote) - Drug Addiction Counseling – A Light on an Addict’s Dark Path - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2010 from addiction professorYou can find drug addiction counseling centers everywhere. They come in all shapes and forms. There is no excuse for not being able to beat an addiction. So many treatment programs exist; there are outpatient programs, inpatient, phone counseling programs, and support group meetings. All this ...
Views: 1399 - How Drug Abuse and Addiction Affects the Brain - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2010 from addiction professorDrug addiction and abuse can be prevented. Research has shown that prevention programs that involve families, schools, and communities can help reduce drug abuse. It is important for the youth and general public to understand the real risks of drug abuse and addiction. Community leaders must ...
Views: 1934(2 votes) - Alcohol Rehab Center - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2010 from addiction professorFor someone who has never had a problem with alcohol, it can be difficult to understand why someone cannot simply stop drinking. Doing battle with a true addiction is never going to be easy, which is why an alcohol rehab center can be so beneficial. What to Expect from an Alcohol Rehab ...
Views: 1506(1 vote) - Cognitive Behavioral Techniques for Abstaining from Alcohol - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2010 from Kenneth AndersonWhether you plan to abstain from alcohol for a day, a week, a month, or a lifetime, the use cognitive behavioral strategies has been proven to greatly increase your chances of success. Dr. Jeffrey Brandsma's (1980) classic study showed that people who learned cognitive behavioral strategies were ...
Views: 4528(1 vote) - Top 10 Best Alcoholics Anonymous Alternatives List - by Submitted on Aug 31, 2010 from Melanie SolomonOver the past few years, I have examined the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous and a lively discussion has followed these posts. AA is a group that many have very strong feelings about - both positive and negative. For some, AA has been a life-saver and allowed them to manage their ...
Views: 10208(2 votes) - What Are You Thinking? How Your Thoughts Affect Your Recovery From Addiction - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2010 from Candace PlattorHave you ever wondered about the impact of your thoughts? By now, most people have either seen the movie The Secret or have heard about it. By showing a number of different situations and how people respond to them, The Secret teaches that we are creating our lives with every thought we have, ...
Views: 3253 - The Salvation Army/an A.A. Source: Article One - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2010 from Richard Burns, J.D. (pen name Dick B.),The Salvation Army: an A.A. Source Article One Dick B. © 2010 Anonymous. All rights reserved It took many years of research before I was able to find and discuss the many strong links between the Salvation Army and Alcoholics Anonymous. And the links were of several different ...
Views: 2636(2 votes) - Is Your Loved One Ready For Alcohol and Drug Treatment? - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2010 from addiction professorJust because you want your teenage son to quit drinking, that does not mean he is ready for an alcohol and drug treatment program. The odds are he does not even think he has a problem. Most addicts do not. An addict has to desire change himself. If he’s not ready to change, then he will make no ...
Views: 1239(2 votes) - ***What Will They Think? - Love and Approval Addiction - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2010 from Margaret PaulWhen you were growing up, how often did you hear, "What will they think?"Who are "they?" Unfortunately, "they" are everyone. Many of our parents and caregivers were love and approval addicted and geared their behavior to try to have control over getting love and ...
Views: 5466(3 votes)