Annie asks: What do you mean when you say that addiction is a “choice”? Hi Annie – great question! I don’t believe that anyone chooses to become an addict – I know I didn’t. And in fact, most addicts never think they will be the ones to become addicted – that’s for the other guy. So I don’t believe that anyone signs up for Addiction 101, thinking “Yes, let’s be an addict, that will be fun!” But in every addict’s life, there comes a time when they know their lives are a mess. They look … [Read more...] about What do you mean when you say that addiction is a “choice”?
Addiction and Codependency
You Can’t Control Another Person, So Stop Trying!
Because we live on a planet of free will, each of us gets to make our own decisions. When we stop trying to change what we simply cannot change – especially other people – we can begin to live a much less stressful life. … [Read more...] about You Can’t Control Another Person, So Stop Trying!
The Name of the Game: How to Revive Your Ailing Self-Respect
Most of us are aware that we want to be treated with respect by other people. You probably find yourself becoming upset, angry or hurt when someone acts in a disrespectful way toward you, because it feels as if that person does not value you enough to treat you well. Self-Respect: What Exactly Is It? Self-respect works in the same way as being respected by others. When you value yourself enough to treat yourself well, you are acting in a self-respecting way. If you take good care of yourself … [Read more...] about The Name of the Game: How to Revive Your Ailing Self-Respect
Be the Change You Want to See
Everything starts with the Self. If our lives aren’t going the way we want them to, we must be willing to look inward to see how we’re contributing to that reality. This is the way to make the changes we want to see. … [Read more...] about Be the Change You Want to See
Yet Another Addiction Strategy from the BC Government: Is This the Best You’ve Got?
I am a proud Canadian and an even prouder Vancouverite. But when I heard that our government was going to “help” drug addicts by making possession of a small amount of opiates and other street drugs legal – ostensibly so that addicts would use together instead of in isolation and somehow, someway, protect each other from overdosing – I felt absolutely enraged. My immediate question for them was “Is this the best you’ve got?” THIS is their solution to the toxic drug overdose epidemic we’ve been … [Read more...] about Yet Another Addiction Strategy from the BC Government: Is This the Best You’ve Got?
