Author: Mary Giuliani
Publisher: Mary Giuliani
ISBN:
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 770
Book Description
Your Struggle With Food, Weight, or Substances Is Not Your Fault, It's A Normal Response To Surviving An Abnormal Childhood. Even though Mary was in long-term recovery with food, severe obesity, drugs, and alcohol and had what most people would consider a successful life— behind closed doors, she still struggled and wondered… * Why she had so few close friends and had difficulty finding a fulfilling, romantic relationship. * Why she still struggled with food, sleep, and caffeine. * Why she couldn't find the flow and passion she longed for in her career. * Why, even though she was in long-term recovery with food and substances and had maintained a 160lb weight loss for several decades, she felt the need to hide these parts of her past from others. Finally, in mid-life, she discovered the root cause driving these, and her past struggles with food, obesity, and substances was a condition known as Complex PTSD (CPTSD), a more severe form of PTSD that developed from her being raised in a chaotic alcoholic home. This discovery sent Mary on a five-year journey where she researched leading experts in the trauma and recovery fields who authored books about complex PTSD and the adverse childhood experiences study (ACE Study.) In order to find the most effective treatments for healing trauma, she studied the work of thought leaders in the fields of CPTSD, neuroscience, and developmental psychology and through books about addiction, childhood trauma in adults, emotional trauma, addiction to food, and addiction recovery. Join Mary as she experiences one mind-blowing revelation after another as she learns that CPTSD was operating behind the scenes sabotaging her weight, recovery, relationships, career, and health—and learn what she did to heal. Witness Mary go from believing she was weak, a failure, hopeless, and unworthy due to her struggle with food, weight, substances, and relationships to finally ending these battles by healing the trauma driving them. Discover how she found compassion for what happened to her, released the shame over how she coped, and learned to accept herself just as she is. Learn how healing trauma opened the door for her to forge healthy relationships and finally find her purpose in helping fellow survivors heal and thrive. In This Blending of Memoir, Science-Based Research & Compassionate CPTSD Workbook, You'll Learn: You're not alone; you're not bad or defective; it's not your fault, your symptoms are normal, and you can heal. Access the step-by-step CPTSD workbook & Recovery Guide that Mary used to end her struggle with alcohol, drugs, and food, including what she's done to maintain a 160lb weight loss for over two decades. * Stay on track with your recovery with the included CPTSD workbook. * Gain clarity and heal through worksheets, quizzes & questionnaires. * Gain access to a 36-item menu of evidence-based trauma healing therapies and addiction recovery resources proven to facilitate optimal trauma healing and recovery from difficulty with relationships, alcohol, drugs, food, weight, or other behavioral addictions. To Get Started Ending Your Struggle With Food, Weight, Substances or Relationships Buy Now!
It's Not About Food, Drugs, or Alcohol: It's About Healing Complex PTSD
Author: Mary Giuliani
Publisher: Mary Giuliani
ISBN:
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 770
Book Description
Your Struggle With Food, Weight, or Substances Is Not Your Fault, It's A Normal Response To Surviving An Abnormal Childhood. Even though Mary was in long-term recovery with food, severe obesity, drugs, and alcohol and had what most people would consider a successful life— behind closed doors, she still struggled and wondered… * Why she had so few close friends and had difficulty finding a fulfilling, romantic relationship. * Why she still struggled with food, sleep, and caffeine. * Why she couldn't find the flow and passion she longed for in her career. * Why, even though she was in long-term recovery with food and substances and had maintained a 160lb weight loss for several decades, she felt the need to hide these parts of her past from others. Finally, in mid-life, she discovered the root cause driving these, and her past struggles with food, obesity, and substances was a condition known as Complex PTSD (CPTSD), a more severe form of PTSD that developed from her being raised in a chaotic alcoholic home. This discovery sent Mary on a five-year journey where she researched leading experts in the trauma and recovery fields who authored books about complex PTSD and the adverse childhood experiences study (ACE Study.) In order to find the most effective treatments for healing trauma, she studied the work of thought leaders in the fields of CPTSD, neuroscience, and developmental psychology and through books about addiction, childhood trauma in adults, emotional