MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'alcoholic'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:02:23 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159847&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Faa-works-long-term%2F Conclusions The findings highlight the unique and positive impact of AA involvement on long-term SUD treatment outcome and extend understanding of why AA is beneficial for patients. Research report; Predictors of 4 year outcome of community residential treatment for patients with substance use disorders. Addiction. 2008 Apr;103(4):671-80. Laffaye C, McKellar JD, Ilgen MA, Moos RH. See also; Brief-TSF is designed to as adjunctive therapy for anti-craving medication. Twelve Step Facilitation 12th Step Works Are there Patterns to Denial Behavior? :Sweden Likes AA TooAlcoholics Anonymous with Narcotics Anonymous success in England12 Step Treatment Reduces Healthcare DemandSpiritual Awakening for RecoveryDouble Trouble in Recovery (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159847 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 02:27:00 +0100 5159847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5131056&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fan-honest-review-for-twenty-four-hours-a-day-hazelden-education-materials%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $14.95 $6.86 Since 1954, Twenty-Four Hours a Day has become a stable force in the recovery of many alcoholics throughout the world. With over nine million copies in print (the original text has been revised), this “little black book” offers daily thoughts, meditations, and prayers for living a clean and sober life. A spiritual resource with practical applications to fit our daily lives. “For yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision” is part of the Sanskrit proverb quoted at the beginning of the book which has become one of the basic building blocks for a life of sobriety. In addition to a thought, meditation and prayer for each day of the year, this handy, pocket-sized volume also contains the Serenity Prayer and... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5131056 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:40:08 +0100 5131056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5131057&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fhonest-review-12-stupid-things-that-mess-up-recovery-avoiding-relapse-through-self-awareness-and-right-action%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $14.95 $8.15 Are you sabotaging your own recovery? To grow in recovery, we must grow up emotionally. This means getting honest with ourselves and facing up to the self-defeating thoughts and actions that put our sobriety at risk. Although there are as many ways to mess up recovery as there are alcoholics and addicts, some general themes exist, which include: confusing self-concern with selfishness not making amends using the program to try to become perfect not getting help for relationship troubles believing that life should be easy In simple, down-to-earth language, Allen Berger explores the twelve most commonly confronted beliefs and attitudes that can sabotage recovery. He then provides tools for working through these problems in daily life. This... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5131057 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:40:09 +0100 5131057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069829&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Finteresting-video-just-another-night%2F This is a pretty good video I came across. Wanted to share it with everyone. EnjoyAuthor’s Description: Just another night, I stare at my empty Wonderin how much it will take for my feelings to I been runnin’ from something, just ain’t sure if it’s me or When the glass is empty the time passes for the next round, jukebox playin And the neon lights hum a melody, of an all too familiar Thoughts come crashin’ down like shooting The memories they come and go, some left me with The bartender, she asked me I said that’s what I came here to Order the next round, it should drown my She could see I’d been hurt bad, I’ll be hurtin worse She poured two shots, said cheers to the wreckage of the Well I can certainly drink to I kept on drinkin’ she t... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069829 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:00:06 +0100 5069829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036580&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fmy-review-for-a-gentle-path-through-the-twelve-steps-the-classic-guide-for-all-people-in-the-process-of-recovery%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $18.95 $6.91 Revised Edition. Carnes offers us exercises, inventories, and guided reflections for those of us facing the daily challenges of attaining or maintaining an addiction-free lifestyle. This revised edition of A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps is a treasure chest, a rich and powerful resource for anyone working a twelve-step program. Carnes is a gifted teacher and leader in the addiction recovery field.Wendy Maltz, M.S.W., Sexual Healing Journey This unique, non-threatening workbook emphasizes common themes at the heart of all Twelve Step fellowships…an especially clear explanation of what “working the program” means.Claudia Black, Ph.D., It Will Happen to Me The revised A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps gets my hi... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036580 Sat, 16 Jul 2011 12:00:10 +0100 5036580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953369&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fa-review-for-stray%2F Best Price $3.99 Therapist Tomas Cleaves is many years sober from his addiction but is now losing his mind. He is sure that the addicts he treats must have infected the womb of his wife. Add to that the occasional seizure and voices in his head, he may be more unstable than any of his clients. And with clients like Jason Boston Senior, the Ancient Heroin Wizard, who moves about the citys underground like the Merlin of smack, Tom is in desperate need of a client who can give him some hope. James White is one such client– a newly orphaned alcoholic dead bent on drinking again until he finds himself rescuing lost strays at the next door animal shelter. It is here that he meets the mystical nurse and animal control worker Rachel. Rachel cleans cages, rescues strays, but then has the unfo... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953369 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:00:09 +0100 4953369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953373&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2F12-steps-for-a-sponsor%2F Twelve Steps of SponsorshipThese can be applied to all 12-Step anonymous fellowships such as Al-anon, Alateen, Gamblers Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous etcI will not help you to stay and wallow in limbo.I will help you to grow, to become more productive, by your definition.I will help you become more autonomous, more loving of yourself, more excited, less sensitive, more free to become the authority for your own living.I cannot give you dreams or “fix you up” simply because I cannot.I cannot give you growth, or grow for you. You must grow for yourself by facing reality, grim as it may be at times.I cannot take away your loneliness or your pain.I cannot sense your world for you, evaluate your goals for you, tell you what is best for your world; because you have your... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953373 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:36:13 +0100 4953373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893925&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Falcohol-warnings%2F New Alcoholic Drinks Label Warnings Due to increasing products liability litigation, all liquor manufacturers have accepted the suggestion that the following warning labels be placed immediately on all varieties of alcohol containers:WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what the hell happened to your bra and pantiesWARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not.WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to think you can sing.WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe that ex-lovers are really dying for you to telephone them at four in the morning.WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make y... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893925 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:08:16 +0100 4893925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841990&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAddictionInbox%2F%7E3%2FbnM0icM6qOE%2Fbill-manvilles-booze-book.html A “professional bar fly” who flirted with death and Helen Gurley Brown. "From the drinking man's classic, Saloon Society, back in the Sixties, to his sadder but wiser Cool, Hip and Sober, Bill Manville has consistently provided an honest, insightful first-person account of where alcoholism begins--and where it ends.”  So said the respected Keith Humphreys of Stanford University’s School of Medicine, when Manville’s account of beating booze was published some years ago. What makes his book unique in the annals of addiction books, so far as I know, is the additional blurb on Cool, Hip and Sober from none other than Cosmopolitan Magazine founder and Sex and the Single Girl author Helen Gurley Brown, who wrote: “I never read anything like this and am thrilled to recommend the... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841990 Thu, 19 May 2011 03:39:11 +0100 4841990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872483&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FHpjG0gbvcCY%2F Why Do I Keep Doing That? A recovery book that builds on overcoming the insanity of doing the same thing and expecting different results.Why We Do What We Don’t Want to Do–and How to StopWhy Do I Keep Doing That? Why Do I Keep Doing That? explains why we all experience the “compulsion to repeat” and discover the most successful ways to stop doing what we don’t want to do . . . whether we drink it, smoke it, snort it, pop it, spend it, gamble it, eat it, work it, feel it, or have sex or a relationship with it.As a recovering alcoholic, Dennis Wholey knows firsthand what it takes to break an addiction. In his New York Times bestseller The Courage to Change, Wholey brilliantly changed the way people viewed the negative pattern of substance addiction. Now, in this highly anticip... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872483 Sun, 08 May 2011 14:55:00 +0100 4872483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872489&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2F0G0MuxtzXeI%2F Two recovery books in one.Detachment and Enabling combines the two classic, user-friendly texts designed for loved ones, codependents, of chemically dependent people.After you have done all you can to help an alcoholic/ addict and he or she continues to drink or use, it’s time to detach. Detachment tells us how we can continue to love someone who is chemically dependent and, at the same time, no longer focus on that person’s behavior. It is about taking back our lives. Enabling describes the problems we can encounter when we focus on the alcoholic or addict in order to keep peace at any price. The authors encourage us to consider if we are really helping the alcoholic or ourselves when we prevent the alcoholic from feeling the true consequences of his or her actions.- Order to... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872489 Thu, 05 May 2011 17:18:00 +0100 4872489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789646&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Falcohol-and-cancer%2F Alcohol and cancer: a position statement from Cancer Council Australia – 2011The Cancer Council Australia (CCA) Alcohol Working Group has prepared a position statement on alcohol use and cancer. The statement has been reviewed by external experts and endorsed by the CCA Board.Alcohol use is a cause of cancer. Any level of alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer; the level of risk increases in line with the level of consumption.It is estimated that 5070 cases of cancer (or 5% of all cancers) are attributable to long-term chronic use of alcohol each year in Australia.Together, smoking and alcohol have a synergistic effect on cancer risk, meaning the combined effects of use are significantly greater than the sum of individual risks.Alcohol use may ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789646 Wed, 04 May 2011 16:45:00 +0100 4789646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4771346&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FagcQoTi0I3A%2F 20 Questions; Are You A Recovering Alcoholic?To find out, ask yourself the following questions, and answer them as honestly as you can.Do you find more time for work these days?Has your home life become happier?Do you find that you are less shy with other people?Is the fact that you are not now drinking affecting your reputation positively?Are you waking up in the morning without guilt and remorse?Are your financial difficulties becoming easier to manage?Do you turn to sober companions and a superior environment?Are you now more concerned with your family’s welfare?Has your ambition increased?Do you have a craving to pray and meditate at a definite time daily?Do you feel gratitude when you wake up in the morning?Do you sleep better?Is your efficiency increasing?Is not-drinking affect... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4771346 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:54:00 +0100 4771346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4759044&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fa-review-for-alcoholics-anonymous-big-book%2F Best Price $4.99 Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Features:Original First & Second Edition ForewordsDoctor’s OpinionMain 164 PagesSpiritual Experience40+ First and Second Edition StoriesMain 164 pag... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4759044 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:00:09 +0100 4759044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709425&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fseattles-best-mexican-food-how-much-can-you-eat%2F A short film starring Christopher A. Miller as a hungry desperado needing to quench a dispute between his stomach and a hot plate. Filmed on location at Gordito’s Healthy Mexican Restaurant in beautiful yet deadly Greenwood area of Seattle Washington. Who will win this saga as the night moon approaches? Only one will walk away… Keys: Chips Salsa Burrito Greenwood Avenue 85th Avenue Northwest North Seattle Fremont Phinney Ridge Ballard Caliente Hot Sauce Tomato Guacamole Sour Cream Cheddar Chesse Comedy Raw Sobriety Musicians Guitara Musica Senorita Hombre Christopher A. MillerComedy Tagged with: battle, mexico, live, salsa, gordito’s, healthy, mexican, food, cuisine, nacho, nachos, greenwood, Seattle, North, comedy, 85th, street, hot, sauce, cheese, funny, fremont, phinne... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709425 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:20:06 +0100 4709425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696956&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Faddiction-and-recovery-developing-new-traditions-for-a-sober-july-4th%2F The fourth of July is typically a drinking holiday for alcoholics/addicts and their families. When one person in a family of alcoholics gets sober, they often struggle to deal with the ongoing drinking traditions within that family. It can be quite a challenge to deal with the feelings of loyalty to the family and the hurt that the newly recovering person may experience when family members do not make accommodation for their sobriety needs. On one hand the newly sober person may not want to impose on the family by asking that they not drink or not have alcohol available. On the other hand, they may hope that family members would be considerate enough to host family get togethers without alcohol to help safeguard his or her sobriety. The recovering person, like anyone else, wants to be acce... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696956 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 12:00:16 +0100 4696956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696957&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fas-a-drunk-sees-it-part-11%2F It now has been a few years without a drink or drug but the work is still not complete. To recap the progress made to date; a problem was recognized, a conscious effort was made to seek help, and one day at a time there has been no drinking or drugging. A program was developed in therapy and/or borrowed from AA or some other treatment program to change the old habits into a new lifestyle that does not include drinking or drugging. The program also teaches responsibility and accountability and the alcoholic/addict returns to being a productive member of the family and the community. Grandiosity has been replaced by humility and the drunk understands that a power greater than himself was responsible for the drunk finding recovery. Those who chose the twelve step program of AA have successful... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696957 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:00:18 +0100 4696957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670337&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-women-who-love-too-much-when-you-keep-wishing-and-hoping-hell-change%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $16.00 $5.68 The relationship classic hailed by Erica Jong as “life- changing” — now updated with a new introduction and resource section! The #1 New York Times bestseller that asks ARE YOU A WOMAN WHO LOVES TOO MUCH? Do you find yourself attracted again and again to troubled, distant, moody men — while “nice guys” seem boring? Do you obsess over men who are emotionally unavailable, addicted to work, hobbies, alcohol, or other women? Do you neglect your friends and your own interests to be immediately available to him? Do you feel empty without him, even though being with him is torment? Robin Norwood’s groundbreaking work will enable you to recognize the roots of your destructive patterns of relating a... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670337 Sun, 03 Apr 2011 11:40:18 +0100 4670337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664481&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fcosts-of-alcohol-detox%2F When an alcoholic cannot stop drinking and needs to have a clinical alcohol Detox and perhaps further rehab at a treatment centre, can a price be put on their recovery? In order to get the correct care, the patient needs to be admitted to an alcohol detox centre where there is a guarantee that they will receive the best medical and comprehensive care package available. This package needs to be bespoke, tailor made to suit the alcoholic individual, as each person is different no one-size fits all will work best. Whether admission to a clinic is done voluntarily or through intervention, this may mean a private detox clinic that costs more than a state-funded alcohol rehab centre. Although the costs of alcohol detoxification may be more expensive at a private rehab clinic than at its state fu... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664481 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:40:07 +0100 4664481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643000&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fdont-i-deserve-to-be-mad-at-my-husband-over-this%2F Elle Z asks the question: Myself and my brother are both recovering alcoholics. He recently “fell off the wagon” and he called me for support. I told him that every day is hard for me and I know he’s going thru the same and he just needs to take it one day at a time. He is going back to rehab on Monday. I’d like him to come visit after he’s been discharged. My husband said “I just don’t think it’s a good idea. Who knows what drama he’ll bring with him” As far as I’m concerned he might as well have said it about me. I’m going thru the same thing as my brother and for him to want to turn his back on him makes me feel like if I weren’t his wife he’d turn his back on me too. And just to clarify……it&... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643000 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 11:40:10 +0100 4643000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643001&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fnlp-anchoring-live-nigel-hetherington%2F Laughter, like applause can be one the most honest states. Laughter is priceless and is one of the most transformative and powerful resources you can have. Laught your Socks Off! Recorded at Nigel Hetherington NLP Practitioner Training in Newcastle upon Tyne. 123 of NLP Anchoring Full video of approximately one hour covering the essential 123 of anchoring. 1.) Setting Frames, 2.) Eliciting / Installing and 3.) Testing. Click the link here to buy NLP LIVE – Anchoring at £12.30. Recorded LIVE at NLP Practitioner Training with Communicating Excellence. www.paypal.com It is honestly worth this just for the laughter! www.paypal.comEducation Tagged with: NLP Anchor, NLP Anchoring, NLP Practitioner Newcastle, NLP Metaphor, Hypnosis Metaphor, Metaphor, Milton Model, NLP Practitioner, NLP ... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643001 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 11:40:07 +0100 4643001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4627024&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-twenty-four-hours-a-day%2F Best Price $11.99 With over nine million copies in print (the original text has been revised), this ”little black book” offers daily thoughts, meditations, and prayers for living a clean and sober life. A spiritual resource with practical applications to fit our daily lives.”For yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision” is part of the Sanskrit proverb quoted at the beginning of the book which has become one of the basic building blocks for a life of sobriety. In addition to a thought, meditation and prayer for each day of the year, this handy, pocket-sized volume also contains the Serenity Prayer and the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is a simple, yet effective way to help us relate the Twelve Steps to everyday life and helps u... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4627024 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:40:08 +0100 4627024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622508&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fis-aa-degenerating-to-the-point-of-uselessness%2F titou asks the question: Again. I know. But more comments would be appreciated, especially encouraging ones. I have been “in recovery” in AA for 20 years, and sober for the last 12. During this time, I have experienced what seems to be a generalized change in the conduct of AA meetings and its members. With few exceptions, gone is the welcoming spirit I found in the beginning, replaced with a self-satisfied complacency. “Step Series” meetings predominate here in Miami where I live, with some especially worthy speaker “sharing his experience, strength, and hope” for 12 consecutive weeks — chosen of course by a committee of worthies. Never mind the pamphlet ‘A Member’s Eye View” which says, “The newcomer is greatly relieved th... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622508 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:40:11 +0100 4622508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4552148&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fdoes-anyone-else-see-a-common-personality-profile-in-aa%2F abnjim5 asks the question: I have been researching self-help groups and find a common psychological profile with Alcoholic Anonymous members. Among the many characteristics that I have discovered is a strong desire to seek assistance outside their bodies (brain) with their addiction to alcohol. Most will speak of a god or a spirit that is responsible for their “recovery” form drugs like alcohol. The use of self-will or using positive cognitive energy is discouraged. This finding of entities outside the body contradicts personal problem solving as I know it because to unlearn a behaviour (they say disease) one must go to the source of addictions which is in the body. I am puzzled, can anyone help me understand this AA process? Answer:Absolutely! Alcoholism is only a symptom of ... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4552148 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 12:40:08 +0100 4552148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532576&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Feating-dissorder-recovery-or-relapse%2F Luna asks the question: I’ve had an eating disorder for about 4 years. Well I say I was born with it to be honest. 2007 is when it all came out, I lost allot of weight and weighed just 5 stone 10 and mum forced me to get better – I didn’t get better I got fat and was still depressed. since the “recovery” I have been bulimic. I know I have. but now , now I am tiered of it. I still go to see a councilor every two weeks but my life is so mucked up that I don’t tell them i make myself sick. My mother is an alcoholic so I don’t live at home and right now she is making my life unbearable. She hates me, she’s told me on several occasions. So, right now I am relapsing in my anorexia, exercising every moment of each day. my boyfriend is making it ha... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532576 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:40:08 +0100 4532576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4525053&cid=t_119099_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F26%2F10-forms-of-twisted-thinking%2F Both David Burns (bestselling author of Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy and Abraham Low (founder of Recovery, Inc.) teach techniques to analyze negative thoughts (or identify distorted thinking — what psychologists call “cognitive distortions”) so to be able to disarm and defeat them. Since Low’s language is a bit out-dated, I list below Burns’ “Ten Forms of Twisted Thinking,” (adapted from his “Feeling Good” book, a classic read) categories of dangerous ruminations, that when identified and brought into your consciousness, lose their power over you. 1. All-or-nothing thinking (a.k.a. my brain and the Vatican’s): You look at things in absolute, black-and-white categories. 2. Overgeneralization (also a favorite): You view a nega... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4525053 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:17:59 +0100 4525053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517355&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Faddiction-is-genetic-recovery-rates-are-so-slim-addiction-causes-most-of-the-worlds-problems-why-dont-we%2F Having a Bad Day. asks the question: Addiction is genetic. Addiction leads to homelessness, spouse abuse, child abuse, neglect, child abandonment, and destroys a child’s fragile little mind, leading them to destroy their own offspring, repeating the generational transmission of trauma over and over again. Recovery numbers are so very small… The damage that these addicts do to their children, their family, their friends, their community, their SPECIES that their “Recovery”, if it is successful, doesn’t come NEAR to making up for the horrible things they have done. Why on earth do we refuse to talk in realistic terms about addiction and the damage it does to the world? WHY do we continue to swallow the nonsensical platitudes about “You have to WANT to ge... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517355 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:40:09 +0100 4517355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4507285&cid=t_119099_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnutrition-labels-for-alcoholic-beverages%2F2011.02.21 Virtually all bottled beverages you can buy have handy-dandy nutrition labels from which you can access information about calories, carbs, and so forth. All beverages except the ones containing alcohol, that is. Why is that? Maybe it’s because alcoholic beverages contain little to no protein, sodium, cholesterol, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium and iron (remember that alcohol is metabolized as a fat, not a carbohydrate) — so why bother? Then again, alcohol does contain calories — a lot of them. Would people drink less if they knew how many calories they were consuming? Would they drink less if they knew how many “servings” of alcohol were contained in the bottle they just purchased? Maybe it’s because of the cost of performing nutritional analyses on each vintage of wine,... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4507285 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:00:49 +0100 4507285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495437&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Ffather-is-alcoholic-and-homeless%2F Dan Moore asks the question: Hello, My dad is/was an alcoholic for many years. He cheated on mom mother and divorce took place. He moved to MN with the lady he cheated with and there he stopped working since she had a good job and it was tough to find a job in the small town they lived in. So he sat at home all day and watched TV and drank while she worked. A few years later she died of some weird throat bleeding (guess it is not all that uncommon). He was left unemployed and shattered. Since then he has been in a couple different recovery places that give you a place to stay, you have to be in by a certain time, no drinking etc etc. He got kicked out of the last recovery “clinic” he was staying at because he was caught with a pipe that he says was his friends pipe…whatev... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495437 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:40:08 +0100 4495437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489983&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FKdv704Rtv8c%2F MusiCares for MusicianMission MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.In their own wordsIn recognition of September being National Recovery Month, MusiCares has launched new online resources to continue our commitment to educate the music community about substance abuse issues. Please take a moment to explore the new offerings. While MusiCares works in confidentiality with clients, the artists and manag... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489983 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:15:30 +0100 4489983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489986&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FZa0qJUk3-VE%2F Stop Enabling the AlcoholicDiscontinuing “enabling,” along with putting the onus for the drinker’s behavior and its consequences on the drinker.Do not cover up for them. Let them be responsible for their actions.Accept your responsibility, if any, for enabling, and then transfer 100 percent of the responsibility back to the alcoholic once you have talked it over.He or she is then unable to use you as an excuse.Enabling includes protecting the problem drinker from the negative consequences of alcohol use. After all, if someone makes excuses when you miss appointments because of drinking too much, reheats dinner because you’ve missed it after stopping at the bar on the way home from work, readily has sex with you even if you’re drunk, or lends you money every time you lose your job... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489986 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:17:00 +0100 4489986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4470531&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-the-spirituality-of-imperfection-storytelling-and-the-search-for-meaning%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $18.00 $5.73 I Am Not Perfect is a simple statement of profound truth, the first step toward understanding the human condition, for to deny your essential imperfection is to deny yourself and your own humanity. The spirituality of imperfection, steeped in the rich traditions of the Hebrew prophets and Greek thinkers, Buddhist sages and Christian disciples, is a message as timeless as it is timely. This insightful work draws on the wisdom stories of the ages to provide an extraordinary wellspring of hope and inspiration to anyone thirsting for spiritual growth and guidance in these troubled times.Who are we? Why so we so often fall short of our goals for ourselves and others? By seeking to understand our limitations and accept the inevitably of failure... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4470531 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:00:10 +0100 4470531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450525&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fthe-high-functioning-alcoholic%2F Understanding the High Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal InsightsWho is the typical alcoholic among the 12.5 million living in the United States now? Many, if not most of us when asked that question, would envision a skid row bum or someone at least out of work or with little education locked into a low-skill, low-paying job. But that is not accurate, according to the results of a national study released in June, 2007 by the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The NIAAA determined that alcoholics in the United States really fall into five subtypes, including nearly 20 percent who are "highly functional alcoholics, well-educated with good incomes." They include corporate presidents, powerful politicians, police, lawyers, doctors, scientists, an... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450525 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:48:51 +0100 4450525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4439026&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Frecognizing-co-dependency%2F Alcoholism may be a disease of isolation, but it is rarely an individual problem. Understanding how "enabling" works is the first step in helping both the alcoholic and the co-dependent seek help.Enabling is any action by another person or an institution that intentionally or unintentionally has the effect of facilitating the continuation of an individual’s addictive process.Who Is An Enabler? Most often, enablers are persons who genuinely care about the alcoholic — family, friends, co-workers, clergy.Their love and concern, unfortunately, often leads them to do things that actually help the alcoholic stay that way.They "cover" for the alcoholic, inventing excuses for absenteeism, tardiness, or inappropriate behavior.They "save" the alcoholic by taking... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4439026 Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:12:00 +0100 4439026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429229&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fhow-well-do-alcohol-recovery-programs-actually-work%2F almintaka asks the question: Hi Everyone, Alcoholics Anonymous (“AA”, spiritual), Rational Recovery (“RR”, cognitive), SMART (cognitive), Save Ourselves (“SOS”, cognitive) and other alcohol recovery programs all claim varying levels of success in helping alcoholics on the road to recovery. However, there is a lot of controversy surrounding their claims, as even a quick search on the internet will reveal. Viewing this chaos of opinions from “outside the box”, it certainly seems as though they’re all blowing smoke. Anecdotal arguments are used, tabloid-style quotations are touted as being authentic, and “my way or the highway” rationalizing is often used. One thing they all have in common is that apparently none of them has a ... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429229 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:00:11 +0100 4429229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414680&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fdo-i-have-to-be-an-alcoholic-for-my-whole-life-even-if-i-dont-drink%2F Leah K asks the question: Two years ago I received an MIP. As a result, I had to attend AA meetings and do an alcohol education program. At AA, they told me I had the disease of alcoholism. They said that I will never not be addicted to alcohol and could only be “in recovery”–I would never be cured. They also said I needed to go to AA for life. Even if I didn’t drink alcohol, without meetings, I would only be a “dry drunk.” They said I would pass the gene onto my children. So I decided to NOT DRINK ANYMORE. Since my MIP, I have not had a drink. I have no desire to drink. I drank during my first semester at college because I thought drinking was cool. Now, I don’t allow people to pressure me into drinking. AAers keep calling me and asking me what my... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414680 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:30:11 +0100 4414680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386472&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fstress-a-danger-in-early-recovery%2F Alcoholics should avoid excessive physical and emotional stress during early abstinence.Researchers have found that an important system (The HPA axis) of the body that regulates stress, hunger and illness is “stunned” during alcoholic drinking.The researchers tested alcoholics in early recovery (less than 12 months) and found that the HPA axis recovers after about 8 weeks.Any stress can trigger an abnormal response but moderate to extreme stress can be dangerous to abstinence and may trigger a relapse.Reference; May 2007 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.Recovery Bloggers comments; The most dangerous time for recovery from alcoholism is the first 3 months. Many do not stay sober in the first 3 months.Some alcoholics have been known to exercise to extreme attempt... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386472 Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:49:00 +0100 4386472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382953&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2F7-cs-for-alcoholic-detachment%2F Image via WikipediaChildren, Adult Children and partners of alcoholics often develop seven ways or attitudes to deal with the drinker. These are;Guilt and shame implied by the alcoholic about causing them to drink excessivelyIf I caused alcoholism, I must be able to find a remedyIf I can’t cure it I can control the behaviour and drinkingAvoiding self-care in deference to the alcoholics needsFearfully not expressing own needs and feelingsMaking poorly considered decisions – unhealthy, irrationalBelittling self, abilities, accomplishments and potentialIn recovery children of alcoholics and co-dependents learn to reverse these attitudes. Quite simply these principles are life attitudes.The Seven C’s of Another Persons Alcoholism – DetachmentI didn’t Cause itI can’t Cur... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382953 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:40:00 +0100 4382953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372251&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fabusive-relationships%2F Image via WikipediaAn alcoholic or addictive relationship may be marred by abuse. This symptom list may raise ones awareness of the problem.There are many signs of an abusive relationship. The primary sign is fear of your partner. Other signs include a partner who belittles you or tries to control you, and feelings of self-loathing, numbness, helplessness, and desperation.To determine whether or not you’re in an abusive relationship, answer the questions in the table below. The more questions to which you answer “yes,” the more likely your relationship is abusive.Signs of an Abusive RelationshipYour Inner Feelings and ThoughtsDo you :fear your partner a large percentage of the time?avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?feel that you can’t do anything right for y... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372251 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:01:00 +0100 4372251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302288&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FtI6xyf80gfQ%2F Recovery Is Sexy has had a record year in visitors and page views. Here are the 15 most popular posts in 2010.10 Reasons for Low Libido12-Step Speaker Tape Links5 Ways to Please Your Man In BedAddictive RelationshipsAddictive Thinking, Stinking ThinkingAlcohol & SexualityAlcoholic Family RolesSensual MassageSex for Men Over 50Sexuality in SobrietyStinking ThinkingThirteenth SteppingTwelve Step SponsorshipWomen’s Sexual ArousalWomen’s Sexual Fantasies- Share, print or e-mail this articleThirteenth SteppingStinking ThinkingAddictive Thinking, Stinking ThinkingDistorted, Stinking Thinking (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302288 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:45:00 +0100 4302288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302289&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2F6UXBnW6HjLU%2F Take care of yourself“Live a full life of your own.”“Make sure you live a life of your own that does not depend on the undependable person.”“Carry on with your life after you’ve let the alcoholic know you aren’t babysitting anymore.”“Let them go, and focus on your own health and peace of mind.”These comments from masters underline the importance of taking care of yourself despite the problems with the drinker.Often, however, in an attempt to hide a family member’s alcohol abuse from others, spouses withdraw and isolate themselves from friends and other family members.Taking care of yourself might mean signing up for a class in the evenings, getting together with buddies from the past, or going away by yourself for a weekend.See also;AA and ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302289 Sun, 26 Dec 2010 15:28:01 +0100 4302289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4277833&cid=t_119099_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Falcohol-and-cancer-a-beverage-guide-for-the-holidays%2F2010.12.21 Guest post submitted by MD Anderson Cancer Center* When you raise your glass at this year’s holiday toast, choose your beverage wisely. Research shows that drinking even a small amount of alcohol increases your chances of developing cancer, including oral cancer, breast cancer and liver cancer. Yet, other research shows that drinking small amounts of alcohol may protect the body against coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Some evidence even suggests that red wine may help prevent cancer. Researchers are still trying to learn more about how alcohol links to cancer. But, convincing evidence does support the fact that heavy drinking damages cells and contributes to cancer development. Confused? Use our beverage guide to choose a drink with the lowest health risk, and learn your reco... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4277833 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:00:35 +0100 4277833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266275&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fdetoxification-from-alcohol-at-home%2F If you want to alcohol-Detox at home, here are some useful tips in order to evade any kind of hazardous situations. If you follow some useful tips, you may get positive results while having home alcohol detox. You have to improve your mentality by ensuring your surroundings are safer for you. You may avoid all kinds of deterioration or relapses to ensure positive results. What should be the steps taken by you if you decide that home alcohol detox is suitable for you. Firstly, you should have to evaluate your all alcoholic health issues by consulting your doctor who may advise you better how you should proceed for home alcohol-detox. Secondly, you should consult your doctor to seek his permission for initiating this process of detoxification at home after complete medical examination of you... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266275 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:00:21 +0100 4266275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4251267&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Floneliness-can-lead-to-self-destruction-or-discovery%2F It is your choice and you decide. It can mean terror, triumph, or by default, more of the same pain. A terror attack was narrowly averted on an American airliner with 300 passengers and crew on board on Christmas Day 2009. A troubled and vulnerable young terrorist now awaits his fate. Loneliness and a longing for significance set the stage for his destructive crash course. The perpetrator was a well educated 23 year old Nigerian man named Umar who came from one of the wealthiest families in Nigeria. He revealed that he was lonely and depressed. Umar tried to find companionship on the internet, noting that he was lonely and had never found a real friend. In his own words Umar wrote, “I have no one to consult, no one to support me and I feel depressed and lonely. I do not know what to ... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4251267 Sat, 11 Dec 2010 16:00:24 +0100 4251267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241954&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Ffinding-the-right-treatment-option%2F An alcoholism treatment center is there when you need it, or when it is needed by your loved one. If you, or your loved one has made the decision to come to grips with the abuse of alcohol in your life, rehab may be an option. You may now know from your experience that this is something you do not want to take lightly. You or your loved one have finally reached the point where you no longer want this problem in you life. That is a decision for the good. Alcoholism is a terrible thing to live with. Dealing with alcoholism has long been recognized as an extremely difficult process, and professional help is usually required, as few make this journey on their own. That is where a rehab center comes to your aid. Of course centers vary as to the type of treatments offered, and you will want to c... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241954 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:00:24 +0100 4241954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225664&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fhow-to-withdraw-from-alcohol%2F If you have a drinking problem and you are addicted to alcohol it is most likely that you are trying to find a way to stop. People around you might also be saying some things like ‘just stop drinking’. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as just stop in this case, mostly due to withdrawal symptoms. This is what you should know on how to withdraw from alcohol slowly and safely. First of all, keep in mind that when you start coming off alcohol you will get your first and severe symptoms of withdrawal; these might include sweating, shakes, headache, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, anxiety, depression and many more. Symptoms and effects range from mild to pretty serious ones – some people suffer from psychosis or other similar problems. If you decide to stop drinking at o... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225664 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:00:19 +0100 4225664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214493&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-the-easy-way-to-stop-drinking%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $14.95 $7.48 Carr offers a startling new view of why we drink and how we can escape the addiction. Step by step, with devastating clarity and simplicity, he applies the Easyway method, dispelling all the illusions that surround the subject of drinking and that can make it almost impossible to imagine a life without alcohol. Only when we step away from all these supposed pleasures and understand how we are being duped to believe we are receiving real benefits can we begin to live our lives free from any desire or need for drinking. The Easyway method centers on removing the psychological need to drinkwhile the drinker is still drinking. Following the Easyway: You will not need willpower You will not feel deprived You will lose your fear of withdrawal p... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214493 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:00:11 +0100 4214493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214494&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fhow-i-beat-alcoholism%2F Dysthymia & Social Anxiety-The Straws that Stirred my Drink Some alcoholics when diagnosed with alcoholism put the drink down and never go back to it. If alcohol is causing problems in their lives, they know they’re better off without it. There’s no underlying force driving them to drink again. With others like me, alcohol serves such a profound purpose that we stubbornly hang on to it even when it’s destroying our lives. It was four very long, unnecessary years after being diagnosed with this insidious disease before I could convince myself to walk away it. Why can’t some alcoholics let go of something that is killing them and creating terrible suffering for everybody close to them? Today I have an answer and I believe my experience can help solve one of the en... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214494 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:00:10 +0100 4214494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197368&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fstaying-sober-can-drive-you-to-drink-anxiety-of-staying-sober-is-a-killer%2F Google the word Alcoholism and you will get 25,400,000 search results. Addiction of Alcohol and Symptoms of Anxiety Depression can reduce the toughest person to a babbling wreck. Anxiety of Alcoholic relapse is a real factor in your quest to remain sober. Stop anybody in the street and ask them what they associate with the word Alcoholism and the answers will more than likely include the replies, hitting rock bottom,detox, down and out, addiction, messed up life, homelessness, crime blah blah blah. Pay a little more attention and do your research and you can find out that when you drive at night one out of seven drivers on the road are legally drunk. The Medical Research Council states that alcohol abuse costs the South African economy around R9 billion a year and half of all murders are t... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197368 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:00:13 +0100 4197368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183544&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-drop-the-rock-removing-character-defects-steps-six-and-seven-second-edition%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $13.95 $7.49 Resentment. Fear. Self-Pity. Intolerance. Anger. This cast of character defects will undermine the best-laid plans for recovery from addiction. It’s not uncommon for individuals in recovery to hang on to negative, self-defeating behaviors after they’ve given up their addiction. These are the “rocks” that can sink recovery – or, at the least, block further progress. With more than 100,000 copies sold, Drop the Rock is the definitive guide to removing character defects that can prevent gratifying, long-standing recovery. Based on the Twelve Step program, particularly the principles behind Steps Six and Seven, Drop the Rock combines personal stories, practical advice, and powerful insights to help readers move f... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183544 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:00:15 +0100 4183544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175978&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-codependents-guide-to-the-twelve-steps%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $15.00 $1.25 First the Hurt, Now the Healing… Millions identified with Melody Beattie in Codependent No More and gained inspiration from her in Beyond Codependency. Now she’s back to help you discover how recovery programs work and to help you find the right one for you. Interpreting the famous Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Steps specifically for codependent issues for the very first time, this groundbreaking book combines Melody’s expertise with the experience of other people to: Explain each step and how you can apply it to your particular issues Offer specific exercises and activities to use both in group settings and on your own Provide a directory of the wide range of Twelve Step programs — including Al-Anon, Codependent... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175978 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:00:09 +0100 4175978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175696&cid=t_119099_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Falcoholic-energy-drinks-health-hazards-and-bannings%2F2010.11.17 In this video, you will see an interview I was asked to do on November 11th on local TV about alcoholic energy drinks like Four Loko that has been in the news recently. I talk about the potential harmful effects of the ingredients of a product like this. As of this posting there have been a number of states, colleges, and universities who have taken steps to ban these type of beverages.   At the end of the interview, I talk about how I don’t think banning a product like this is going to solve the problem. In the article “Banning Four Loko Doesn’t Solve Problems,” Alex Belz from The North Wind explains: It seems these health officials are either unaware of or choosing to ignore the fact that combining a caffeinated beverage with an alcoholic one is a time-tested... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175696 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0100 4175696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168214&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fdiscover-alcoholism-in-marriage-and-learn-to-live-with-an-alcoholic-you-love%2F Alcoholism in marriage is a great recipe for disaster. There are only a very few things that can tear a marriage apart like alcoholism. And if your spouse has developed a drinking habit only after you got married then the problem can have significant implications in your married life. The effect alcoholism in marriage can’t be hidden. If you partner drinks excessively during social events when they are not supposed to or they begin to lie about how much they drink, then you should realize that your spouse has become an alcoholic and it’s time for drastic measures. It’s imperative that you accept your situation and work towards getting proper help for your partner and yourself. The simple truth is that unless your spouse admits they have a problem, you’ll not be able... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168214 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:00:09 +0100 4168214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4143019&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fmarried-to-an-alcoholic-recovery-is-in-sight%2F So you are married to an alcoholic? Well it is easy to see he/she is drinking alone, also losses of jobs, has violent behavior or is super friendly when drinking or violent. Also if this person needs alcohol to function there is a problem. When an alcoholic drinks they change like the difference between the sun and the moon. If you are sick of it and can not take it anymore do not do it. I am a a recovering alcoholic and what happens is is family and friends try to hide the problem. And this hurts the one with the problem. But this is not a way to help him/her. they will act like everything is normal even letting them drink with them. If you try to change this person it will not work the person with the problem needs to seek help on their own. If you put up with the verbal abuse you are as... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4143019 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:00:10 +0100 4143019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4134264&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-alcoholics-anonymous-the-story-of-how-many-thousands-of-men-and-women-have-recovered-from-alcoholism%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $17.95 $0.29 It’s more than a book. It’s a way of life. Alcoholics Anonymous-the Big Book-has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. First published in 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976, and now the fourth edition in 2001, the essential recovery text has remained unchanged while personal stories have been added to reflect the growing and diverse fellowship. The long-awaited fourth edition features 24 new personal stories of recovery. Key features and benefits the most widely used resource for millions of individuals in recovery contains ... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4134264 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:00:08 +0100 4134264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4125286&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Falcohol-withdrawal-treatment-2%2F Alcohol withdrawal treatment is a very important step in an alcoholic’s recovery. It consists of weaning the alcoholic from his or her addictive substance, in this case alcohol. Sometimes people will want to go through this phase alone, but that is never recommended. Alcohol withdrawal treatment is available as either inpatient or outpatient, but should never be attempted without some sort of medical oversight. Alcohol withdrawal can have severe side effects, and these cannot be predicted. The last thing you want is to be home alone and go into convulsions. Go through alcohol withdrawal treatment under medical supervision! If you choose to proceed through treatment as an outpatient, a support person or persons will be needed to monitor you and get medical help if your withdrawal symp... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4125286 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:00:12 +0100 4125286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122078&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-adult-children-of-alcoholics%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $12.95 $0.48 This book provides wisdom and information for all Adult Children of dysfunctional families. (Source: Addiction Recovery Blog) Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122078 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 15:00:09 +0100 4122078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119723&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-drinking-a-love-story-2%2F Best Price $16.00 Fifteen million Americans a year are plagued with alcoholism. Five million of them are women. Many of them, like Caroline Knapp, started in their early teens and began to use alcohol as “liquid armor,” a way to protect themselves against the difficult realities of life. In this extraordinarily candid and revealing memoir, Knapp offers important insights not only about alcoholism, but about life itself and how we learn to cope with it. The roots of alcoholism in the life of a brilliant daughter of an upper-class family are explored in this stylistic, literary memoir of drinking by a Massachusetts journalist. Caroline Knapp describes how the distorted world of her well-to-do parents pushed her toward anexoria and then alcoholism. Fittingly, it was literature tha... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119723 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:00:10 +0100 4119723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119731&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fcoping-with-alcoholism-addiction-in-the-family-ii%2F Image via Wikipedia In relations with alcoholics try to avoid doing the following: 1. Don’t make threats you don’t intend to carry out. This will succeed only in reducing your credibility and in weakening the limits that you do intend to enforce. 2. Never argue with an intoxicated person. Nothing can be gained from fighting with an intoxicated person and you may be placing yourself in a dangerous position. If you wish to make some points with the alcoholic / addict in your family, wait until they are sober. Remember that alcoholics and addicts like to provoke a fight because it distracts everybody from their drinking and drugging. 3. Avoid shame, ridicule, or scolding as a means for influencing the alcoholic member of the family. Remember that they often drink out of self-hatr... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119731 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 16:08:00 +0100 4119731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098467&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fwhat-you-should-do-to-stop-drinking-alcohol%2F In the US, there are about 100,000 deaths caused by alcohol dependence and addiction annually. With this sad reality, it is about time that alcoholics realize what they are getting into. It is better to stop drinking alcohol early on before you fully succumb into the addiction. There are a number of alcohol rehab centers and detox treatment facilities providing a variety of rehab services that will help you overcome your drinking problems. Remember that there are plenty of ways to stop alcohol abuse, but the desire to quit drinking should start from you. Recognition of the problem is an integral part of the alcoholic’s recovery. Success won’t be achieved not unless the alcohol problem has been acknowledged by the addict. Once the alcoholic is ready to receive treatment, it will... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098467 Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:00:17 +0100 4098467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086525&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2Fz1oRVEIjTvQ%2F Image via Wikipedia Moving from anger to forgiveness is a healing experience Adults who grew up with alcoholic parents probably have plenty to be mad about. As children, they were virtually powerless to stop the forms of abuse and neglect they often suffered. They couldn’t express their anger or outrage in a healthy manner. Instead, many either acted out their anger by getting into trouble or reacted inwardly by converting anger into shame, depression or low self-esteem. It can take years of hard work to discover how deep the wounds really go. If anger isn’t eventually dealt with responsibly, it can be a major block to personal growth. Unresolved anger is often a factor in addictive and compulsive behaviors and relapse. Holding on to old anger can cause people to avoid conf... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086525 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 13:25:21 +0100 4086525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074450&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fhow-do-i-detox-from-alcohol%2F The process of detoxifying from alcohol takes from three to seven days. The length of time to complete the detox process varies from one person to another depending on type of alcoholic beverage typically consumed, length of time as an alcoholic, size of the person, and the tolerance level for alcohol. Detox should only be undertaken with medical supervision, preferably a doctor’s. One of the safest methods for detoxifying the body is at an in-patient treatment center. Medical personnel who are trained and experienced in alcohol and drug withdrawal are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They can monitor vital signs, administer medications and ensure that adequate food and fluid intake is maintained. In many cases the alcoholic isn’t 100% committed to this new... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074450 Sat, 16 Oct 2010 15:00:18 +0100 4074450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4061079&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Freview-the-book-that-started-it-all-the-original-working-manuscript-of-alcoholics-anonymous%2F The Lowest Price we could find is $65.00 $163.40 Born from one of the most significant collaborative writing projects of all time, this extraordinary, never-before-published copy of the original working manuscript of the Big Book offers fresh insights into the history and foundation of the revolutionary Alcoholics Anonymous program. Reproduced in this elegant gift edition with an introduction and notes by a panel of celebrated AA historians, the original working manuscript is the missing link in our understanding of what transpired between AA founder Bill Wilson’s first draft of Alcoholics Anonymous and the first published edition. In January 1939, Wilson and other AA founders distributed 400 copies of his typescript to everyone they could think of ‘who might be concerned ... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4061079 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:00:09 +0100 4061079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053485&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fhow-to-quit-alcohol-2%2F I used to wonder if I could ever quit alcohol, sometimes I just couldn’t afford to drink and the thought of going without for a few days would instill me with panic. I would drink the cheapest, strongest and nastiest alcohol, so that gives you an idea about how desperate and financially dire my situation was! I was addicted for nearly thirty years, started the day with a drink and alcohol was never out of my system. If you’re serious about quitting, you could do it today, right after reading this article you really could make the decision to stop and never drink again. Stopping drinking is easy, the hard part is getting motivated to do it. How do you get to be motivated? It took me a long time to find the answer to that question. The problem is when you are an alcoholic you put... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053485 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 15:00:08 +0100 4053485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031506&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fa-look-at-alcohol-and-depression%2F Which came first the chicken or the egg? What about alcoholism and depression? Many drink because they’re depressed while others are depressed because they drink. As a recovering alcoholic, I believe they are some definite connections between the two, but believe that the drinking came first. Let me explain. I started drinking in my early teens. When I became an alcoholic, I’m not sure, but alcohol remained fun for me for many years, well into my late twenties. Some say that an alcoholic stops growing emotionally at the time they began drinking alcoholically. The point is that for so many years I used alcohol to dampen my emotional feelings. When I was happy or sad I drank, it didn’t matter what I was feeling, alcohol was always part of my life. Although I didn’t re... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031506 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:00:14 +0100 4031506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4025652&cid=t_119099_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F02%2Fgetting-sober-hope-in-the-rooms-and-online%2F Recovering alcoholics say there is magic to be found in the rooms of their support groups. I have experienced and benefited from that, but, like others can’t name the exact ingredient of the meetings that has healing faculties. Tara Handron, a playwright and actress, does as good of a job as anyone I’ve known, at uncovering why and how recovering alcoholics are able to stay sober when they spill their guts between four walls. The other night I attended her one-person performance, a 60-minute play, that discards clichéd portrayals of recovery and relies on complex characters and richly layered stories to expose the raw emotions so many alcoholic women experience. Tara’s back-to-back portrayals of over 20 female alcoholics of various ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4025652 Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:47:41 +0100 4025652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013552&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fhelp-for-christians-with-a-drug-addiction-problem%2F Why would you choose to go to an alcohol treatment center? After all, aren’t there other options? Yes, there are, but they are not as effective. Options outside of an alcohol treatment center include individual counseling, help from family and friends, and a 12 step program. These are all very helpful and are good methods to support the recovered alcoholic, but when sobriety is very new or has not been acquired yet, it is better for the alcoholic to have a more comprehensive approach to treatment. After all, when in the midst of alcoholism and feeling the need to do something about your drinking, life may feel very out of control. An alcohol treatment center is designed to take care of all aspects of an alcoholic’s recovery in a complete manner and help that person get things b... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013552 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:00:11 +0100 4013552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4001807&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Falcoholic-intervention-and-alcohol-abuse-help%2F Alcoholic intervention is a big step forward towards providing valuable alcohol abuse help for someone dealing with an addiction. An alcoholic intervention is a meeting which includes the alcoholic, family members, friends and possibly the addict’s colleagues or employer, along with a specialist who is able to provide professional alcohol abuse help. During this step in the recovery process the problem drinker is spoken to regarding his or her drinking behavior. The individual is made aware of the impact that his or her excessive, abusive and reckless drinking has on family members, friends, co-workers and others. The meeting is managed by the alcoholic intervention expert. A safe environment is provided for the family members, friends and colleagues to express concerns about the per... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4001807 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 15:00:11 +0100 4001807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987238&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Falcoholics-anonymous-online-meetings%2F A question often asked by those whose lives are affected by a drunken partner, family member, or friend, is why does there seem to be such a major difficulty getting boozers to moderate their drinking or sober up altogether? Well, first is there’s that all too common trait known as denial. Denial allows far too many drinkers and drug dependent people to think they don’t have a problem. Until a drunk actually admits to their addiction with alcohol, there will be slim chance of them taking positive steps towards seeking a solution to their malady. Pride is another obstacle. Even when an alcoholic does throw in the towel, reaching out for help from others often proves too difficult. This is when Alcoholics Anonymous Online Meetings can come in very useful. Alcoholics Anonymous Onl... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987238 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:48:33 +0100 3987238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3981019&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fwhat-everyone-ought-to-know-about-alcoholism-recovery-2%2F Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions in the present-day world. Once an alcoholic has identified him or herself as such, then it’s time that they reach out for help for their addiction. In many cases, the alcoholic’s family or friends have to take the first step in getting the addicted person into a recovery state. Sometimes an intervention is staged, where the alcoholic is given an ultimatum: go to rehab or get out of our lives. Other times, simply speaking concern to the alcoholic can snap them back to reality and make them realize that their addiction has progressed into a disease and is affecting others. Once an alcoholic is ready to seek help for his or her addiction, he or she must choose how to stop drinking. One of the more popular ways to rehabilitate an alco... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3981019 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:00:12 +0100 3981019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3969186&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Falcoholic-boyfriend-how-alcoholic-behavior-destroys-your-trust%2F As a psychiatrist that specializes in addiction, I have heard a lot of complaints over the years from different clients about their experiences dating an alcoholic boyfriend. The stories are like a country western song where the chorus is always the same. The recurring theme is a pattern of alcoholic behavior which includes being irresponsible and lying. Here is a recent case from my practice that illustrates the difficulties of having a boyfriend with an alcohol problem. T.R. is 24 years old and has been dating a recovering alcoholic for six months. They get along well and she has been very pleased that he treats her 4 year-old son in a loving and kind way. Her son has become very fond of him. Several weeks ago, T.R. was at a family dinner with her alcoholic boyfriend, her parents, and so... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3969186 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:07:08 +0100 3969186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3960076&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fthe-personality-traits-of-alcoholics%2F Symptoms and personality traits in alcoholic patients: a comparative study. The aim of this paper was to describe the psychopathological and personality profile associated with alcohol dependence and to compare it with those of non-addictive disorders and the normal population. The sample consisted of 158 alcohol-dependent participants attending a psychiatric outpatient clinic, 120 psychiatric patients with non-addictive disorders and 103 participants from the general population chosen to match the patient samples for age, gender and socioeconomic level. All participants were assessed with different instruments related to personality. Patients from the clinical groups presented more symptoms of anxiety and depression than the healthy participants and had more problems adjusting to... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3960076 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:50:34 +0100 3960076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3958062&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fshould-your-alcoholic-spouse-take-antidepressants%2F As a psychiatrist that specializes in addiction, most people I treat for an alcohol problem have underlying depression and anxiety. The key question is which came first the chicken or the egg? In other words, is your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife self-medicating their depression and anxiety with alcohol or is alcohol causing these symptoms? In most cases your alcoholic spouse started out “self-medicating”, but now is actually causing more depressive symptoms using alcohol. Here are 2 typical cases that illustrate the combination of alcoholism and depression: M.J. is 42 years old and has been drinking on and off for the last 25 years. Recently, he has had trouble sleeping, has lost his motivation for work, and does not feel a sense of joy for much of anything. For the last... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3958062 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:07:06 +0100 3958062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3958064&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Ffaces-voices-of-recovery%2F United States Mission Faces & Voices of Recovery is committed to organizing and mobilizing the millions of Americans in long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction, our families, friends, and allies to speak with one voice. Our organization is dedicated to changing public perceptions of recovery, promoting effective public policy in Washington and in all 50 states, and demonstrating that recovery is working for millions of Americans. It is our collective strength that will ensure our success, and it is our mission to bring the power and proof of recovery to everyone in America. Goals Faces & Voices of Recovery is a national organization of individuals and organizations joining together to supports local, state, regional and national recovery advocacy by increasing acce... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3958064 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:51:38 +0100 3958064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3935922&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Falcoholic-wife-tips-on-how-to-handle-her-first-alcohol-relapse%2F As a psychiatrist that treats a lot of addiction, I have worked with a number of families in which the husband is married to an alcoholic wife. K.J and his wife C.T. have been married for 4 years. They have a daughter that is 2 years old. Before their daughter was born, they went out to the clubs 5 nights a week. K.J. works at an electronics store and his wife stays home with their child. K.J. gave up the partying life style about 2 years ago as his work demands increased. Also, he said he felt a lot of responsibility for his wife and daughter and wanted to spend the evenings with his family. They both had a glass of wine or two with dinner. However, K.J. noticed his wife started to drink alcohol at lunch with friends which started spilling over into the afternoons. One day he announced to... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3935922 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:07:09 +0100 3935922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3943032&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Ftwelve-step-sponsorship%2F Passing it on is a key concept in the Twelve Step community and many of the traditions and knowledge of the Twelve Step recovery program have been passed down by word-of-mouth from one generation of sponsors to the next. Twelve Step Sponsorship effectively takes this knowledge and tradition and applies it to a working manual for sponsors, guiding them through their role in reaching out and helping new program members. Designed as a “how-to” program for sponsors, Twelve Step Sponsorship offers: reading assignments common questions that sponsors face procedural suggestions for leading a newcomer through the Twelve Steps general guidelines for becoming an effective sponsor Twelve Step Sponsorship offers sponsors the first complete handbook for working with a newcom... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3943032 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:31:25 +0100 3943032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3921081&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Falcoholic-spouse-what-happens-when-only-one-spouse-decides-to-quit-drinking-alcohol%2F It is very bad luck for a child to be born into an alcoholic family that has one alcoholic parent. However, it is truly the worst luck to have two alcoholic parents. As a psychiatrist that specializes in addiction, this is not an uncommon scenario. Not only are their children at twice the genetic risk of developing an alcohol problem, the chance of both alcoholic parents remaining clean and sober is not very high. Here is a case from my psychiatric practice: M.F. and S.V. met in college. At that time, every one around them was drinking and using drugs so that their drug and alcohol use did not stand out. However, they are both thirty years old now and have a son in 8th grade and a daughter in 4th grade. M.F. and his wife S.V. have continued drinking excessively with no significant periods ... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3921081 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:07:07 +0100 3921081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907787&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fdo-we-know-the-cause-of-alcoholism-alcohol-abuse%2F What Is The Cause of Alcoholism Alcohol Abuse Alcoholism affects hundreds of thousands of people all over the world and is the cause of many deaths. There are many differing views on Alcoholism Alcohol abuse however one thing is certain, as of yet we do not know what causes alcoholism alcohol abuse. I know from personal experience that Alcoholism can be treated but this can only happen if the Alcoholic admits and accepts they have a problem and wants to stop. I suffered from Alcoholism alcohol abuse for many years and eventually there came a point in my life when I simply could not do this to myself any longer, I had reached a point in my life where I knew something had to change, and alcoholism alcohol abuse was slowly but surely stripping me of everything. I am a recovering Alcoholic and... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907787 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:07:05 +0100 3907787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3903134&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Faggressive-sexual-behaviour-of-alcoholic-men-2%2F Women in psychiatric care have a pronounced record of marks on their bodies that were inflicted during sexual relations. Researchers studied 30 women with alcoholic partners and noted body marks, duration of marks and if the marks were inflicted during love-making. These were then compared to women from the clinic with non-drinking sexual partners. Their ages, gender, ethnicity and social class were similar. Their findings indicate that the spouses of alcoholic men are subjected to more aggressive and painful sexual experiences, more body marks in more regions that lasted an average of 7 days and more biting of body surfaces than wives of non-alcohol-dependent men. If you have these experiences please contact your doctor or counselor. Research; Hari D. Maharajh, MRCPsych, Akleema Ali. Aggr... