Loving from Afar

Most alcoholics and addicts derive from alcoholic and addicted families Frequently, the primary risk factor for those in recovery is their own families. This presents a conundrum, especially during family gatherings and celebrations when alcohol in particular flows...

A Bad Childhood

In The Prince of Tides Pat Conroy wrote, “There is no fixing a damaged childhood. The best you can hope for is to make the sucker float.” How many addicts does this describe? Most of them I would venture. A few suggestions:    It’s called therapy. Get some. Cherish...

Self-Compassion

Most of us have no problem feeling compassion – so long as this emotion is directed to others, especially those in need. But when it comes to feeling compassion for ourselves- well, we just don’t do that. Self-compassion is simply not in the repertoire. “Oh stop...

Playing the Movie Forward

The thrill of the chase and the prospect of a euphoric high can blind a person to consequences of even a single episode of drug use: sickness, disability, loss of consciousness and hence control, estrangement from family and friends, divorce, incarceration, overdose,...

Fast Food and the Crash

A steady diet of high-fat/simple carb fast foods is damaging to body, mind and soul. Human evolution did not anticipate deep-fried potato pieces! – likewise cookies, candy, chips, ice cream and soda. Calories not burned as fuel and not eliminated are stored as...

Diet

Does what you eat influence how you think? Absolutely! A diet heavy in simple carbs  – sweets including sodas, cookies, candy – and saturated fats, which include processed meats, French fries and ice cream, will negatively impact brain function – and...