trauma, addiction to food, and addiction recovery. Join Mary as she experiences one mind-blowing revelation after another as she learns that CPTSD was operating behind the scenes sabotaging her weight, recovery, relationships, career, and health—and learn what she did to heal. Witness Mary go from believing she was weak, a failure, hopeless, and unworthy due to her struggle with food, weight, substances, and relationships to finally ending these battles by healing the trauma driving them. Discover how she found compassion for what happened to her, released the shame over how she coped, and learned to accept herself just as she is. Learn how healing trauma opened the door for her to forge healthy relationships and finally find her purpose in helping fellow survivors heal and thrive. In This Blending of Memoir, Science-Based Research & Compassionate CPTSD Workbook, You'll Learn: You're not alone; you're not bad or defective; it's not your fault, your symptoms are normal, and you can heal. Access the step-by-step CPTSD workbook & Recovery Guide that Mary used to end her struggle with alcohol, drugs, and food, including what she's done to maintain a 160lb weight loss for over two decades. * Stay on track with your recovery with the included CPTSD workbook. * Gain clarity and heal through worksheets, quizzes & questionnaires. * Gain access to a 36-item menu of evidence-based trauma healing therapies and addiction recovery resources proven to facilitate optimal trauma healing and recovery from difficulty with relationships, alcohol, drugs, food, weight, or other behavioral addictions. To Get Started Ending Your Struggle With Food, Weight, Substances or Relationships Buy Now!
Publisher: Mary Giuliani
ISBN:
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 770
Book Description
Your Struggle With Food, Weight, or Substances Is Not Your Fault, It's A Normal Response To Surviving An Abnormal Childhood. Even though Mary was in long-term recovery with food, severe obesity, drugs, and alcohol and had what most people would consider a successful life— behind closed doors, she still struggled and wondered… * Why she had so few close friends and had difficulty finding a fulfilling, romantic relationship. * Why she still struggled with food, sleep, and caffeine. * Why she couldn't find the flow and passion she longed for in her career. * Why, even though she was in long-term recovery with food and substances and had maintained a 160lb weight loss for several decades, she felt the need to hide these parts of her past from others. Finally, in mid-life, she discovered the root cause driving these, and her past struggles with food, obesity, and substances was a condition known as Complex PTSD (CPTSD), a more severe form of PTSD that developed from her being raised in a chaotic alcoholic home. This discovery sent Mary on a five-year journey where she researched leading experts in the trauma and recovery fields who authored books about complex PTSD and the adverse childhood experiences study (ACE Study.) In order to find the most effective treatments for healing trauma, she studied the work of thought leaders in the fields of CPTSD, neuroscience, and developmental psychology and through books about addiction, childhood trauma in adults, emotional trauma, addiction to food, and addiction recovery. Join Mary as she experiences one mind-blowing revelation after another as she learns that CPTSD was operating behind the scenes sabotaging her weight, recovery, relationships, career, and health—and learn what she did to heal. Witness Mary go from believing she was weak, a failure, hopeless, and unworthy due to her struggle with food, weight, substances, and relationships to finally ending these battles by healing the trauma driving them. Discover how she found compassion for what happened to her, released the shame over how she coped, and learned to accept herself just as she is. Learn how healing trauma opened the door for her to forge healthy relationships and finally find her purpose in helping fellow survivors heal and thrive. In This Blending of Memoir, Science-Based Research & Compassionate CPTSD Workbook, You'll Learn: You're not alone; you're not bad or defective; it's not your fault, your symptoms are normal, and you can heal. Access the step-by-step CPTSD workbook & Recovery Guide that Mary used to end her struggle with alcohol, drugs, and food, including what she's done to maintain a 160lb weight loss for over two decades. * Stay on track with your recovery with the included CPTSD workbook. * Gain clarity and heal through worksheets, quizzes & questionnaires. * Gain access to a 36-item menu of evidence-based trauma healing therapies and addiction recovery resources proven to facilitate optimal trauma healing and recovery from difficulty with relationships, alcohol, drugs, food, weight, or other behavioral addictions. To Get Started Ending Your Struggle With Food, Weight, Substances or Relationships Buy Now!
