Tag Substance dependence
It’s not easy to talk about unhealthy behaviors. Sometimes, though, difficult conversations are necessary in order to find health within a situation. But, before those conversations occur, I believe we should be sure of what we see. Take a tree… Continue Reading →
One of the biggest and most pervasive myths associated with Addiction is that “deception is the disease.” I’ve heard that statement in so many different contexts that I fear it has now become common knowledge. The thing is, however, is… Continue Reading →
Typically, I leave my house at 6:15 AM for work. Most mornings, I’m rushed and hustle about my home at an almost frenetic pace; gotta beat the traffic, gotta be there on time. While I drive, my mind races over… Continue Reading →
Tammy knew that she would never use heroin. Though she’d been addicted to Oxys for over two years, heroin wasn’t in her future. Really, she wasn’t one of those addicts – no way no how was she a junkie and… Continue Reading →
The other day, I ran into an old friend who has now been sober for quite a while. He’s enthusiastic about his recovery and tries to help others get into twelve-step programs. He said that he was talking to a… Continue Reading →
I was having lunch with a colleague whom I respect very much when I learned that I haven’t given my practice much thought. Which is to say that I haven’t given it any thought. When she asked me what types… Continue Reading →
I’ve spent hours watching spiders spin webs, wait, and then blast anything that lands in those webs with a shot of venom. Maybe I need some hobbies, but spider watching is among the most beautiful sights in nature to me. … Continue Reading →
One of the frustrating things about working with substance abuse are repeating scenarios. One such recurring theme is that of family roles and how the addict within a family tends to fill the scapegoat role. Often, families come to need… Continue Reading →
As a writer, I collect metaphors. As a substance abuse counselor, I use the metaphors I collect to help illustrate different topics. One of those illustrated metaphors is featured here: I saw this and stuck in a web right outside… Continue Reading →
Talking with someone struggling with an addiction can be frustrating. Not for the reasons that you might think, but because they’re so mired in self-hate that almost every thought he or she utters is a projection of that self-hate. So,… Continue Reading →
