It’s hard to know what came first for Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) in the mystery thriller “The Girl on the Train” — alcoholism or depression. What is apparent is that these two issues were inextricably linked and compounded by one another, and helped fuel her downward spiral. Depression or Alcoholism: The Chicken-Before-the-Egg Phenomenon Viewers don’t…
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The holidays can be a difficult time for people who struggle with the impact of childhood traumatic experiences and PTSD. Trauma therapist Laurie Kahn, MA, MFA, LCPC, is the founder and director of Womencare Counseling Center, co-creator of the Trauma Consultation Program, and author of the forthcoming Baffled By Love: Stories of the Lasting Impact…
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By Matthew Goldenberg, D.O. If you are a professional whose alcohol or drug use has gotten out of control, you may be telling yourself that when the New Year comes, you will reach out for the help that you need. Your addiction is likely telling you that you can make it through one more holiday.…
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The holiday season is a time to reunite with those we care about. But togetherness doesn’t necessarily translate into those heartwarming scenes we’re taught to expect by songs, movies and advertisers. Instead, we may end up stressed, frustrated and resentful as old patterns repeat themselves, priorities clash and memories resurface. That family baggage you’ve accumulated…
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By Matthew Goldenberg, D.O. Are you feeling stressed on the job? Here is some reassuring news: Stress is not all bad. In fact, research indicates that occasional episodes of stress can actually act as a performance enhancer, boosting focus and alertness. However, if stress levels get too high or become chronic, the result can be…
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A work addiction might begin innocently enough: perhaps you stay late at work a few nights a week to finish up a project with a looming deadline. Working under pressure and getting things accomplished gives you an elated, euphoric feeling, and when the next important project rolls around, you jump at the chance to take…
DetailsWhen people leave a drug rehab center, they’re prepared to face dozens of well-known relapse triggers — old drug-abusing friends, stress, anger, boredom, and poor nutrition and sleep, to name a few. What they may not be on the lookout for is their relationship with their family. Yet many addiction specialists agree that family dynamics…
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By Dr. Greg Skipper, MD When a doctor or other professional shows signs of a problem with drugs or alcohol, an intervention is the next step. I’ve led many of these addiction interventions, sometimes speaking to the struggling professional one-on-one and sometimes joined by family members and others who can lend their influence and encouragement.…
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By Greg Skipper, MD A friend of mine went to play golf in Scotland, and while there he went to a pub to get a sandwich. The pub owner asked why he was in Scotland. My friend responded, “To play golf.” The owner retorted, “Laddie, you are in the right place.” The bartender then offered…
DetailsAddiction and dysfunctional relationships provide a dizzying array of interactions that are sometimes daunting to comprehend, let alone resolve. Each person’s role in the affiliation shifts and changes depending on their habitual means of viewing the world, as well as their entrenched communication styles. Based in part on family-of-origin patterns, in addition to learned behaviors,…
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