Trauma and Addiction
Author: Tian Dayton
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0757396704
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
For the past decade, author Tian Dayton has been researching trauma and addiction, and how psychodrama (or sociometry group psychotherapy) can be used in their treatment. Since trauma responses are stored in the body, a method of therapy that engages the body through role play can be more effective in accessing the full complement of trauma-related memories. This latest book identifies the interconnection of trauma and addictive behavior, and shows why they can become an unending cycle. Emotional and psychological pain so often lead to self-medicating, which leads to more pain, and inevitably more self-medicating, and so on--ad infinitum. This groundbreaking book offers readers effective ways to work through their traumas in order to heal their addictions and their predilection toward what clinicians call self-medicating (the abuse of substances [alcohol, drugs, food], activities [work, sex, gambling, etc.] and/or possessions [money, material things].) Readers caught up in the endless cycle of trauma and addiction will permanently transform their lives by reading this book. Therapists treating patients for whom no other avenue of therapy has proved effective will find that this book offers practical, lasting solutions. Case studies and examples of this behavioral phenomenon will illustrate the connection, helping readers understand its dynamics, recognize their own situations and realize that they are not alone in experiencing this syndrome. The author deftly combines the longstanding trauma theories of Van der Kolk, Herman, Bowlby, Krystal and others with her own experiential methods using psychodrama, sociometry and group therapy in the treatment of addiction and posttraumatic stress disorder. While designed to be useful to therapists, this book will also be accessible to trade readers. It includes comprehensive references, as well as a complete index.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0757396704
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
For the past decade, author Tian Dayton has been researching trauma and addiction, and how psychodrama (or sociometry group psychotherapy) can be used in their treatment. Since trauma responses are stored in the body, a method of therapy that engages the body through role play can be more effective in accessing the full complement of trauma-related memories. This latest book identifies the interconnection of trauma and addictive behavior, and shows why they can become an unending cycle. Emotional and psychological pain so often lead to self-medicating, which leads to more pain, and inevitably more self-medicating, and so on--ad infinitum. This groundbreaking book offers readers effective ways to work through their traumas in order to heal their addictions and their predilection toward what clinicians call self-medicating (the abuse of substances [alcohol, drugs, food], activities [work, sex, gambling, etc.] and/or possessions [money, material things].) Readers caught up in the endless cycle of trauma and addiction will permanently transform their lives by reading this book. Therapists treating patients for whom no other avenue of therapy has proved effective will find that this book offers practical, lasting solutions. Case studies and examples of this behavioral phenomenon will illustrate the connection, helping readers understand its dynamics, recognize their own situations and realize that they are not alone in experiencing this syndrome. The author deftly combines the longstanding trauma theories of Van der Kolk, Herman, Bowlby, Krystal and others with her own experiential methods using psychodrama, sociometry and group therapy in the treatment of addiction and posttraumatic stress disorder. While designed to be useful to therapists, this book will also be accessible to trade readers. It includes comprehensive references, as well as a complete index.
The Body Keeps the Score
Author: Bessel A. Van der Kolk
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0143127748
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 466
Book Description
Originally published by Viking Penguin, 2014.
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0143127748
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 466
Book Description
Originally published by Viking Penguin, 2014.
Complex Ptsd: How to Improve Your Moods Regain (Compassionate Strategies to Begin Healing From Childhood Trauma)
Author: Ernest Nilsson
Publisher: Ernest Nilsson
ISBN:
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 179
Book Description
PTSD in a given year and the causes can be manifold—including car accidents, abuse, bullying, and being diagnosed with a serious illness. If you have PTSD, then you know all the challenging symptoms that can plague you—the flashbacks, nightmares, distress, panic, and depression—making it seem like the pain is impossible to get rid of. As powerless as PTSD can make you feel, you can control it and transform fear into confidence and safety with powerful, scientifically-backed strategies. This book touches on the following topics; · What is PTSD? · The relationship between PTSD and anxiety and depression · The science behind PTSD · The differences between PTSD in women and men · Symptoms of Anxiety · Differentiating between both sets of symptoms · The Causes of PTSD and Related Anxiety Disorders · Treatment options For PTSD · The Relationship Between Physical And Mental Health · And much more! This book, together with other resources and professional help, hopes to help its readers to overcome depression, anxiety, anger & worry associated with PTSD and Complex PTSD. In future updates, it will expand further into how to improve your moods, regain emotional control, find your purpose after trauma & rise from CPTSD.
