Anyone who has been around 12-Step programs for any length of time has inevitably heard the old saying “Denial is more than a river in Egypt.” Indeed, when it comes to addictive behaviours of any sort, denial is definitely a whole lot more than a slogan. It is often the underlying dynamic that keeps an addiction active, even when the addict really wants to stop the behaviour. In this newsletter, I will discuss the role of denial in addiction, and the staggering impact it can have when someone … [Read more...] about Denial and Addiction: Becoming Aware of the Inner Voice that Leads to Self-Destruction
Addiction
Addicts Need to Understand Their Own Resiliency
Focusing all of your attention on the addict in your life – especially if they are still choosing to stay in active addiction – is not good for either of you. When we consistently do for them what they can – and should – be doing for themselves, we enable them by robbing them of the feeling of knowing their own resiliency. This keeps you in a state of worry and keeps the addict stuck in addictive behaviours. … [Read more...] about Addicts Need to Understand Their Own Resiliency
Codependency: A Self-Protective Behaviour? Here’s a Simple Definition
Do you try to avoid having to deal with conflict in your life? When you love an addict, that may occur even more frequently. … [Read more...] about Codependency: A Self-Protective Behaviour? Here’s a Simple Definition
Riding that Roller Coaster of Chaos
Do you feel like life with your addict is full of chaos when they are in active addiction? You’re not alone! … [Read more...] about Riding that Roller Coaster of Chaos
Coming Out of Our Comfort Zones: Recovery From Addiction
I believe that every person on this planet, without exception, uses at least one addictive behavior designed to distract them from having to deal with difficult feelings and painful situations. As controversial as that statement may be for some people, I stand by it. The Most Common “Comfort Zones” In my experience, both personal and professional, I have seen this over and over again. There are a great many options we can select from in order to cover up our discomfort; the most common in our … [Read more...] about Coming Out of Our Comfort Zones: Recovery From Addiction
