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 'character defects'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:39:06 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997829&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fbig-book-quick-reference%2F A quick reference guide to the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book. We offer this quick guide in the hope that it may help another. It is not complete but may serve as a starting point. The Principles of the 12 Step Program Step 1 Honesty  Step 2 Hope Step 3 Faith Step 4 Courage Step 5 Integrity Step 6 Willingness Step 7 Humility  Step 8 Brotherly Love Step 9 Justice Step 10 Perseverance Step 11 Spirituality Step 12 Service Helpful Index of References AA Origin:  XV-XVII AA Organization:  XIX, 567 AA Program Summary:  164 Acceptance:  14, 30, 449, 452 Admission:  25, 72-73 Agnostics:  44-57 Alcoholic:  XXIV-XXVII Alcoholism:  30-43 Aloneness:  17, 89 Ambition:  68, 7... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997829 Sun, 03 Jul 2011 15:14:00 +0100 4997829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968578&cid=t_156959_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F25%2Fwhen-your-workplace-is-toxic%2F If you find yourself in a toxic relationship, you always have the option of ditching the friend and moving on. However, when the environment in which you make your bread and butter damages your self-esteem and robs you of self-confidence, you can’t exactly walk out… if you want to eat that night. What to do? More than a few friends have complained to me recently about toxic workplaces and their dilemma of how to live sanely within insane walls. So I thought about this more, consulted some experts, and offer a few suggestions. 1. Keep the focus on you. Just like you learn in a 12-step groups for friends and families of alcoholics, the only person you can totally control is yourself, so it’s best to begin there. Theoretically, no one can make you feel a certain way unless you allo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968578 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 12:18:01 +0100 4968578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762939&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fdrop-the-rock%2F A recovery book to extend sobriety by addressing;Resentment. Fear. Self-Pity. Intolerance. Anger. This cast of character defects will undermine the best-laid plans for recovery from addiction, alcoholism or codependency. 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 sobriety – 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 insig... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762939 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:40:05 +0100 4762939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4677120&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2Fl3Km47ZfZRo%2F Sorry about the re-run—I wrote this several years ago, and I still agree with the concept of ‘dynamic character defects.’ As I read it now, I recognize how things have changed; buprenorphine (Suboxone) has been incorporated into many of the major treatment centers, and even the smallest programs have at least become familiar with the medication. There still exist some programs where the staff remain ‘anti-Suboxone’, but those places are becoming the exception, and are essentially marginalizing themselves out of the treatment industry. You may note that I had an attitude of cooperation when I wrote this post, years ago. I suggested that those who prescribe buprenorphine work WITH those treatment centers that were ‘anti-Suboxone;’ that they recognize each others’ strengths. ... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4677120 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:42:45 +0100 4677120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074455&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2FX3zhh0WqrR8%2F Introduction:  2. Sharing my story The book begins with a description of my own descent to active opioid addiction, my climb back to sobriety, and my efforts to remain sober.  It is important that I share my own story of addiction and recovery for several reasons. First, all addicts have some amount of internalized shame from addiction-related behavior. It is difficult for an addict to read a discussion about addiction without at some point feeling that the comments blame the addict for his bad behavior. This is especially the case if the discussion includes the type of dialogue that the addict must hear if he is to recover; i.e. comments that imply some degree of responsibility and accountability on the part of the addict.  By sharing my story I want addicts to know that I am one of th... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074455 Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:27:33 +0100 4074455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3480935&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FEJ-3gNlvn0U%2F A recovery book to extend sobriety by addressing; Resentment. Fear. Self-Pity. Intolerance. Anger. This cast of character defects will undermine the best-laid plans for recovery from addiction, alcoholism or codependency. 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 sobriety – 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 po... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3480935 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:40:05 +0100 3480935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416329&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fremoving-guilt-and-shame%2F Recovery from alcoholism, codependency and addiction encompasses getting rid of the guilt and shame of past actions. This is done in Step 4 of the 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-anon, Adult Children of Alcoholic (ACOA) and Narcotics Anonymous. The list below is taken from the Step 4 section of the book ‘The 12 Steps for Adult Children’.  The different areas to be examined in Step 4 work suggested in the book above are: Repressed Anger Approval Seeking Caretaking Control Fear of Abandonment Fear of Authority Figures Frozen Feelings Isolation Low Self-Esteem Overdeveloped Sense of Responsibility Repressed Sexuality And from Clarence S. of Alcoholics Anonymous The inventory is of our defects, not our incidents. Here are the defects: Resentment, A... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416329 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:47:00 +0100 3416329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416338&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2FlWJ8jGUmjFQ%2F What follows is a lightly-edited version of one of my posts from a couple years ago.  I still think that this is a good model for understanding the actions of buprenorphine. Buprenorphine and the Dynamic Nature of Character Defects ‘Suboxone’ and ‘Subutex’ are the trade names for medications that contain buprenorphine, a substance used to treat addiction to pain medications and/or heroin.  