Magical Thinking and Addiction Magical thinking is a belief that an event happens because of another without cause. It is superstitious thinking that you can prevent something from occurring only if you engage in a certain ritualized behavior. One popular example of magical thinking is the adage, step on a crack, break your mother’s back....Read More

What Is Compulsive Buying Disorder? Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) is characterized by patterns of persistent, uncontrollable, and intense desires or urges for buying.  These urges result in excessive buying followed by negative emotions after the purchase, which precipitates additional buying to overcome the negative emotions.  It is a persistent cycle in which one is unable...Read More

Is There Such a Thing as an Alcoholic Personality? Often, individuals ask the question as to whether there is such a thing as an alcoholic personality.  There are no easy answers to that question, as the answer could be yes or no.  First, a personality encompasses the qualities that form a person’s character.  The better...Read More

About 12-Step Meetings   When a person decides to attend a 12-step meeting, there might be some hesitation or uncertainty about what to expect.  There might be questions such as will there be anyone I know in this meeting or what do I talk about?  These concerns are normal and most individuals experience doubt when...Read More

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Depression: It’s all about Perception Depression can have debilitating effects, but thankfully there are several resources that individuals can use to overcome its harsh symptoms. One popular method used in treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of therapy consisting of strategies to help a person restructure their negative thought...Read More

When I was younger, I remember telling my father that I felt hurt by something my grandmother had said and that I wanted to talk to her about it. He responded by telling me that I was drama and that I shouldn’t talk to my grandma about feeling hurt – he said that she doesn’t...Read More

Anxiety and depression are normal during early recovery.  The main reason for this is a person is learning new ways to cope and live without drugs or alcohol.  During the addiction, getting the drug, finding money to buy the drug, and being with others who use drugs or alcohol are the reason for living.  All...Read More

Sex addiction and love addiction are not the same thing.  The exception to this statement is that both typically involve emotional deprivation experienced in childhood.  The sex addict and the love addict come from homes that are not stable or emotionally fulfilling.  The child in this environment grows up feeling neglected and will look to...Read More

The bond between men and animals likely predates the history of substance abuse and addiction. Men have domesticated animals for work and companionship, they have trained animals to find food and to track missing persons, and now they are turning to animals to assist with addiction recovery. Men and animals form emotional bonds that are...Read More

Like many substance addiction, meth addiction is characterized first and foremost by intense physical and psychological cravings for the drug. An addict will feel compelled to use ever-increasing quantities of meth and to maintain a meth high for hours or days at a time. While high on meth, an addict will experience bouts of anxiety...Read More