February 17th, 2019
A very important aspect behind the mechanics of addiction is that of automaticity. When our addictions establish themselves, they do so by slowly eroding and circumventing our conscious ability to choose. While we . . .
February 3rd, 2019
The mechanics of both addiction and recovery are deeply biological, as well as emotional and mental processes. But little is discussed in the realm of biological influences of addiction except for the changes in the brain. . .
January 27th, 2019
Recovery from addiction is available to everyone. There is no need to be special or exceptional in any way to make the changes necessary to overcome the reliance on addictive substances or behaviors. The only real requirement. . .
January 20th, 2019
Life is, indeed, wild, precious, and fleeting. There is no way to avoid the temporariness of life, we are faced with it daily. The very best we can do is learn to accept life’s wild and everchanging nature. . .
January 13th, 2019
Deciding to stop an addictive pattern can seem like an unwanted ending. Often, even when it is wanted, it is only desirous from the standpoint of desperation or necessity. And it can represent an ending of sorts. . .
January 6th, 2019
Addictions are an attempted shortcut. If a substance or behavior is relied upon heavily enough that it becomes an addiction, it does so because it seems to create some sense of temporary well-being. . .
January 1st, 2019
At their center, addictions are an attempt to regulate and control our emotional experience. They are always a misguided attempt to ensure that life unfolds in an emotionally comfortable and predictable way. . .
December 23rd, 2018
Addiction can be viewed as a great opportunity. Addictions develop as a misguided attempt at emotional protection. Though it may seem as if the focal point of addiction is that to which we are addicted, and while separating ourselves. . .
December 16th, 2018
On the continuum of mental health that runs from emotional and mental chaos on one end to rigidity on the other, addiction lies painfully on the rigid end. Addictions are created both to numb painful emotions as well as to endeavor. . .
December 9th, 2018
Never are we the same person that we were yesterday; at least incrementally we are always changing—emotionally and physically. Physically, most of the cells in our body imperceptibly die and replace themselves continuously. . .