Online Gamer Tells His Story of Addiction and Recovery RecoveryBy Promises AustinNovember 27, 2014Video game addiction may not be an officially recognized condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM), but most addiction experts wouldn’t deny its existence. The DSM-5 lists Internet gaming addiction as a condition that warrants more evidence before it can be formally recognized, but it’s widely expected to be fully included… Details
Step Four: Minding My Own Business Personal ResourcesBy Promises AustinNovember 25, 2014Mindfulness is the heart of my recovery. I’ve said it in AA meetings, I’ve said it in NA meetings, I’ve said it to my sponsor and I’ve said it to my friends. I’ve also written about it here, in many different contexts: from mindfulness and exercise to mindful walking, mindful cooking or describing a mindful… Details
The Grief of Losing an Addiction Drug Addiction InfoBy Promises AustinNovember 25, 2014Addicts fear many things and these fears are what keep them in denial and prevent them from getting help for far too long. One common fear is simply being sober—losing the addiction that has dictated their lives for so long. It may seem counterintuitive, but when an addict goes through recovery and gets sober, he… Details
Fatal Heroin Overdoses Have Doubled HeroinBy Promises AustinNovember 22, 2014Heroin and prescription opioid medications have common origins in naturally occurring substances found in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Among other things, this means that both heroin and prescription opioids are capable of producing fatal opioid overdoses. In a report issued in October 2014 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, researchers from the federal… Details
Cultivating Resilience in Addiction Recovery RecoveryBy Promises AustinNovember 21, 2014Think of the word “resilience” and consider what you know. Children are often called resilient, and indeed many are. Despite falls, scrapes, breaks or a lack of “good enough parenting,” many children continue to develop normally—eventually entering adulthood without incident. In fact, they may even thrive. But what about children (and adults) for whom life… Details
The Decision Every Codependent Needs to Make Personal ResourcesBy Promises AustinNovember 20, 2014When you love an addict, the disease of addiction has a big impact on your life. It may happen quickly or it may happen slowly, but you ultimately develop a problem of your own. It’s called codependence. When you have this problem, your life revolves around someone else’s decisions. Life has become unpredictable and upsetting.… Details
Which Personality Types Are More Prone to Addiction? Personal ResourcesBy Promises AustinNovember 19, 2014Psychologists and psychiatrists use the term personality to describe the core characteristics of outlook and behavior that distinguish each human being. An individual’s personality traits can have a major influence on whether he or she gets involved in substance use or develops serious substance problems. In a study published in October 2014 in the journal… Details
The Many Triggers That Precede Relapse Relapse PreventionBy Promises AustinNovember 15, 2014Staying sober requires constant vigilance and awareness of the many things that could trigger a relapse. Some relapse triggers are obvious, such as hanging around bars or wandering around neighborhoods known for high drug trafficking activity. Even continuing to hang around with friends or acquaintances who habitually use alcohol or drugs can be dangerous and… Details
Food and Mood in Addiction Recovery RecoveryBy Promises AustinNovember 13, 2014Food has a powerful effect on both our bodies and our minds. Just how much food impacts our brains and our moods is coming to light with research. This information is important for addicts in recovery because a downswing in mood can lead right to a relapse. There are many reasons to eat well in… Details
RAVE Act Backfires, Increases Risks for MDMA Harm NewsBy Promises AustinNovember 13, 2014The RAVE Act is a piece of federal legislation enacted in 2003 as part of an attempt to reduce the use of MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly), a stimulant/hallucinogen known for its ability to produce severe or fatal health problems in some users. In a report presented in August 2014 to the Annual Meeting of the American… Details
