Uncategorized
Is Addiction a Disease or a Choice? Am I an alcoholic? Am I an addict? Here are some important facts to know about addiction… Addiction is a brain disease, it’s not a choice. Addiction is controlled in the brain’s reward system. Substances impact this reward system by Imitating the brain’s natural chemical messengers, and Overstimulating […]...
Family and FriendsRecovery Basics
“I’m so addicted to shopping!” “I love this chocolate so much, I’m like, addicted!” “Dude, he’s a complete meth-head. Total addict. He will die from his addiction.” “He’s an addict. Total workaholic.” “My partner is so addicted to sex. Wants it all the time. I’m so freaking tired of it.” “They are addicted to working […]...
Family and Friends
When a substance use disorder (SUD) or full-blown addiction hits a family system, each member is impacted. Sharon Wegscheider Cruse, MA, a pioneer in addiction recovery, states that there are six common family roles that are activated in a dysfunctional family system that caters to an addict. The Addict: This is the individual with the […]...
Family and FriendsLGBTQ+
Substance abuse or Substance use disorder is a significant problem among members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) community. From alcohol abuse and binge drinking to the use of harder drugs like methamphetamines, heroin, and opioids, many people in the sexual minority struggle with addiction. Drug use and substance use disorders among […]...
Family and FriendsLGBTQ+Trauma
Help! Being around my family makes me want to drink! The only way many of us feel like we can survive holidays with the family is to remain constantly under the influence. The questions, the nagging, the political debates, the harassing about “When are you going to get married? When are you going to have […]...
Family and FriendsLGBTQ+Recovery BasicsTrauma
For many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, returning home for the holidays to spend time with our families is insanely triggering. The holidays are anything but happy and our tendency is to spend the time numbed out in our drink or drug of choice. Here are some tips to surviving the holidays with non-affirming […]...
Family and FriendsLGBTQ+Recovery Basics
Just like Santa sneaks down the chimney with a mixed bag of toys and coal for the stockings (anyone actually remember that?) so the holidays with family can be a mixed back of good and bad. If you are considering coming out this holiday season to family and friends, we have a few do’s and […]...
12 StepsFamily and FriendsLGBTQ+Recovery BasicsTrauma
We made it. We survived the soul-crushing experience of the holidays while being LGBTQ+ … and we are still standing. Some of us are only barely hanging on. Hey you, we see you out there, clutching that wine glass, still reeling from the verbal grenades Aunt Suzie threw at you across the dinner table at […]...
12 StepsFamily and FriendsLGBTQ+Recovery BasicsTrauma
You’ve started down the road of sobriety (well done!) and you might have even made it through one or two of the first set of holidays (incredibly well done!). Now that the excitement (and distraction) of the holidays are over, how the heck do you stay sober this year? Work a program. Whether or not […]...
