The importance of language in addiction conversations
When someone you care about is struggling with addiction, it can be hard to know what to say that helps; the words you choose can
When someone you care about is struggling with addiction, it can be hard to know what to say that helps; the words you choose can
Mary Brewster once said on an NYS OASIS podcast, “Imagine if every single word that is used to describe you is a word that hurts
What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘wellness’? You may think about healthy eating and exercise, speaking out about internal struggles, or journalling
My daughter recently asked me to watch a film about addiction with her. This film is called Beautiful Boy (2018) and is based on a
Addiction kills Last week, the death of Paul Danan, aged 46, was announced and his funeral was this week. It is yet to be confirmed
What is cosmetic surgery? Cosmetic surgery, also known as aesthetic surgery, is where a person chooses to have an operation or an invasive medical procedure
More people are dying from addiction than ever before Whether or not you were a One Direction or Liam Payne fan, his death last week
Remember how bad it was and take a day at a time We have been in the safe environment of a residential addictions treatment rehab
We do not want to admit we have a problem Without a shadow of a doubt, even taking in to account a degree of denial,
If you are an alcoholic or addict, you are more likely to become addicted to something else There are people who occasionally drink excessively –
The connection between addiction and co-dependency Codependent relationships are extremely common among people with addiction problems or people with an alcohol or drug dependency. So,
Recent growth in addiction The world is a rapidly changing place and there are many opportunities for people to become addicted to something: illegal drugs
Does addiction cause mental health issues or do mental health issues lead to addiction? There are two issues here: does a person with an existing
Addiction can become a cycle of daily destructive behaviour. The disfunction that evolves entails the presence of the 4 “C’s” of addiction: Compulsion, Craving, Consequences
Addiction is not caused solely by life experiences For any behaviour that is addictive and destructive we need to realise that the problem is not
Being an alcoholic or addict An alcoholic or addict is focused on their drug of choice to the exclusion of all else – they have
Why does an addict not want help? Anyone with an addiction will find that their life is being affected by their addictive behaviour and thinking.
What is addiction? Addiction is defined as a chronic and relapsing disorder characterised by compulsive engagement in rewarding action despite adverse and harmful consequences and
Porn addiction is progressive and creeps up on you To many, simply viewing porn is not seen as leading to a porn addiction or addictive
Realising we have an addiction Without doubt, there is that time when we know we have a problem. This could be from our own self
Typically a drinker will either deny they have had a drink when you are absolutely certain that they have – or they will tell you they have just had one or two when it is obvious they have had much more than that.
Why do people get addicted? There may be a number of reasons for this. Some people have a personality trait for which alcohol or drugs seem to provide a solution.
What are the best ways of supporting your child whose drinking or using is out of control? First, it may be the case that you think they have a problem but they do not think this.
Cannabis has several active substances. These include THC and related chemicals. The chemicals bind to molecules in the brain and digestive system.
If you are drinking more than one or two units every day then this is risky behaviour. Obviously the more you are drinking every day the more risky it is.
People who drink too much or who use drugs addictively will often tell you it is because of something that has happened in their life.
What is co dependency? If your mood, happiness, and identity is defined by another person, then you could be in a co dependent relationship.
Facing another Christmas living with an alcoholic or an addict can present different challenges.
Anxiety is a common emotion and we all experience it at times. It is an instinctive response to danger.
The reality is addiction affects normal people with sometimes live stressful lives
Co-dependency is generally when your mood, happiness and identity is defined by how another person is feeling. Co-dependency is a very painful condition which is stressful.
What will cause an addiction? Addiction. What is the cause? Why do some people become alcoholics, gamblers and drug addicts and others do not? We
Happy New Year! Happy New Year. Let’s all hope it will be a good one – happy, healthy and fulfilling. Failing that, let us trust
Around this time we often hear about the 12 Days of Christmas. This period starts on the 26th December (Boxing Day) and ends on the
This week is National Grief Awareness Week – which aims to make people aware of the effect of grief and loss throughout the UK, and
Are you in an unhealthy relationship? Are you worried that your relationship is making you unhappy? Do you feel unable to break free from a
The Wednesday of the first week in November sees us marking National Stress Awareness Day. We often hear about the stress of modern living and
In the depths of addiction, we find a vicious cycle of not understanding the affects of addiction on the mind and body. A painful place
Addictive personality traits make themselves apparent in a multitude of ways and affect many and varying people. People can have an addictive personality that make
Parents who have children with addiction often understand that the addiction has taken over their children’s life. To the point where they are unrecognisable. These
Being in active addiction, we have many common problems in our lives. Not all of these apply to every person in active addiction, but the
Living With An Addict My name is Polly and I grew up living with an addict. A woman who today is in recovery from her
Alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases that affect every member of the family. When there is alcohol/substance abuse in the family home it affects everyone,
An addiction is something that people often find difficult to define, but can generally be thought of as a dependence upon a substance or behaviour.