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3903134 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:57:15 +0100 3903134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889304&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35804&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.addictionrecoveryblog.com%2Falcoholic-recovery%2Fdetox-from-alcohol-a-must-know-alcoholic-recovery-process%2F Detox from alcohol is the process of cleansing the body from alcoholic substances. A person has to undergo a detoxification process in order to truly quit alcohol addiction. Not everybody knows what detoxification is or what goes on in the process. Even some individuals suffering from alcoholism, don’t know where they can turn to for help. Detox and Rehab Centers Detox centers is a place where an alcoholic can seek help to detox from alcohol. In a detox center, the person is given medications or goes through programs to extinguish their desire for alcoholic drinks or substances. Detox from alcohol is a slow process, in is done with extreme care by professional to prevent an individual from suffering a severe withdrawal syndrome. After the detox, when the person is free from alcohol,... Addiction Recovery Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889304 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 08:07:08 +0100 3889304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3862196&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2F_FEZFKqrYdc%2F Are you living with an alcoholic? If you have an alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife, I can virtually guarantee that one of the major emotions you experience every day is anger. I know this because as a psychiatrist that treats addiction, the spouses of alcoholics are extremely angry and frustrated with the “roller coaster life” they live. What are the reasons you feel angry as h— with your alcoholic spouse? 1. Your alcoholic husband promises to quit and then breaks his promise. 2. Your alcoholic wife hides alcohol and drinks during the day when you are at work. She even drives the kids around when she has been drinking. 3. Your alcoholic spouse is choosing alcohol over you and your kids. 4. He/she lies about so many things you have lost all trust which has been the found... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3862196 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:20:19 +0100 3862196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845291&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FsEXgBDMjsok%2F Does your alcoholic spouse create opportunities to drink? If you are living with an alcoholic husband, you are well aware of the many excuses he has to drink alcohol. He isn’t fooling anybody, except himself. As a psychiatrist, I hear a lot of complaints from spouses of alcoholics like, “Every time I turn around, he’s drinking”. Many alcoholics hide their drinking, but there are so many “acceptable” reasons in our society for drinking alcohol, it is hardly necessary. Here are 9 typical examples of your alcoholic husband creating opportunities to drink even more (and may be why he is in this “pickle” in the first place): Business dinners (this is a very common excuse) Going to parties Holidays Watching sports (football) Traveling Unwind with... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845291 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:45:44 +0100 3845291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845292&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FUVi4xUmPzv4%2F Do you have an alcoholic spouse? If you are living with an alcoholic, you are aware of how much denial your alcoholic spouse is in about their disease. No matter how often you bring up their drinking problem, they continue on the same self destructive path. Their choices around drinking are completely irrational. This is called “addiction”. Denial is a major part of the illness. The alcohol dependent brain of your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife “drives” them to drink to combat alcohol cravings and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Often an alcoholic spouse will stop drinking alcohol when there is an “event” or epiphany that stops “them” in their tracks. Here are 4 examples of triggers that break through denial: An arrest for a DWI with a ... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845292 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:04:40 +0100 3845292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3833570&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Faa-public-relations-2%2F The 1956 General Service Conference of A.A. adopted unanimously the following statement of “A.A.’s Public Information Policy”: In all public relationships, A.A.’s sole objective is to help the still suffering alcoholic. Always mindful of the importance of personal anonymity, we believe this can be done by making known to him, and to those who may be interested in his problem, our own experience as individuals and as a fellowship in learning to live without alcohol. We believe that our experience should be made available freely to all who express sincere interest. We believe further that all our efforts in this field should always reflect our gratitude for the gift of sobriety and our awareness that many outside A.A. are equally concerned with the serious problem of alcoholism. T... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3833570 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:22:00 +0100 3833570 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816768&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2F9sWRDb3n4T0%2F Has your alcoholic spouse only been clean and sober for a few weeks or several months?  Are you wondering what you can expect early on in their sobriety? Your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife is going through major changes with their alcoholism recovery which can be difficult on the family. If you can adjust your expectations, you will not feel as frustrated than if you are expecting everything to improve. Here are 3 changes to expect the first few months of your alcoholic spouse becoming clean and sober: Your alcoholic husband or wife may be irritable and even depressed and anxious off alcohol. There is no alcohol to numb the uncomfortable feelings that drove them to drink in the first place. They are more focused on alcoholism recovery than on repairing the marriage. 12 step program... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816768 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:37:39 +0100 3816768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816769&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2F8JRe1A5kakc%2F Has your alcoholic spouse recently quit drinking alcohol? You have waited so so long for this…. You thought you would get your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife back, but your partner still seems out of your reach. Does it feel like your alcoholic spouse is now obsessed with their alcoholism recovery instead of alcohol? Does it feel like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has kidnapped your spouse because they are at AA meetings instead of with you? This is very common at the beginning of sobriety. Here are 4  reasons explaining what is going on with your recovering spouse since they quit drinking alcohol: Your alcoholic spouse has been spending their time drinking, thinking about drinking, in pursuit of drinking, and suffering the consequences of drinking. Alcoholism recovery (sobriety) ... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816769 Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:28:46 +0100 3816769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816770&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FtQPNrCsTczU%2F Are you married to an alcoholic spouse? Have you begged and pleaded with your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife to get help to stop drinking alcohol, but they have refused (over and over)? You are puzzled. It should be a no brainer for your alcoholic spouse to get help for their alcohol problem. Their reluctance to stop drinking alcohol is so strong, it seems absurd. Here are the 5 most common reasons I encounter in the alcoholics I treat why they resist treatment. Control. Alcoholic spouses want to control when they drink and when they don’t. They do not want anyone else whether it is a therapist or rehab center taking this option away. Denial. Your alcoholic husband is suffering from such incredible denial about his drinking that you cannot fathom the level at which he minimizes... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816770 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:19:21 +0100 3816770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808846&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fthe-23rd-psalm-for-recovery%2F Suitable for members of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-anon, Alateen, ACOA, Naranon, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and anybody in recovery through a 12-Step fellowship. The Lord is my sponsor, I shall not want. He makes me to go to many meetings. He leads me to sit back, relax, and listen with an open mind, He restores my soul, my sanity, and my health. He leads me in the path of sobriety, serenity, and fellowship for my own sake. He teaches me to think, to take it easy, to live and let live, and do first things first. He makes me more humble and grateful. He teaches me to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I can and gives me the wisdom to know the difference. Yea, though I walk through the valley of despair, frustration, guilt, and remorse, I will fear no evil. Fo... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808846 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:00:01 +0100 3808846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816771&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FR0UrB1216g4%2F As a psychiatrist that treats a lot of addiction, I am very familiar with traits that are common to people with a drinking problem. I see “procrastination” (putting things off) in every alcoholic I treat. If it were easy for your alcoholic husband to face his problems, he would not have started drinking in the first place. Turning to alcohol is one way to avoid facing life stresses. Your alcoholic spouse has probably promised to stop drinking alcohol many times, but has broken his promise over and over. What is the effect on you? You take it personally when your alcoholic husband resumes drinking 1-2 days after telling you he will stop drinking alcohol. You feel he should put quitting drinking as his first priority if he truly values you and your marriage. You are wondering if... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816771 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:10:01 +0100 3816771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816772&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FT__im5a7hoo%2F Are you married to an alcoholic husband? Are you at the point where you can hardly tolerate your marriage, but you don’t know what to do next? You are finally ready to set some firm boundaries with him. You have had enough of his drinking! You are so filled with anger, you could just scream. His alcohol problem has disrupted every part of your family life. If your next “moves” with him fail, you realize you need to do an alcoholic intervention or just give up on your marriage. Here are 5 examples of boundaries you can set. Start implementing several of these with your alcoholic husband right away. Steps to move forward include: Quit waiting on your alcoholic spouse to come home on time for dinner.You are setting yourself up for disappointment. If he doesn’t show up... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816772 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:06:35 +0100 3816772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816773&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FFA3phQ3bQlc%2F Has your alcoholic husband recently quit drinking alcohol or gotten discharged from an alcohol treatment center and already experienced an alcohol relapse? Unfortunately, alcohol relapse is part of the disease. Alcoholism intervention may be necessary again. Start by talking to him (only when he is sober) about the tips I have listed below to help him stay clean and sober. It is beyond frustrating for spouses of alcoholics to witness their alcoholic husband have an alcohol relapse within 24 hours of being discharged from an alcohol treatment center. The feeling must be worse than being punched in the stomach to see all your new hopes for his sobriety dissolve in a bottle of beer. Here are 7 tips to help your alcoholic spouse stay clean and sober: This will be the best alcoholic interventio... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816773 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:03:09 +0100 3816773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816774&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FiKKUWVaTWEg%2F Do you have a alcoholic spouse? Have you tried to do an alcohol intervention for your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife and they walked out? From my experience as a psychiatrist specializing in addiction, an alcohol intervention is DRAMATIC! Yesterday, I was involved in an alcohol intervention with a young man with a drinking problem and his parents. It was one hairy day!  Here is the story… An “alcoholic family”  brought their 28 year old for an evaluation several weeks ago (neither parent drinks). He had gone to rehab (addiction treatment center) in the last year, but relapsed. After rehab, he quit his antidepressant and started drinking again. He became suicidal. I prescribed a medication to prevent symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, started him on an antidepressant, ... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816774 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:50:48 +0100 3816774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816775&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FZR326v-Ld9U%2F Does your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife have trouble with anger? Does your alcoholic spouse have trouble controlling anger or are they easily irritated? As a psychiatrist specializing in addiction, most alcoholics need “anger treatment”. Here are 7 reasons why alcoholic spouses have controlling relationships: Drinking alcohol started in the first place to help numb uncomfortable feelings such as rage. Alcoholic spouses are “intense” and do not know how to regulate emotions (i.e. controlling anger). You would not describe your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife as a balanced person. They tend to have difficulty controlling anger. Your alcoholic spouse is passive aggressive) and avoids direct conflict. He is more likely to not do something you ask than discus... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816775 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:09:34 +0100 3816775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3763062&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FYVpYR3ECRo0%2F Women in psychiatric care have a pronounced record of marks on their bodies that were inflicted during sexual relations. Researchers studied 30 women with alcoholic partners and noted body marks, duration of marks and if the marks were inflicted during love-making. These were then compared to women from the clinic with non-drinking sexual partners. Their ages, gender, ethnicity and social class were similar. Their findings indicate that the spouses of alcoholic men are subjected to more aggressive and painful sexual experiences, more body marks in more regions that lasted an average of 7 days and more biting of body surfaces than wives of non-alcohol-dependent men. These behaviours are interpreted as subtle signs of domestic violence. If you have these experiences please contact your docto... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3763062 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:10:00 +0100 3763062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816776&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FmlUh7z215e4%2F Are you married to an alcoholic? Does your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife put their sobriety first? Does it feel as though their sobriety comes before your relationship? This is very common. Here are 5 common reactions to your alcoholic spouse’s new sobriety. You resent your alcoholic spouse spending so much time going to Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. It takes time away from your marriage and your family. Your alcoholic spouse is as obsessed with sobriety as they were with drinking alcohol. You feel left out of your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife’s sobriety because their main support is from outside the family (12 step meetings). You feel guilty that you are having these feelings because they are finally getting clean and sober which you have wanted for so long. You... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816776 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:51:53 +0100 3816776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816777&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FJaThugbVrsg%2F Are you living with an alcoholic? If so, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (AA) is a very important part of any addiction intervention. However, not only are 12 step programs key for recovery, but  finding the right sponsor to guide your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife through the 12 AA (alcoholics anonymous) steps is very important.  How can your alcoholic spouse find the right sponsor? Check out these 6 criteria: It’s an advantage for your alcoholic spouse to find a sponsor with a lot of sobriety under his/her belt. As a psychiatrist, my patients who have had a sponsor with over 5 years of sobriety seem to have the best experience in their alcoholic recovery. There are exceptions, however where a sponsor can be great who has only 2-3 years of sobriety. It is usually best for the... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816777 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:56:57 +0100 3816777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743722&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FnGKOwtMDL2Y%2F It is important to put the responsibility for dealing with the alcohol problem squarely on the person in question while continuing to love him or her. What works depends on the individual. Doing the "right" thing can depend on how severe the alcohol problem is and on how in touch with it the person in question seems to be. What works for someone who is highly functional in daily life and who knows that alcohol is causing trouble, for instance, may not be the solution for someone who denies that there is a problem. Suggestion #4: Address the drinking problem directly Over and over, people shared comments like these: "Let them know that you are aware of their drinking problem. I thought I had everyone fooled, and they never told me otherwise." – alcoholic lady. &qu... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743722 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:38:00 +0100 3743722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3742414&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2F7MSsjBrNyTc%2F Does your spouse have a drinking problem? If so, hopefully they are motivated to quit drinking. A drinking problem is a huge strain on marriage relationships. Hopefully, you have had an addiction intervention and your alcoholic spouse is already going to Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. AA is one of the 12 step programs that can be key to your alcoholic spouse’s recovery. Do they have an AA sponsor yet? What does this mean and why is it so important? An AA sponsor is basically a guide or a mentor that will help your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife with their sobriety. Usually, the AA sponsor knows the ropes and has been clean and sober for a significant amount of time. In my opinion as a psychiatrist specializing in addiction, the best sponsors have had at least 5 years of sobriety ... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3742414 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:04:24 +0100 3742414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743725&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FykTo0qwvojs%2F It is important to put the responsibility for dealing with the alcohol / addiction problem squarely on the person in question while continuing to love him or her. What works depends on the individual. Doing the "right" thing can depend on how severe the alcohol problem is and on how in touch with it the person in question seems to be. What works for someone who is highly functional in daily life and who knows that alcohol is causing trouble, for instance, may not be the solution for someone who denies that there is a problem. Suggestion #9: Be there for them when they’re ready Most comments on this subject go like this: "Be available when the alcoholic reaches out." "When they hold out their hand for help, grab it." "Help as many times as you are asked.... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743725 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:28:00 +0100 3743725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737303&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2F0D9NKIcgDoE%2F Does your alcoholic wife drink as much a Lindsay Lohan? Does she ever mix alcohol with pain pills or Xanax?  Does she deny having a drinking problem? Here are 10 alcoholism signs: Does she need more and more alcohol to feel the effects she used to (feel intoxicated)? Does your alcoholic wife get defensive if someone confronts her about her excessive drinking? Does she look forward to drinking during the day? Does your alcoholic spouse drink to relax? Has she quit participating in her usual activities? Does your alcoholic wife ever lie about how much she drinks? Has she ever had black outs from drinking? Liver problems? Seizures? Has her job or role as a mom or wife  been affected by her excessive drinking? Has she tried to quit drinking alcohol or cut down, but has not been successful? ... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737303 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:32:40 +0100 3737303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3730107&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FXl1i-YSK67c%2F I treat a number of alcoholic families where there are two alcoholic spouses. Their children are growing up in an incredibly toxic environment. What is the most interesting is that each spouse often accuses the other of being the more serious alcoholic. In this situation, both partners are giving the other spouse “permission” to drink. There is no voice of reason. What happens to these couples? The usual scenario that I witness is divorce. Here is why. Usually, the alcoholic wife or alcoholic husband at some point suffers a serious consequence from drinking whether it is a DUI, health problem (liver disease, pancreatitis), or job loss. Once one alcoholic spouse is put in the position to stop drinking alcohol, there is pressure on their partner to do the same. If one continues t... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3730107 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:59:05 +0100 3730107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3724584&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FOB5VR960wUw%2F Well- today is July 4th. Other families can’t wait for a 3 day week-end. They associate July 4th with family time, barbeque with friends, sleeping in… Not your family. When you have an alcoholic family, 3 day week-ends are a nightmare. You dread them. Here is a description of what your July 4th may shape up to be: Your alcoholic husband is already hung over from July 3rd! Your family is going to a barbeque this afternoon or you are giving one.  Your alcoholic husband has promised not to “get drunk” in front of your parents and friends. However, as the afternoon wears on, he has drunk so many beers you have lost count. His speech is a little slurred and he is talking too loud. As usual, you are so embarrassed by him you want to crawl under a rock. Your kids look to... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3724584 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:17:51 +0100 3724584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721972&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FPqPRCcYV4hY%2F A number of people suffering from alcoholism cannot afford treatment, especially if they have lost their job and lost their benefits. Some people are in a bind because they can’t even afford to see a psychiatrist or even a psychologist. As you know, an alcoholic family suffers issues that affect every member of the family on a deep level. Don’t lose hope. Here are some free options for your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife to get the help they need:  12 step meetings are free. Here are some 12 step programs: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (AA). AA meetings are in all major cities and have a variety of locations with different choices of times. It is a spiritually based program. Online Alcoholic Anonymous meetings called ‘intherooms.com”. I encourage this webs... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721972 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:30:39 +0100 3721972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3724581&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2F66NGdDH3dRI%2F My name is Mary and I’m a lesbian alcoholic in Alcoholics Anonymous I’m an alcoholic. I’m 27. I’m a woman. I’m a homosexual. I’ve been sober in the beautiful Fellowship of A.A. for 17 months and, for the first time in many years, find myself smiling, laughing, and really caring for other people. After ten years of alcoholic drinking, that life of horror, loneliness, and despair brought me to the doors of my first A.A. meeting. In the first few months of my sobriety, I tried to follow suggestions, went to many meetings, joined a group, and found a sponsor whose sobriety I respected. But during this time, I lived in fear — fear of my homosexuality being discovered, fear of being rejected by fellow A.A. members, fear of being left alone to cope with my ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3724581 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:46:00 +0100 3724581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714453&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FrTo1Ry-HPrc%2F The typical alcoholic family that I encounter in my psychiatric practice is when there is an alcoholic wife or alcoholic husband who have children. Sometimes both parents are alcoholic which is a nightmare for their kids. Here are the most common characteristics of an alcoholic family: Chaotic and full of drama- For example: the alcoholic parent may pass out on the front lawn. There is a lot of yelling and screaming on a daily basis. An alcoholic spouse may become violent when drunk. The non-addict spouse or the children get blamed by the alcoholic parent, “I wouldn’t drink so much if you didn’t nag me”, “I wouldn’t drink so much if you were a better kid”… The alcoholic parent cannot be relied on. They do not always pick their children up ... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714453 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:56:03 +0100 3714453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3707009&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FBHy-aw-WSGw%2F Are you living with an alcoholic? Are you trying to get your alcoholic husband  or alcoholic wife to go to Alcoholic Anonymous meetings and your spouse says they hate AA and won’t go? What are the most common complaints that I hear from my patients tbeing treated for an alcohol problem? AA is too religious. A number of people will complain if it is held in a Church. The stories people share about what they have gone through can seem really extreme and can be frightening. Your alcoholic spouse doesn’t feel like he fits in. Your alcoholic wife doesn’t feel comfortable talking about her problems in a group where men are present. Your alcoholic husband claims his problem is not as serious as the other people who attend. The people at Alcoholic Anonymous meetings are now add... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3707009 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:08:10 +0100 3707009 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3703109&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2F10-alcoholic-myths-2%2F The alcoholic denies there is a problem in many statements to themselves and others. I have heard all of these statements and more by people who later decided they were alcoholic. "I’m not a real alcoholic. I haven’t missed a day’s work in five years." "Real alcoholics lose their jobs, houses and families. That hasn’t happened to me." "Drinking is part of the culture where I work." "I only drink because I’m under pressure at work." "I have a drink to escape from my partner’s nagging." "It’s not my fault I got into an accident. The other driver was going too fast." "I’ll stop drinking as soon as I get out of this relationship." "I’ll be fine as soon as I... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3703109 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:38:00 +0100 3703109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3703110&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fquitting-drinking-with-help-from-friends%2F New Delhi: Alcoholics who want to quit drinking have only place where they can meet with like-minded people: Alcoholics Anonymous. At an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting in Delhi, people will tell you that they have been “sober” for six months, or six years and even 16 years but it would take is just one drink to set them back on a path to disaster. Alcoholics Anonymous gives the courage and willpower not to drink again, they say. “One alcoholic talking to another—that’s what works. That’s what happened in 1935 when our two co-founders met. When one alcoholic talks to another, he stays sober. The guy who’s ripe and ready will come and stay with AA,” says one member. There are around 2 million AA members worldwide but the numbers in India are shockingly low. ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3703110 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:59:00 +0100 3703110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3701813&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FOYHpqU8DdN8%2F Are you living with an alcoholic? Do you sometimes have the impression that your alcoholic spouse wants to quit drinking alcohol, but can’t? As a psychiatrist that treats addiction, I see this problem on a frequent basis. What are the obstacles that your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife face? Living sober is a foreign concept to them. The idea is very scary. The only coping skill your alcoholic spouse knows is drinking alcohol to combat stress. Getting through a work day and putting up with his boss’s demands, getting through a day coping with the stress of being a mom with 3 young kids, being alone with a spouse who has been angry with you for many months …this has all been dealt with by relying on a substance; alcohol. The brain of your alcoholic spouse has become ... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3701813 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:19:01 +0100 3701813 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695820&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2F6WflqCrTvZI%2F Does your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife suffer from panic attacks? A panic attack is when you can feel your heart racing, you feel like you need more air, you sweat, feel nauseated, and can experience a sense of impending zoom. Does your alcoholic spouse get “beside themselves” when they experience panic symptoms? Why is this happening to them? Your alcoholic spouse may be suffering from an Anxiety Disorder (Panic Disorder). Anxiety Disorders tend to run in families (in others words has a genetic component). The more anxiety someone experiences, the more likely they will self medicate with alcohol to “calm down”. Over time, this can lead to your brain becoming alcohol dependent. If your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife has recently quit drinking alcohol, th... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695820 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:21:03 +0100 3695820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3687366&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2Fcav-rXtbPBY%2F There is hope that exercise can help your alcoholic spouse quit drinking alcohol. A recent circadian rhythm study in hamsters showed that hamsters that “exercised” (more “wheel running” ) drank less alcohol than those restricted from exercise. Does your alcocholic husband or alcoholic wife go to sleep at all hours of the night and get up at different times during the day? Has your alcoholic spouse lost a routine for both their sleeping habits and eating habits? Bottom line: their alcohol abuse is disrupting their circadian rhythm which can also trigger alcoholic relapse in someone who has been abstinent. Dr. David Glass, Professor of Biological Sciences came to this conclusion after studying hamsters and “wheel running”. The hamsters that were restricte... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3687366 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:13:42 +0100 3687366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3687363&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fspouses-of-alcoholics%2F Alcoholic Partner’s Criticism Linked to Relapse – ‘But not All’ A new study published in Behavior Therapy apparently confirms that Ala-anon’s purpose of offering "understanding and encouragement" to those with drinking problems is best approach family members can take in dealing with the situation. The study, conducted by William Fals-Stewart of the State University of New York at Buffalo, found that men recovering from substance abuse are less successful if they believe their spouse or partner is critical of them, rather than supportive. The study found that of 106 married men studied, those who reported greater criticism from their partners were more likely to have relapsed, regardless of the severity of their drug problem, age or race. Al-Anon is a support group... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3687363 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:55:00 +0100 3687363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3687365&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Ffamily-stages-of-alcoholism%2F A family with an alcoholic in its midst will go through several stages in dealing with the chaos and disruption caused by the alcoholic. These stages are described below in order of appearance. Denial: Early in the development of alcoholism, occasional episodes of excessive drinking are explained away by both marriage partners. Drinking because of tiredness, worry, or a bad day is not unbelievable. The assumption is that the episode is isolated and is, therefore, not a problem. Attempts to Eliminate the Problem:The non-alcoholic spouse realizes that the drinking is not normal and tries to pressure the alcoholic to quit, be more careful, or cut down. At the same time, the spouse tries to hide the problems from the outside and keep up a good.front. Children may start to have problems in resp... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3687365 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:42:00 +0100 3687365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3678663&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FEABcc0EnuE8%2F Are you living with an alcoholic? Is your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife willing to undergo alcohol detox treatment in order to get clean and sober? Are you wondering if they can be treated as an outpatient or if they need to be in a hospital setting? This question can best be answered by a medical professional and is based on how much they have been drinking and if they are a chronic drinker. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening and should be supervised by a medical professional. What are typical alcohol detox symptoms and how long do they last? Typical signs of mild alcohol withdrawal include: Tremulousness Sweating Irritability Abdominal pain Anxiety Nausea Vomiting Insomnia It begins within 6-48 hours after the last drink and can last several weeks. Withdrawal sym... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3678663 Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:32:08 +0100 3678663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3672057&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FNg-NT4yhwuI%2F Are you living with an alcoholic? Do you have children at home? At first, your spouse may have been “abusing alcohol”, but life did not “center” around alcohol. However, over time, their alcohol consumption has increased. Somehow, both your lives now center around alcohol. You have become an “alcoholic family”. Here are typical characteristics of an alcoholic family: Your alcoholic spouse has quit participating in family activities because they are hungover or can’t be relied on to “show up”. You are in a caretaker role. You feel like a single parent. You feel like you are ” parenting” your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife. Your children do not invite friends in an attempt to “hide” what their home life is li... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3672057 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:36:14 +0100 3672057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666236&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2Fo6YF5GhsJt8%2F Are you married to an alcoholic spouse that has always been disorganized and that you have helped keep on track? Does your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife start tasks they never finish or constantly lose their keys, bills, important papers etc? Are they eaasily distracted by noise? Do they procrastinate? If you answered “yes” to most of the questions, your alcoholic spouse may have an Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) diagnosis. I am a psychiatrist that treats a lot of addiction. A number of my patients suffering from alcoholism and addiction have an ADD diagnosis. It seems so common, I have wondered to myself, “What is the deal”?  These two diagnoses seem to go hand in hand. So here’s the scoop: 15% of adults with an ADD diagnosis have a substance use di... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666236 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:39:19 +0100 3666236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662958&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Faddiction-in-the-family%2F Addiction is a complex issue. It affects every member of the family and can have a lasting impact on their lives. The effect on family members varies from person to person and family to family. How Does an Addiction Develop? Addiction is a process rather than an event. In the beginning, people often don’t experience any difficulties. As their use continues, they may begin to focus more on the alcohol, drugs or gambling than they do on the other areas of their lives. This process is often influenced by a number of factors, including the culture they live in, life events, their biological makeup and their relationships with family and friends. Researchers have looked at genetics, environment, and the combination of these two to explain how dependence develops. Right now, it’s bel... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662958 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:34:01 +0100 3662958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3655805&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-7-2%2F Set a good example From her own experience, a wife thinks it’s important for family and friends not to drink in front of people they’d like to stop drinking. Indeed, one of the common themes in advice to loved ones is to be good role models, setting an example by taking steps like avoiding drinking around them and not bringing alcohol into the house. She adds, “Don’t let your good times revolve around drinking.” She recalls how many of the things she and her husband did together used to involve alcohol: “Every event I perceived as a good time revolved around booze. And he just went along with me. We would go to his softball games and out for beer afterward. And if we went to parties or summer picnics, alcohol was always involved.” In short, if a major focus of your relati... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3655805 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:11:00 +0100 3655805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3659162&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FUhLiEJoG9r0%2F Are you living with an alcoholic? Is your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife lying about their drinking habits even to their own doctor? If you suspect this, what can you do? Call your spouse’s family doctor or psychiatrist and let the doctor know much your spouse is drinking. Basically, “tattle” on them. As a psychiatrist specializing in addiction, I appreciate when a family member of a patient calls me and lets me know their alcoholic spouse is “hiding” their alcohol problem from me. I recognize that the patient may be trying to self-medicate unresolved anxiety or depression. However, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Drinking alcohol reduces the beneficial effects of the antidepressants and can cause depression. If a patient’s relative ... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3659162 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:26:48 +0100 3659162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648804&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-3%2F Don’t stop loving them A powerful theme in advice for families and friends is continuing to love the problem drinker unconditionally – being supportive, offering encouragement, and not abandoning him or her. One husband says “Work with them to recognize that you care for them but that their behavior is harmful to themselves and others." A wife says, "Reassure them that you love them unconditionally – that you will be there for them, but that does not include picking up the pieces for them." A somewhat different but important message is to "be supportive and nonjudgmental – as much as you can without compromising yourself." A husband sums it up: "Love from family can be crucial to the alcoholic’s recovery. It does not necessarily include accept... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648804 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:13:00 +0100 3648804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3645061&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-5-2%2F Seek help It’s dumbfounding to learn that some never seek help of any kind with severe alcohol abuse. One wife says, "If my husband had sought help, he would have been admitting how serious my problem was. It was a big family secret." But other people emphasize the importance of not going it alone when someone you care about has a drinking problem. This comment captures the essence of many suggestions: "Join a support group to keep your own life buoyant and prosperous and to analyze your own negative coping strategies." Not surprisingly, many people who take traditional twelve-step recovery routes suggested going to Al-Anon, also a twelve-step-based program. Also, a number of people make a general comment that family and friends should seek counselling for their ow... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3645061 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:33:00 +0100 3645061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3645064&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FqusgXaSiM7o%2F If you are married to an alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife, you are most likely feeling isolated. At first, your spouse probably drank often, but it wasn’t as clear to you that your spouse was an alcoholic. However, over time they have been drinking more and more and you find yourself making more excuses for them to family and friends when they do not show up for planned dinners or special family functions (including important holidays). Your alcoholic spouse has disappointed you so many times that you rarely make plans now with friends to go to lunch or coffee. You have quit even calling many of your friends because you feel embarrassed and ashamed that you put up with your alcoholic wife or alcohol husband. Your marriage centers around your alcoholic spouse’s drinking habit... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3645064 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:00:08 +0100 3645064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3641331&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Falcoholism-is-a-family-disease%2F Family Recovery Family recovery is one of the keys to treatment for alcoholism. Alcoholics and alcohol abusers attract more public attention, but their families and friends also suffer long-term effects from alcoholism-and their recovery may be essential to the alcoholic’s recovery, according to a leading researcher in the field. “Alcoholism is a family disease. While it is important for the family to support the alcoholic’s recovery, it is also important for members of the family to get involved in their own recovery. Family recovery decreases the chances that the children of alcoholics will repeat the pattern and engage in unhealthy relationships,” said Robert J. Ackerman, Ph.D., cofounder of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics and director of the Mid-Atla... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3641331 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:07:01 +0100 3641331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3636030&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2FH15AVdpwYTM%2F Are you married to an alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife? Do you feel totally frustrated and resentful watching them drink everyday and throw their lives away; their family life, their marriage, their work, and their health in the process? Addiction makes no sense. It is a chronic, progressive disease. The brain of your alcoholic spouse hears two voices. The biochemical voice in their brain is “screaming”  at them to drink alcohol. Your voice is nagging, pleading, pressuring them, making them promise to quit drinking alcohol. Which voice will your alcoholic spouse ultimately listen to? In my experience as a psychiatrist treating alcoholism, there is only one reason that any addict gives up the substance they are addicted to. The pain of continuing to drink must outweigh the ... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3636030 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:17:26 +0100 3636030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3641334&cid=t_119099_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fthe-role-of-aa-sponsors-2%2F CONCLUSIONS: The roles identified broadly corresponded with the AA literature delineating the duties of a sponsor. This non-random sample of sponsors was highly engaged in AA activity but only had a past history of moderate alcohol dependence. Research; The role of AA sponsors: a pilot study. Whelan PJ, Marshall EJ, Ball DM, Humphreys K. Alcohol Alcohol. 2009 Jul-Aug;44(4):416-22. Epub 2009 Mar 18. See also; 12th Step Works Relapse is Never an Accident The Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book Unplugged Sober Companions If You Want What We Have The Twelve Steps Of Alcoholics Anonymous: Interpreted By The Hazelden Foundation by Hazelden Foundation Hazelden and HCIBooks Online Spirituality Books Inspirational Books Love & Relationships Books Addiction & Recovery Books (Sour... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3641334 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:08:49 +0100 3641334