When it comes to addiction treatment, just getting sober takes all of the attention. I cannot stress enough how important it is to recognize trauma’s role when we talk about addiction treatment and recovery. The article “The Link Between Trauma and Addiction” by the Maryland Addiction Recovery Center made this point so well. I wanted… Read more »
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Have you or someone you know ever struggled to get past feeling hurt? Or maybe it’s that traumatic life experience you thought you had already worked through, but it still seems to cause issues. Sometimes people feel stuck; stuck with the same old job, the same fears, the same daily routine. They may feel deep… Read more »
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How often have you asked yourself, “Why am I acting this way?” It is not uncommon to notice that, as we look around at others in the same circumstance that we respond differently; whether it is our response to our child’s backtalk, meltdown or lying. We can understand and accept that we may not have… Read more »
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When a person endures childhood trauma, the experience can have a ripple effect on their mental and physical health throughout their lives. Research on the impact of adverse childhood experience has left no doubt that early trauma, especially unresolved trauma, impacts the development of emotional regulation skills and distress tolerance. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have… Read more »
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Do you notice yourself struggling with a sense of being stuck instead of moving toward a goal you have for your life? Despite working hard for a better job, a secure relationship, or peace of mind, for example, do you seem to go nowhere? Sometimes people feel unable to get past the same old stumbling… Read more »
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We’ve all heard the famous quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” While some version of this expression is often used when discussing broad cultural considerations like war, policy, and politics, it’s also one that very much applies to our own personal history. The less we’re able to bring our… Read more »
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It’s so hard to watch a loved one struggle with addiction. Whether it’s to using drugs, alcohol, food, pornography gaming, or something else, friends and family often feel helpless and hurt. We grieve losing connection with the person we care about. Why does addiction happen? What can friends or family do? I see addictive behavior… Read more »
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You know quite well how to take care of yourself, right? Ways to take care of your body are obvious. Getting enough sleep, brushing your teeth, and eating well are classic examples of good self-care. You need emotional self-care too. Can you notice your emotions and thoughts with gentle awareness? Can you support a loved… Read more »
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The experience of trauma makes a profound mark on a person. It doesn’t matter whether the injury is grave and evident, like the bruising of a battered person, or hard to see, like the emotional neglect of someone detached and withdrawn. Whatever the cause, when a person feels threatened, helpless, and unable to escape, that… Read more »
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Recently, a friend of mine who suffers from chronic lower back pain came back from yet another visit to the doctor with a bit of unexpected advice. Instead of the usual discussion of shots, medications, physical therapy, or even surgery, his doctor recommended a book, Healing Back Pain: The Mind Body Connection. The book by… Read more »
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