This post contains affiliate links. Realizing your partner has a problem with alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography, gambling, or any other addiction is a very painful reality. The best case scenario is that your partner also recognizes his/her addiction and seeks help in order to recover. Unfortunately, recovery doesn’t go in a straight line. Most addicts struggle with denial, relapse, and changing […]
Category Archives: addiction
Why Your Loved One Getting Sober Doesn’t Solve Your Problems
Mary and Dan have been married for 10 years and for nine of them Dan has been done tried everything in his power to help Mary get and stay sober. He’s driven her to the emergency room, called rehab facilities, participated in the family program at the three recovery programs she’s attended, given her lists of therapists, begged her […]
Parenting Teens: 5 Ways to Cope with Your Teenager’s Drug Use
I recently had the privilege to write an article for the Stop Medicine Abuse campaign. Their mission is to prevent abuse of over the counter medications, especially cough medicines containing DXM. I decided to write a piece for parents about how to cope if your concern about your teen’s substance use. My tips apply whether your concern is OTC drugs, […]
4 Smart Strategies for Coping with an Addicted Partner
The holidays can be a scary time when your partner’s an addict or alcoholic. Instead of visions of sugar plums, you may be having nightmares of: parties with alcohol DUI’s broken promises being embarrassed by your partner ruined holidays of the past receiving gifts of alcohol relapse strained family relationships stress over finances, long to-do lists The most important thing […]
Tips for Moderating Drinking
Moderating Drinking Alcohol is a common way for Americans to deal with stress. We hear a lot about denial as a barrier to change among addicts. I actually often see people in my practice who are quite insightful about their drinking. They come to me looking for help to moderate what they see as an unhealthy behavior. I do […]
10 Signs you are a Perfectionist
Perfectionism can be a serious barrier to success and happiness at work and in personal relationships. We might think having high standards is a good thing. However, perfectionists are so harsh and rigid in their thinking and behavior that it can become a problem. Here are 10 signs you are a perfectionist to help you get started. High expectations […]
Help! My teenager is acting out
Have you been wondering, is my teenager normal? Is s/he depressed? Is s/he using drugs? Am I a good parent? Parents often come to me when their teenager is acting out. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish normal teenage behavior from signs of depression, anxiety, trauma, or other maladjustment. Some warning signs include: substance use, truancy, failing grades, running away, defiance, moodiness, self-harm, […]
Am I an Alcoholic?
Am I an Alcoholic? The internet is full of quizzes, questionnaires, and self-assessments looking to answer the question “am I an alcoholic”? The answer, it seems, depends on who you ask. Let’s begin by trying to define the term alcoholic.