SEPTEMBER IS RECOVERY MONTH Do you know that September is Recovery Month? I think it’s amazing that a whole month has been set aside as a time to honor recovery from addiction—this shows that the times definitely are a-changin’ and that a great many more people are getting the message that recovery truly is possible. This is great for those who are struggling with addictive behaviors—from alcohol and drugs to gambling, to compulsive over-spending, to sex addiction, to Internet addiction, … [Read more...] about Attention All Loved Ones of Addicts: Let’s Come out of the Shame Closet and Recover!
Loved ones of addicts
“I Know I’m Enabling But….” Recovery from Addiction in the Family
After working for nearly 25 years with the loved ones of people struggling with addiction, I’m still amazed by how many come to their first session with me and say “I know I’m enabling, but…” Do you have an addicted loved one in your life? Are you already aware that you’re doing things you probably shouldn’t be doing, in the guise of ‘helping’ them? And even if you’re not getting the results you’re hoping for, do you still continue to enable them anyway—often for way too long? A logical … [Read more...] about “I Know I’m Enabling But….” Recovery from Addiction in the Family
Rob Ford’s Dilemma: His Denial or Our Blind Spots?
Unfortunately, Toronto’s mayor Rob Ford has become quite the laughingstock. He’s the guy people love to shoot down at the water cooler—and anyone who watches late night TV is aware that of the comedic fodder he’s been supplying the hosts for far too long. I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering how this situation has gotten so out of hand, giving Canada a huge black eye on the international landscape. ADDICTION DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT The way I see it is that this sort of fiasco doesn’t … [Read more...] about Rob Ford’s Dilemma: His Denial or Our Blind Spots?
“Loving an Addict, Loving Yourself: Surviving the Holidays” Free Tele-Class
Is loving an addict driving you crazy? Are you at your wit’s end, trying to cope with this situation? Are you worried about how to deal with the upcoming Holiday Season? All too often, loved ones of people struggling with addiction suffer right along with them, not knowing what they can do to help—and often doing things that actually enable the addiction to continue. For those of you who are loved ones of people with addictions, the holidays can be a most stressful time. On Wednesday, December … [Read more...] about “Loving an Addict, Loving Yourself: Surviving the Holidays” Free Tele-Class
Sometimes Love Looks like “No”: When to Set and Maintain Healthy Boundaries
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 DAY Several 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 a great time talking with the interviewers about … [Read more...] about Sometimes Love Looks like “No”: When to Set and Maintain Healthy Boundaries