Publisher: Ernest Nilsson
ISBN:
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 179
Book Description
PTSD in a given year and the causes can be manifold—including car accidents, abuse, bullying, and being diagnosed with a serious illness. If you have PTSD, then you know all the challenging symptoms that can plague you—the flashbacks, nightmares, distress, panic, and depression—making it seem like the pain is impossible to get rid of. As powerless as PTSD can make you feel, you can control it and transform fear into confidence and safety with powerful, scientifically-backed strategies. This book touches on the following topics; · What is PTSD? · The relationship between PTSD and anxiety and depression · The science behind PTSD · The differences between PTSD in women and men · Symptoms of Anxiety · Differentiating between both sets of symptoms · The Causes of PTSD and Related Anxiety Disorders · Treatment options For PTSD · The Relationship Between Physical And Mental Health · And much more! This book, together with other resources and professional help, hopes to help its readers to overcome depression, anxiety, anger & worry associated with PTSD and Complex PTSD. In future updates, it will expand further into how to improve your moods, regain emotional control, find your purpose after trauma & rise from CPTSD.
What Happened to You?
Author: Oprah Winfrey
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ISBN: 1250223210
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 282
Book Description
ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Our earliest experiences shape our lives far down the road, and What Happened to You? provides powerful scientific and emotional insights into the behavioral patterns so many of us struggle to understand. “Through this lens we can build a renewed sense of personal self-worth and ultimately recalibrate our responses to circumstances, situations, and relationships. It is, in other words, the key to reshaping our very lives.”—Oprah Winfrey This book is going to change the way you see your life. Have you ever wondered "Why did I do that?" or "Why can't I just control my behavior?" Others may judge our reactions and think, "What's wrong with that person?" When questioning our emotions, it's easy to place the blame on ourselves; holding ourselves and those around us to an impossible standard. It's time we started asking a different question. Through deeply personal conversations, Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry offer a groundbreaking and profound shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” Here, Winfrey shares stories from her own past, understanding through experience the vulnerability that comes from facing trauma and adversity at a young age. In conversation throughout the book, she and Dr. Perry focus on understanding people, behavior, and ourselves. It’s a subtle but profound shift in our approach to trauma, and it’s one that allows us to understand our pasts in order to clear a path to our future—opening the door to resilience and healing in a proven, powerful way.
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ISBN: 1250223210
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 282
Book Description
ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Our earliest experiences shape our lives far down the road, and What Happened to You? provides powerful scientific and emotional insights into the behavioral patterns so many of us struggle to understand. “Through this lens we can build a renewed sense of personal self-worth and ultimately recalibrate our responses to circumstances, situations, and relationships. It is, in other words, the key to reshaping our very lives.”—Oprah Winfrey This book is going to change the way you see your life. Have you ever wondered "Why did I do that?" or "Why can't I just control my behavior?" Others may judge our reactions and think, "What's wrong with that person?" When questioning our emotions, it's easy to place the blame on ourselves; holding ourselves and those around us to an impossible standard. It's time we started asking a different question. Through deeply personal conversations, Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry offer a groundbreaking and profound shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” Here, Winfrey shares stories from her own past, understanding through experience the vulnerability that comes from facing trauma and adversity at a young age. In conversation throughout the book, she and Dr. Perry focus on understanding people, behavior, and ourselves. It’s a subtle but profound shift in our approach to trauma, and it’s one that allows us to understand our pasts in order to clear a path to our future—opening the door to resilience and healing in a proven, powerful way.