Even the most fearsome warriors in battle often must concede defeat and call for help. Without it they might not be the success that they
The hardest truth for an addict to grasp is that they are in fact an addict. Just as someone cannot be made to drink or
Many people who find themselves in a position where a loved one does not believe that they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. It
You know who I am, you’ve called me your friend, Wishes of misery and heartache I send, I want only to see that you’re brought
Many people ask what are the true signs and symptoms of alcoholism and drug addiction? When does one cross the line from being a social
The definition of ‘over indulgence’ Alcohol and drugs are harmful substances. It is important to be aware of the impact which they have upon the
In order to do identify your character defects, write a list of all your resentments and fears plus all people you have harmed. Then look
I first heard this phrase when I told my younger brother (a recovering alcoholic about 5 years ahead of me) that I was going to
Lots of addicts (alcohol, drug or gambling) think they have depression and that is why they drink or use. Lots of alcoholics and addicts tell
Considering your options This is a difficult question to answer, and is one that is personal to your circumstances when it comes to addictions. The
It is common for addicts to be unable to recognise they have a problem, and be in a constant state of denial. Family, friends and
Addictive personality traits make themselves apparent in a multitude of ways and affect many and varying people. People can have addictive personalities that make them
A dry drunk is someone who is no longer drinking or using but who has not changed their life, feelings or behaviour. Lots of alcoholics
Addiction, including alcoholism, is an incurable illness recognised by the World Health Organisation. Many of us with the illness are quite relieved to find that
Although we stop drinking, gambling or using, a lot of the thoughts in our head remain the same and we need to get to a
Are you wondering if you might have a problem with drink or drugs? Are you considering that you can’t be an alcoholic or addict, because
Working in the field of addiction, I get to know many alcoholics and addicts and at least at the start of their recovery, many of
When we were drinking or using, our lives were miserable. Perhaps not at the beginning but certainly by the end. By and large that misery
This is the key message of a reading from ‘Just for today’. It is a message I have heard often and on the surface its
Many people severely damage their relationship with their partner through drinking too much, gambling or using drugs. This is true for both the binge drinker
As a recovering addict i know i should be avoiding alcohol, drugs and specified medication. it is a simple concept for me to know I
There is a ‘Just for Today’ reading from Narcotics Anonymous about responsibility. It starts with a quote which states that a lot happens in a
God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know
For an alcoholic or drug addict, alcohol and drugs are absolutely no-go areas if we want to stay healthy. If someone had an allergy to
When in active addiction, most of us would not admit that our behaviour – if not our minds – were insane. If you were to
Those people who have very little experience of alcoholism, gambling or drug addiction will often have a stereotypical view of a park bench drunk with
This saying It’s the little things has a host of meanings. Those of us in active addiction can drink or use on little things –
Many alcoholics, drug addicts and compulsive gamblers are very strong, independent self-willed people who pride themselves on their achievements in life and their control over
Along with several million other people last night, I watched Downton Abbey (I also watched the Ryder Cup – the wonders of Sky Plus meaning
Those of us who are alcoholics and addicts know a fair bit about promises. So do our families though sadly they are probably more used
Addiction is expensive We all pay a very high price to get into addiction recovery. Addiction is an expensive illness and I have heard many
We are all of us products of our upbringing and our experience. We pre-judge others. One of the greatest benefits I have derived from my
When I was a child, I was brought up in a good working class family. We were well respected as a family and there was
First of all, I am of the firm belief that there is a family link which is likely to be genetic. Although the precise gene
Lots of active alcoholics, people using drugs or gamblers cannot understand why everyone is so bothered about what they are up to. After all, who
In order to accept help and give up an addiction such as drinking or drugs, we have to reach the time when we have had
I was recently at my daughter’s final assembly at primary school and the well know tale ‘Footsteps’ was told to them. Most of you will
This is a question that affects hundreds and thousands of people every day. It is usually the families of the addict who get desperate first
The simple answer to this is yes. Most people who become dependent on either alcohol, drugs or prescription medication. Or who develop other addictions such
With an internet connection now being offered to us at every opportunity throughout our daily life, be it on the train, in hotels and restaurants
It is very often that parents who have children with addiction will believe that the addiction has taken over their children’s life to the point
When we are drinking alcoholics or using drugs, we have many common problems in our lives. Not all of these apply to every alcoholic or
Many of the people attending the Haynes Clinic come because they are addicted to one particular substance. Be it alcohol, one of the fairly prevalent
Many of the people who come into treatment tell me they have depression or some form of personality disorder. While I do not disbelieve them,
Pain is the root of knowledge. So says the reading in ‘Each Day A New Beginning’. I firmly believe that it is through painful experiences