“Abandonment is at the core of addictions. Abandonment causes deep shame. Abandonment by betrayal is worse than mindless neglect. Betrayal is purposeful and self-serving. If
What are Your Interests for This Site (the blog)–Emotional Sobriety?
Going forward, I want to check with you, my readers, about what you want to read here. What topics are your favorites? Multiple choice form
20 Minutes Daily Learning to Focus Your Attention Will Change Your Life
“Yet I also recognize this: Even if everyone in the world were to accept me and my illness and validate my pain, unless I can
The Food We Eat Changes Our Brains
When Gut Bacteria Change Brain Function Germs in Your Gut are Talking to Your Brain. Scientists Want to Know What They’re Saying How Your Gut
Our Need for Enmeshment Begins With Us
Overcoming the codependency/narcissist dynamic The narcissist needs to uphold the “false self” at all times. They must be seen to be charming, strong-minded and accomplished
Choosing Your Friends Wisely Means Enforcing Boundaries
Detrimental Decisions Growing up, a lot of us don’t really focus on the concept of choosing our friends or those around us we consider “family”.
Addiction Recovery Books
I recommend the following books for addiction recovery: 12 Steps: A Spiritual Journey (Tools for Recovery) Friends in Recovery ISBN 0941405443 Amazon link Addiction
Use This Self Care Checklist to Improve Your Life
QUICK CHECKLIST FOR YOUR CURRENT RECOVERY LIFE Addiction recovery means living with structure Is gratitude the foundation for your life? Do you have a support
What You Eat Controls How You Feel
Emotional sobriety includes healing mind, body, and soul. Nothing is as important toward our overall health as the food we eat. I will be writing
Codependency Allows Us to Avoid Helping Ourselves
“Playing the victim or being overly responsible allows the adult child to avoid focusing on himself or herself.. Both roles are saturated with codependent avoidance
Why is Codependency Pushed to the Side in the Addiction Field?
I was one of the lucky ones. Having started my addiction recovery journey in Nov. 1976, I discovered Melody Beattie and codependency in 1986. Being
Your Brain Developed Differently Because of Childhood Trauma
“The greatest damage done by neglect, trauma or emotional loss is not the immediate pain they inflict but the long-term distortions they induce in the
PTSD can be Healed by Learning How to Live in the Moment
“I am continuously struck by how frequently the various thought processes of the inner critic trigger overwhelming emotional flashbacks. This is because the PTSD-derived inner
Healing From Childhood Trauma Requires Focus and Direction
“Symptoms of illness and distress, plus your feelings about them, can be viewed as messengers coming to tell you something important about your body or
We Learned Our Core Beliefs as Children Trying to Fit Into Chaos
You cannot make a long-term change in behaviors without addressing the beliefs that underlie them… Most humans try to change things by focusing on behaviors.
Use Your Pain as Energy to Rise Above It
“As I faced each tragedy in my life, I learned to reach into the depth of my soul for strength and determination. Through this
