Fears for Children When Divorcing an Alcoholic
The thought of divorcing an alcoholic * is terrifying for so many reasons, but when one has children, it can be paralyzing. Time and again I receive phone calls and emails from spouses expressing fears like these: “I am terrified to divorce because my children aren’t safe with him/her they drink.” “He drinks and drives…
Read MoreWhy Can’t An Alcoholic Have One Drink
Why can’t an alcoholic have one drink? This question baffles not only the alcoholic (now diagnosed as a person with severe alcohol use disorder) but their family members and close friends, as well. The answer is in the details that explain the brain disease of addiction (aka brain disorder) – whether it’s an addiction to…
Read MoreHidden Half-Empty Bottles – Should I Dump Them Out or ???
Some variation of this question comes up often, “I found hidden half-empty bottles of vodka all over the house. Should I dump them out? I did that the last time, and he accused me of snooping…not trusting him.” I remember that sick, kicked-in-the-gut feeling when I found my loved ones’ hidden half-empty bottles. Sometimes I’d…
Read MoreUnderstand Brain Maps | Change a Habit | Change Your Life
Understand brain maps and you can learn how to change a habit, change your life. Now that’s a bold, somewhat bizarre statement. Nonetheless, it holds the key to the power each of us can wield over the health of our brain and therefore the quality of our life. Here is a very basic explanation. How…
Read MoreWant to Prevent Addiction? Assess Your Risk Factors
Want to prevent addiction? Of course you do – even if it’s not your own. Maybe it’s your child or friend or significant other’s substance use you’re worried about. So the obvious question then is, “How?” [But before I continue, there’s been a great deal of research and advanced understandings about the term addiction (drug…
Read MoreWhy Addicts | Alcoholics Lie, Cheat, Steal
Why addicts | alcoholics lie, cheat, steal from those they love the most – WHY? why? WHY?!?*% – becomes one of the many pressing questions that swirl through the minds of those who love them. At first loved ones are baffled and question themselves, wracking their brains to replay conversations and actions taken, “Maybe I…
Read MoreHere’s to Neural Networks!
Neural networks form the basis of our brain and body’s communication system. In other words, they are how neurons in the brain – called brain cells – “talk” to one another and then to and from others throughout the body via the nervous system. Two important pieces in this “talking” process are neurotransmitters and receptors.…
Read MoreSober Up Fast – Is It Even Possible?
Sober up fast? Is that even possible? The short answer is, “NO.” But what about throwing up, taking a walk around the block, drinking coffee, or taking a cold shower? Doesn’t that work? Still, “No.” In fact, the only thing that can sober a person up is TIME. Why time? It has to do with…
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