ACEs | Trauma
Codependency – Secondhand Drinking | Drugging Connection
Understanding the codependency – secondhand drinking | drugging connection offers an opportunity to reframe a confusing subject. In this reframing, we better help those coping with a loved one’s drinking or drug use behaviors seek the help they need for their own health’s sake. Codependency Explained The term “codependent” is often used in the world…
Read MoreHonor Veterans Support Their Mental Health
One of the most important ways we can honor our veterans this Veterans Day is to support their mental health. And I mean SUPPORT as in doing the same kinds of things we do to SUPPORT a person’s physical health. We don’t question or shame or expect speedy results when a person seeks help and…
Read MoreWhen Drinking Causes Secondhand Drinking – It’s a Problem
“When drinking causes secondhand drinking — it’s a problem” is a concept not widely understood. Yet it’s a problem for nearly 80 million Americans (and hundreds of millions more worldwide). Who are these people? They are the moms, dads, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren…whose loved one’s behaviors change when they drink alcohol. They are the…
Read MoreSubstance Use Disorder Recovery Needs to be a Family Affair
Substance use disorder recovery needs to be a family affair for one simple reason. A person’s substance use disorder (SUD (whether it involves alcohol or other drug) affects nearly every member of a family. Much of my work has been around raising awareness of the little understood fact and the importance of treating both “sides”…
Read MoreScapegoat Abuse in Alcoholic Families – Andrea Ashley
Scapegoat abuse in alcoholic families is not uncommon. Scapegoat is one of the five roles family members may take on when living in dysfunctional or alcoholic families, according to Sharon Martin, LCSW. The others are mascot, lost child, hero and enabler (caretaker). Dr. Tian Dayton provides a portrait of an alcoholic family in her article…
Read MoreTalking to a Child About a Parent’s Drinking – Secondhand Drinking
Talking to a child about a parent’s drinking – Secondhand Drinking – HOW do you do it? How do you sooth a child whose mommy or daddy yells at them or belittles them when they’ve been drinking. How do you explain to a child their daddy and mommy still loves them when you don’t believe…
Read MoreUsing Brain and ACEs Science to Fight Social Challenges
Using brain and ACEs science to fight social challenges has been a theme running through several of my recent Zoom PowerPoint presentations. The social challenges I refer to are juvenile and criminal justice, homelessness, recidivism, substance use and mental health disorders and secondhand drinking. Audiences have included the Sacramento Area Re-Entry Network, Hope Cooperative Sacramento,…
Read MoreUsing the ACE Score As a Guide – Not a Diagnosis
Using the ACE score as a guide and not a diagnosis is critical. ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) refers to traumatic incidents in childhood and were identified in the epidemiological CDC-Kaiser Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study). This study of 17,000 participants looked at how 10 types of childhood trauma (ACEs) affect long-term health. These include: physical,…
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