We often hear addictive behavior described in other terms—as a disease, or as a coping mechanism. Both can seem inherently negative in connotation. They suggest that that there’s something wrong that needs to be fixed. “I am an addict and that’s what’s wrong.” In the western medical model, the problem is the disease of addiction, …
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For Mother’s Day, Consider This: Is Your Mother Driving You To Drink?

May 12th, 2017 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Addiction | Alcohol Addiction | Parenting | Relationships | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on For Mother’s Day, Consider This: Is Your Mother Driving You To Drink?)

All holidays are stressful. It’s either the good stress of trying to do all you have planned for those you love or the dread you feel about again being in certain family situations that you felt you “escaped” as an adult. Or maybe it’s a combination of the two. As complicated as family gatherings are, …
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Incorporating the Principles of 12 Step Recovery into Addiction-Focused Therapy: Step 1

February 9th, 2017 | Posted by Rob Weiss in Addiction | Alcohol Addiction | Drug Addiction | Prescription Drug Addiction - (Comments Off on Incorporating the Principles of 12 Step Recovery into Addiction-Focused Therapy: Step 1)

In a previous posting to this site I wrote about the basic ways in which addiction treatment specialists and other therapists can fold 12 step principals and themes into therapy. In that article I discussed the belief that clinicians treating addicts should generally steer their clients toward the external social support and guidance offered by …
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Holiday Sanity and Sobriety: Tips for Recovering Addicts

December 13th, 2016 | Posted by Rob Weiss in Addiction & Recovery | Alcohol Addiction - (Comments Off on Holiday Sanity and Sobriety: Tips for Recovering Addicts)

The holiday season is supposed to be overflowing with joy. Most people, however, find themselves dealing with stress and anxiety more than any of the happier emotions. For recovering addicts in particular, the holidays can be a difficult time of year, as all of the extra emotional discomfort can and often does trigger a desire …
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Spot It You Got it

September 10th, 2016 | Posted by Sherry Gaba in Addiction & Recovery | Alcohol Addiction | Drug Addiction | Love Addiction | Marijuana Addiction - (Comments Off on Spot It You Got it)

Many of us have heard the phrase, “When you point your finger at someone else, remember you have three fingers pointed back at you.”  It took me a long time to truly get an understanding for this phrase.  It wasn’t until going into recovery for codependence that I finally realized what it meant.  Now, it …
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Expectations: we all have them. Maybe we wake up and think it will be a good day. You were on time all morning, and just about to get to work when an obstacle arises, causing you to be late, thus ruining your momentum, perhaps even your day. We have all heard the sayings, “expect the …
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Letting go of fear of Abandonment

August 18th, 2016 | Posted by Sherry Gaba in Addiction | Addiction Discussions | Alcohol Addiction | Body Image | Health & Wellness | Relationships | Sex Addiction | Uncategorized | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Letting go of fear of Abandonment)

Hi guys.  Today I want to talk a little bit about the topic of letting go of our fears of abandonment.  I think it’s a really important subject when delving into love addiction and co-dependency, and fear of abandonment is one of the main things that prevents people from getting out of unhealthy relationships. The …
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Why Sober St. Patrick’s Day is Important to YOU

March 14th, 2016 | Posted by Patricia O'Gorman, PhD in Addiction | Alcohol Addiction | Girly Thoughts | Women's Issues - (Comments Off on Why Sober St. Patrick’s Day is Important to YOU)

There is nothing like getting an award to make you pay attention to the group that is giving it. This was my experience when I was told I was receiving the Emerald Spirits Award from Sober St. Patrick’s Day. Sober St Patrick’s Day? I had vaguely heard of the group, but now I needed to learn …
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Love Addiction:  When Caring Becomes Dangerous

November 12th, 2014 | Posted by Sherry Gaba in Addiction | Addiction Discussions | Alcohol Addiction | Celebrity Rehab | Drug Addiction | Sex Addiction - (Comments Off on Love Addiction:  When Caring Becomes Dangerous)

Sherry Gaba, LCSW, a psychotherapist and life, love, and recovery coach, is featured on Celebrity Rehab on VH1. Sherry is the author of  The Law of Sobriety, which uses the Law of Attraction to help people recover from addiction. Get your free meditation audio MP3 How to Attract Positive Energy  and to learn more about Wake …
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