Buprenorphine treatment for opiate dependence has been an option in the US since 2003.  Other treatment approaches for opiate dependence have been used for decades but have had limited success.  With a little imagination, treatment approaches can be placed on a continuum depending on the degree to which the treatment demands changes in the personality and behavior of the addict.  Methad... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416338 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:53:31 +0100 3416338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886747&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2FU_-KYhNcoac%2F A year or so ago I wrote an article about the relationship between Suboxone maintenance and traditional recovery.  The article has been reprinted in several forms with minor changes from one  copy to the next, but the general points are repeated here.  I have received occasional comments from people who agree with me and from people who disagree, and from people who hate Suboxone and people who say that Suboxone saved their lives. I received a thoughtful e-mail the other day that deserves re-posting to a broader audience.  For those who are interested in the relationships between addiction and character defects, and the impact of buprenorphine or the twelve steps on these character defects, I suggest that you first read the original article, and then read the e-mail response printed be... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886747 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:25:26 +0100 2886747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1852749&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=35793&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejunkyswife.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fstep-4-and-wandering-thoughts.html "Putting our thoughts on paper is valuable and necessary when completing Step Four. The process of writing focuses our wandering thoughts and allows us to concentrate on what is really happening."-The 12 Steps: A Way OutMan, that wandering mind thing is right. I'm having a hard time getting started on the work for the fourth step this second time around. I've been holding the book in my lap for a while now, but I've only read through a bit of it, and I'm not quite sure what I've actually read as opposed to massaging words with my eyes.I've suddenly gotten very interested in all kinds of things. Here are a few of the things I've discovered and accomplished while sometimes holding, sometimes setting aside, my step book:I realized that the area around my desk was fascinatingly messy. I've cle... Heroin Addiction Codependence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1852749 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:48:00 +0100 1852749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522345&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F313442317%2F “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” “Of course, the often disputed question of whether God can - and will, under certain conditions - remove defects of character will be answered with a prompt affirmative by almost any A.A. member. To him, this proposition will be no theory at all; it will be about the largest fact in his life.” I think the only reason anyone with a drinking problem would dispute this fact would be to justify finding a rationalization to continue drinking. But that is only my personal opinion. They won’t give it the continued attempt and effort the risk to have God remove these defects requires. They also think they somehow retain some level of power to accomplish the task themselves. The result is inevitab... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522345 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:38:56 +0100 1522345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1497608&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F305613840%2F Step Six: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” From page 63 in AA’s 12&12; “Sure, I was beaten, absolutely licked. My own willpower just wouldn’t work on alcohol. Change of scene, the best efforts of family, friends, doctors, and clergymen got no place with my alcoholism. I simply couldn’t stop drinking, and no human being could seem to do the job for me. But when I became willing to clean house and then asked a Higher Power, God as I understood Him, to give me release, my obsession to drink vanished. It was lifted right out of me.” How important is that??? Can it get more important? No! Yet; “Having been granted a perfect release from alcoholism, why then shouldn’t we be able to achieve by the sa... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497608 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:01:33 +0100 1497608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1492245&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F303482195%2F “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” “This is the Step that separates the men from the boys. So declares a well-loved clergyman who happens to be one of A.A.’s greatest friends. He goes on to explain that any person capable of enough willingness and honesty to try repeatedly Step Six on all his faults - without any reservations whatever - has indeed come a long way spiritually, and is therefore entitled to be called a man who is sincerely trying to grow in the image and likeness of his own Creator.” It could have just as easily said: “This is the Step that separates the women from the girls. So declares a well-loved clergyman who happens to be one of A.A.’s greatest friends. He goes on to explain that any perso... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1492245 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:15:51 +0100 1492245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1034922&cid=t_156959_151_f&fid=35793&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejunkyswife.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fzzzzzz.html toothpastefordinner.comScouter says I'm boring. I've been on a blog vacation, I guess, ignoring my Junky's Wife duties. Those of you who've been with me from the beginning remember how I used to post like every fifteen minutes, and then for a while, I posted every day. Now I'm posting just sometimes. There's so much changing that it's hard to know what to say here.Mr. Junky is still doing maddeningly well with his MMT. He's a big old barrel-full of fucking happy. I've spoken with a few experts, and it's apparently the case that methadone is the cure for EVERYTHING, and it makes you know EVERYTHING...and not only do you know everything, but you know it really, really loud.And while he sometimes works my nerves with his loud, loud brilliance, it is very nice to see my husband. He feels bette... Heroin Addiction Codependence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1034922 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:58:00 +0100 1034922