How to Heal Your Inner Child
Author: Simon Chapple
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 1529383641
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 369
Book Description
'A masterclass in understanding' ANNIE GRACE, author of This Naked Mind Ten questions to ask yourself, right now: * Do you have a sense that something is wrong, but you don't know what it is? * Do you have a feeling that you are hollow inside, that you are empty or have a void within? * Do you react badly to rejection? * Do you often feel sad, unhappy or down for no obvious reason? * Would you describe yourself as highly sensitive? * Do you have problems with relationships and intimacy? * Do you engage in addictive behaviour - alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, food, sex, work, exercise? * Do you have low self-esteem or self-worth - are you not 'good enough'? * Do you have a sense of being numb to your feelings? * Do you rarely experience true joy and happiness? If you have answered 'yes' to most of these questions, there is a strong chance you have experienced emotional neglect or trauma as a child. An emotionally neglected child may struggle to form strong and secure attachments as an adult. They may feel hollow or empty, worthless (or overly important), judge themselves harshly and struggle with addictive tendencies - drinking, eating or exercising too much, for example. If this describes you, Heal Your Inner Child will change your life and give you back the love, compassion and authenticity you needed as a child, and deserve as an adult. Fomer heavy drinker turned sobriety coach Simon Chapple is - like you - a survivor of childhood trauma. His unique brand of straight-talking, practical yet reflective and relatable advice has helped thousands of people quit drinking, and he can help you now to move on from childhood emotional neglect to a place of happiness free from past trauma. How to Heal Your Inner Child is a stepped and safe approach to confronting your past, with space for reflective and supportive strategies that will help you to foster self-compassion and break free from the destructive behaviours that have blighted your life. Clinically endorsed and verified by a psychotherapist, this deeply personal, unflinchingly honest exploration is designed to unlock your own epiphany and support you as you journey to a happier, less troubled and more authentic self.
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 1529383641
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 369
Book Description
'A masterclass in understanding' ANNIE GRACE, author of This Naked Mind Ten questions to ask yourself, right now: * Do you have a sense that something is wrong, but you don't know what it is? * Do you have a feeling that you are hollow inside, that you are empty or have a void within? * Do you react badly to rejection? * Do you often feel sad, unhappy or down for no obvious reason? * Would you describe yourself as highly sensitive? * Do you have problems with relationships and intimacy? * Do you engage in addictive behaviour - alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, food, sex, work, exercise? * Do you have low self-esteem or self-worth - are you not 'good enough'? * Do you have a sense of being numb to your feelings? * Do you rarely experience true joy and happiness? If you have answered 'yes' to most of these questions, there is a strong chance you have experienced emotional neglect or trauma as a child. An emotionally neglected child may struggle to form strong and secure attachments as an adult. They may feel hollow or empty, worthless (or overly important), judge themselves harshly and struggle with addictive tendencies - drinking, eating or exercising too much, for example. If this describes you, Heal Your Inner Child will change your life and give you back the love, compassion and authenticity you needed as a child, and deserve as an adult. Fomer heavy drinker turned sobriety coach Simon Chapple is - like you - a survivor of childhood trauma. His unique brand of straight-talking, practical yet reflective and relatable advice has helped thousands of people quit drinking, and he can help you now to move on from childhood emotional neglect to a place of happiness free from past trauma. How to Heal Your Inner Child is a stepped and safe approach to confronting your past, with space for reflective and supportive strategies that will help you to foster self-compassion and break free from the destructive behaviours that have blighted your life. Clinically endorsed and verified by a psychotherapist, this deeply personal, unflinchingly honest exploration is designed to unlock your own epiphany and support you as you journey to a happier, less troubled and more authentic self.
