When someone you love is struggling with addiction, it’s natural to believe that more love, more support, and more understanding will help them heal. But for many families, this approach—while well-intentioned—can actually keep the cycle going. Addiction and mental health challenges don’t exist in isolation. They are deeply connected, and they often pull entire families into patterns that are difficult to recognize and even harder to change. When Coping Turns Into a … [Read more...] about Why Love Alone Isn’t Enough: Mental Health, Addiction, and the Role of Family
Addiction
Valentine’s Day Without the Fantasy: A Love Story that Starts with You
Ah yes… Valentine’s Day. That glittery, heart-shaped holiday that shows up right after we’ve survived Christmas and New Year’s Eve—emotionally, financially, and in some cases, chemically. Have you ever wondered whose bright idea it was to schedule three emotionally loaded holidays in a row? For many people, the stretch from December through February can be the most difficult time of the year. Add problematic relationships into the mix—and especially addiction or recovery—and this season can … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day Without the Fantasy: A Love Story that Starts with You
The “Magic Question” Can Tell You a Lot
People Using Addictive Behaviours Are Making That Choice
No matter how you are behaving with someone using addictions, your behaviours do not cause that person to use. That is a decision that the addicted person makes. You did not cause somebody else’s addiction and you don’t have to feel guilty about that. The person using the addiction is the one making that choice—period. … [Read more...] about People Using Addictive Behaviours Are Making That Choice
What Do Practicing Addicts REALLY Feel?
Even though practicing addicts already feel badly about themselves, it is still important for them to feel the consequences of their behaviour. This is what helps them make the decision that living life as an addict is NOT what they want. When we take these consequences away from them, we are enabling them and the addiction continues. … [Read more...] about What Do Practicing Addicts REALLY Feel?
