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
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12-Year-Olds Stabbing 12-Year-Olds: Are We Paying Attention Yet?
I read about this story early yesterday morning. And I thought about it often throughout the day, just shaking my head. I seem to be doing that a lot lately—and I don’t like it. But I have to admit, it took me a while before sitting down to write about this because I kept thinking to myself, “Should I write another piece that deals with the hideous violence we keep experiencing and hearing about day after day? What difference will it make if I do?” Now, the last thing I want is to … [Read more...] about 12-Year-Olds Stabbing 12-Year-Olds: Are We Paying Attention Yet?
Yet Another Shooting Spree: Will This Madness EVER End?
I saw the news today—oh boy…We are all shocked and outraged by Elliot Rodger’s shooting spree in Isla Vista, California—with 3 legally purchased handguns and over 400 rounds of ammunition. I can understand us being outraged—but shocked? Really??Two reasons we’re hearing so much about this shooting are: 1) the assailant’s father is the assistant director of the Hunger Games movies—unfortunately, a little celebrity seems to go a long way—and 2) the 22-year-old perpetrator was already known to have … [Read more...] about Yet Another Shooting Spree: Will This Madness EVER End?
AA Agnostica: Alternative Steps for Recovery from Addiction
I’ll always be grateful to 12-Step programs. Along with some other amazing Earth Angels that came into my life just at the right time, I credit 12-Step meetings for quite literally saving my life. Twenty-seven years ago, in the Springtime when many things begin to change and grow, I reached quite a low bottom with my drug addiction. From the time I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 1973, I began faithfully using the prescriptions given to me by my doctors: medications like Valium, … [Read more...] about AA Agnostica: Alternative Steps for Recovery from Addiction
More Violence—Over a 22-Cent Soda Tax! Whaaat???
This morning I heard about a man who was upset about having to pay a 22-cent tax on his bottle of soda. In a Chicago convenience store, he began to rant and rave about it before pulling a submachine gun out of his satchel. He threatened to kill everyone in the store, also telling a few customers that he was going to shoot each of them several times in the head. The whole incident was caught on the store’s surveillance cameras. Thankfully the police arrived in time to subdue him. Later it was … [Read more...] about More Violence—Over a 22-Cent Soda Tax! Whaaat???