Building Resilience to Trauma
Author: Elaine Miller-Karas
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136480889
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
After a traumatic experience, survivors often experience a cascade of physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and spiritual responses that leave them feeling unbalanced and threatened. Building Resilience to Trauma explains these common responses from a biological perspective, reframing the human experience from one of shame and pathology to one of hope and biology. It also presents alternative approaches, the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) and the Community Resiliency Model (CRM), which offer concrete and practical skills that resonate with what we know about the biology of trauma. In programs co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, ADRA International and the department of behavioral health of San Bernardino County, the TRM and the CRM have been used to reduce and in some cases eliminate the symptoms of trauma by helping survivors regain a sense of balance. Clinicians will find that they can use the models with almost anyone who has experienced or witnessed any event that was perceived as life threatening or posed a serious injury to themselves or to others. The models can also be used to treat symptoms of vicarious traumatization and compassion fatigue.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136480889
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
After a traumatic experience, survivors often experience a cascade of physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and spiritual responses that leave them feeling unbalanced and threatened. Building Resilience to Trauma explains these common responses from a biological perspective, reframing the human experience from one of shame and pathology to one of hope and biology. It also presents alternative approaches, the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) and the Community Resiliency Model (CRM), which offer concrete and practical skills that resonate with what we know about the biology of trauma. In programs co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, ADRA International and the department of behavioral health of San Bernardino County, the TRM and the CRM have been used to reduce and in some cases eliminate the symptoms of trauma by helping survivors regain a sense of balance. Clinicians will find that they can use the models with almost anyone who has experienced or witnessed any event that was perceived as life threatening or posed a serious injury to themselves or to others. The models can also be used to treat symptoms of vicarious traumatization and compassion fatigue.
Coping with Trauma-related Dissociation
Author: Suzette Boon
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 039370646X
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 490
Book Description
This training manual for pateints who have suffered severe trauma includes a short educational piece, homework sheets, and exercises that promote essential emotional and life skills.
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 039370646X
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 490
Book Description
This training manual for pateints who have suffered severe trauma includes a short educational piece, homework sheets, and exercises that promote essential emotional and life skills.
Facing Addiction
Author: Patrick Carnes
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780982650561
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The indespensible workbook to begin recovery from drugs and alcohol, using Dr. Patrick Carnes' pioneering thirty-task model.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780982650561
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The indespensible workbook to begin recovery from drugs and alcohol, using Dr. Patrick Carnes' pioneering thirty-task model.
Addiction Is a Choice
Author: Jeffrey A. Schaler
Publisher: Open Court
ISBN: 0812697685
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
Politicians and the media tell us that people who take drugs, including alcohol or nicotine, cannot help themselves. They are supposedly victims of the disease of 'addiciton', and they need 'treatment'. The same goes for sex addicts, shopping addicts, food addicts, gambling addicts, or even addicts to abusive relationships. This theory, which grew out of the Temperance movement and was developed and disseminated by the religious cult known as Alcoholics Anonymous, has not been confirmed by any factual research. Numerous scientific studies show that 'addicts' are in control of their behavior. Contrary to the shrill, mindless propaganda of the 'war on drugs', very few of the people who use alcohol, marijuana, heroin, or cocaine will ever become 'addicted', and of those who do become heavy drug users, most will matrue out of it in time, without treatment. Research indicates that 'treatment' is completely ineffective, an absolute waste of time and money. Instead of looking at drub addiction as a disease, Dr. Schaler proposes that we view it as willful commitment or dedication, akin to joining a religion or pursuing a romantic involvement. While heavy consumption of drugs is often foolish and self-destructive, it is a matter of personal choice.
Publisher: Open Court
ISBN: 0812697685
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
Politicians and the media tell us that people who take drugs, including alcohol or nicotine, cannot help themselves. They are supposedly victims of the disease of 'addiciton', and they need 'treatment'. The same goes for sex addicts, shopping addicts, food addicts, gambling addicts, or even addicts to abusive relationships. This theory, which grew out of the Temperance movement and was developed and disseminated by the religious cult known as Alcoholics Anonymous, has not been confirmed by any factual research. Numerous scientific studies show that 'addicts' are in control of their behavior. Contrary to the shrill, mindless propaganda of the 'war on drugs', very few of the people who use alcohol, marijuana, heroin, or cocaine will ever become 'addicted', and of those who do become heavy drug users, most will matrue out of it in time, without treatment. Research indicates that 'treatment' is completely ineffective, an absolute waste of time and money. Instead of looking at drub addiction as a disease, Dr. Schaler proposes that we view it as willful commitment or dedication, akin to joining a religion or pursuing a romantic involvement. While heavy consumption of drugs is often foolish and self-destructive, it is a matter of personal choice.