What Al-Anon Can Teach Love Addicts Sex AddictionBy Promises AustinJune 27, 2016If you are a love addict, you revolve your life around other people. The most important thing to you is the sensation of being in love, but most of your relationships are turbulent and unfulfilling. You are usually drawn to people who are emotionally unavailable, and you have most likely had one or more relationships…
Can Nature Help You Overcome Addiction? Personal ResourcesBy Promises AustinJune 27, 2016Most people who’ve spent time outdoors may notice their spirits lift after a hike in the woods or a brisk walk on a sunny day. But is nature powerful enough to help people recover from addiction and mental health issues? Science and ecopsychology experts would argue yes. Nature Soothes the Troubled Soul It’s no mistake…
Mistakes and Do-Overs in Recovery RecoveryBy Promises AustinJune 27, 2016“You can never make the same mistake twice because the second time you make it, it’s not a mistake, it’s a choice.” – Unknown Recall the first time you picked up your drug or engaged in your behavior of choice. Perhaps it was when you snuck a sip from a glass or swig from a…
Is Your Addicted Loved One At Risk for Suicide? Family ResourcesBy Promises AustinJune 23, 2016People with addictions are at high risk for suicide. That’s why early intervention with treatment that addresses both the physical and emotional components of substance abuse is critical for addicts. Suicide and Addiction: The Silent Killer According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the…
Using Love as a Drug Sex AddictionBy Promises AustinJune 13, 2016Love addiction isn’t as easy to recognize as addiction to substances or to gambling. When you are addicted to chemicals, you revolve your life around chasing the experience of getting high. Anything or anyone that gets in the way of that experience is quickly discarded. The whole purpose of your life is to get high…
Anxiety: A Lifestyle Problem for Addicts AnxietyBy Promises AustinJune 13, 2016“About four months into sobriety, I knew if I didn’t address my anxiety, I would go back to drinking. It was so severe, and I had no way to relieve it,” says Catherine Henricks, MS. Her situation is not uncommon. An astonishing 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from anxiety, and they are two…
When Does Flirting Cross the Line From Innocent to Addictive? Sex AddictionBy Promises AustinJune 6, 2016Flirting is a natural human behavior. We use it as a tool to connect with others, especially romantically. It can, however, be an innocent way to socialize. Not all flirting leads to a romantic or sexual encounter, and to occasionally get carried away with flirting, even when you have a committed partner, is not problematic.…
Naloxone: Why There’s No Excuse Not to Save Someone From Opioid Overdose Prescription DrugsBy Promises AustinJune 6, 2016When someone you care about is addicted to prescription painkillers or heroin, it can feel like you’ve already lost them. Sadly, drug overdose deaths are more common than ever, taking the No. 1 spot in leading causes of accidental death in the U.S., surpassing even car crashes. As you watch your loved one spiral out…
4 Things It Helps to Understand About Addiction Relapse Relapse PreventionBy Promises AustinJune 6, 2016“I relapsed.” If you find yourself saying these words despite spending time, money and effort on your addiction recovery, you are likely feeling demoralized and distressed. How could you have jeopardized all that you worked for? How could you have let down not only yourself, but your family and friends? The tough truth about drug…
4 Things to Remember When Dealing With a Loved One’s Relapse Family ResourcesBy Promises AustinJune 3, 2016It’s heartbreaking when someone you love relapses into drug or alcohol use and all the hope and joy you felt upon believing they had conquered their addiction evaporates. The mental torture then begins: “I should have seen this coming,” “I feel so stupid” and “How could they choose this over me?” It’s a painful time…
