This post was originally published in December 2014. Another year has gone by and “The Holidays” are fast approaching—although if you’re anything like me, you’re still wondering where September went! The time has come when we are once again seeing commercials on TV and in magazines about how wonderful the Christmas season is, that it is better to give than to receive, and how warm and loving families are, especially at this time of year. But the reality is that, for many of people, this is … [Read more...] about How to Enjoy the Holidays When You or Your Loved One Has an Addiction
Loved ones of addicts
How to Enjoy the Holidays When You or Your Loved One Has an Addiction
This post was originally published on December 12, 2014 Another year has gone by and “The Holidays” are fast approaching—although if you’re anything like me, you’re still wondering where September went! The time has come when we are once again seeing commercials on TV and in magazines about how wonderful the Christmas season is, that it is better to give than to receive, and how warm and loving families are, especially at this time of year. But the reality is that, for many of people, this is … [Read more...] about How to Enjoy the Holidays When You or Your Loved One Has an Addiction
Sometimes Love Looks Like “No”: When to Set and Maintain Healthy Boundaries
This article was originally posted on October 2, 2013. Is it possible to have a healthy relationship with someone who is in active addiction? What needs to happen for that to occur?If you are in that situation, you have probably wondered about this many times.THE QUESTION OF THE DAYSeveral weeks ago I was interviewed on Talk Recovery radio, a new program on Vancouver’s Co-Op Radio station, dealing with addiction and recovery issues. I was honored to be chosen as their very first guest, and I had … [Read more...] about Sometimes Love Looks Like “No”: When to Set and Maintain Healthy Boundaries
Family Addiction: Are You Affected by Another Person’s Addictive Behaviours?
Are you the loved one of someone struggling with an addiction?Would you like to become part of the solution, instead of staying stuck in the problem?These days, addictive behaviours are so rampant that it’s virtually impossible to imagine how many people are affected by them. Having worked as an Addictions Therapist for over 25 years—with both addicts and their loved ones—what I know today is that for every one addict, there are generally at least 10-20 people directly affected by that person’s … [Read more...] about Family Addiction: Are You Affected by Another Person’s Addictive Behaviours?
I’ve Been Chosen as a “Best Blogger”!
I’ve always been amazed at the ebbs and flows of life. When I was going to 12-Step programs many years ago, one of my favourite sayings there was, “This too shall pass.” As time went on, I began to trust that if something I didn’t like was happening in my life, it would eventually shift and change—hopefully into something better, if I was willing to do the inner work to make that happen.Of course, this was also true of the things that were happening that I did like—so I had to become willing to … [Read more...] about I’ve Been Chosen as a “Best Blogger”!