The Life and Fear of Living with an Addict and Dealing with Life

The Life and Fear of Living with an Addict and Dealing with Life PDF Author: Beverly Miller
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1453501061
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 82

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Book Description
This autobiography is a true story about the life being ignorant to drugs. It will also reveal to my readers how much pain that I still feel in my heart about my parents’ and grandparents’ deaths. I will continue to show people the struggle that I am still going through today is what I went through for thirty years. How I became the worst alcoholic there was. I was also molested in my younger years, which is still, to this day, very painful. I had to almost watch my mother take her last breath and didn’t even realize what was going on. My grandmother was there for us during those very gloomy and rough days. Because it was so hard, sometimes I did not want to live. Parents need to listen to their kids especially when it comes to molestation; sometimes you may have to ask questions. How I had to kiss my mom on her face, forehead, and hands to tell her good-bye, and she didn’t even know that we were there. I made a very bad mistake when I crossed that street, and the little boy snatched his hand away from me and was hit by a car. How I watched him lie there almost lifeless and could not help him. I was with a man that used drugs, and when the relationship crumbled, the drinking became much worse. How rehab really helped me the second time. How, after seventeen years and no drugs, we are back and even happier. How a person using any kind of substance abuse can alter your mind and the decisions that you may make. When I returned home from rehab, you would not imagine where I found beer bottles and cans. How my cousin was almost killed trying to protect me. How I was beat up by the ones who were supposed to protect and serve. How I had started seeing someone and found out that he was a druggie and dropped him as quickly as I picked him up. How to look for signs when they are on drugs. How drugs can sometimes make a person lose everything that they have. How I have never been so embarrassed in my life until the marshal knocked on my door. How you can try and try again to help a person, but it won’t work unless they want help themselves. How some folks do not want help; they are just going through the motions. How my friend, also an addict, jumped off the subway platform in front of a train. How I know from people in general not to get into a relationship when in a rehab; you are really trying to find yourself again, and you honestly don’t know what you want. This is a must; don’t let a man/woman bring you down. How my surgery made me look at life totally different. How when you really need your family, they are going to be there, no matter what time, day or night. How my brothers became the best fathers ever, and that was because of the positivity that they had in their life. My sisters are fabulous mothers as well as myself. How I learned that through it all, God will stand by you at all times. How I lost my mom on November 5, 1979, and then my father followed her on June 22, 1990, and my grandmother followed on June 13, 1998. How my uncle Junior was there for us from the time my mom was sick; until this day, he has never walked away. How it took me years to step into the hospitals that both my parents passed away in. How we went through everyday problems; the difference was that we had no parents growing up. How you really need to treasure your parents while they are here; don’t wait until they are gone to tell them how much you love them. After all, they gave us life. How I raised kids and was a single parent, and they are okay kids. How I still have bad feelings about the men who molested me. How I am living proof that you can have tremendous fun without a drink in your hands. What made me say “This is it.” How I almost died from being the alcoholic that I was. I would tell you, if you haven’t drank or used drugs, you are not missing anything. You would like to make decisions on a sober conscience. Sometimes the decision you make while using drugs may haunt you for life. How I came to reality to realize that my b

The Life and Fear of Living with an Addict and Dealing with Life

The Life and Fear of Living with an Addict and Dealing with Life PDF Author: Beverly Miller
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1453501061
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 82

Get Book Here

Book Description
This autobiography is a true story about the life being ignorant to drugs. It will also reveal to my readers how much pain that I still feel in my heart about my parents’ and grandparents’ deaths. I will continue to show people the struggle that I am still going through today is what I went through for thirty years. How I became the worst alcoholic there was. I was also molested in my younger years, which is still, to this day, very painful. I had to almost watch my mother take her last breath and didn’t even realize what was going on. My grandmother was there for us during those very gloomy and rough days. Because it was so hard, sometimes I did not want to live. Parents need to listen to their kids especially when it comes to molestation; sometimes you may have to ask questions. How I had to kiss my mom on her face, forehead, and hands to tell her good-bye, and she didn’t even know that we were there. I made a very bad mistake when I crossed that street, and the little boy snatched his hand away from me and was hit by a car. How I watched him lie there almost lifeless and could not help him. I was with a man that used drugs, and when the relationship crumbled, the drinking became much worse. How rehab really helped me the second time. How, after seventeen years and no drugs, we are back and even happier. How a person using any kind of substance abuse can alter your mind and the decisions that you may make. When I returned home from rehab, you would not imagine where I found beer bottles and cans. How my cousin was almost killed trying to protect me. How I was beat up by the ones who were supposed to protect and serve. How I had started seeing someone and found out that he was a druggie and dropped him as quickly as I picked him up. How to look for signs when they are on drugs. How drugs can sometimes make a person lose everything that they have. How I have never been so embarrassed in my life until the marshal knocked on my door. How you can try and try again to help a person, but it won’t work unless they want help themselves. How some folks do not want help; they are just going through the motions. How my friend, also an addict, jumped off the subway platform in front of a train. How I know from people in general not to get into a relationship when in a rehab; you are really trying to find yourself again, and you honestly don’t know what you want. This is a must; don’t let a man/woman bring you down. How my surgery made me look at life totally different. How when you really need your family, they are going to be there, no matter what time, day or night. How my brothers became the best fathers ever, and that was because of the positivity that they had in their life. My sisters are fabulous mothers as well as myself. How I learned that through it all, God will stand by you at all times. How I lost my mom on November 5, 1979, and then my father followed her on June 22, 1990, and my grandmother followed on June 13, 1998. How my uncle Junior was there for us from the time my mom was sick; until this day, he has never walked away. How it took me years to step into the hospitals that both my parents passed away in. How we went through everyday problems; the difference was that we had no parents growing up. How you really need to treasure your parents while they are here; don’t wait until they are gone to tell them how much you love them. After all, they gave us life. How I raised kids and was a single parent, and they are okay kids. How I still have bad feelings about the men who molested me. How I am living proof that you can have tremendous fun without a drink in your hands. What made me say “This is it.” How I almost died from being the alcoholic that I was. I would tell you, if you haven’t drank or used drugs, you are not missing anything. You would like to make decisions on a sober conscience. Sometimes the decision you make while using drugs may haunt you for life. How I came to reality to realize that my b

Living with an Addict

Living with an Addict PDF Author: Biella Blom
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781973200208
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
Do you love an addict or an alcoholic? Loving an addict is one of the most painful and traumatic life journeys that any sober-minded person can experience. Feelings of betrayal, powerlessness, anger, fear, desperation and raw grief are an ever constant companion. The person you love disappears as they chase their addiction. People who love an addict inadvertently get drawn in by the addict and their lives begin to revolve around the dysfunctional hell that the addict's life is. According to the World Drug Report, approximately 247million people worldwide were in active addiction during 2016. Statistics on alcohol abuse are not as easily determined because alcohol is a socially accepted drug. It is estimated that 1 in every 12 adults suffer from alcohol abuse and dependence. Alcohol is a drug. There is very little that separates the emotional pain and dysfunction that saturates your life whether you love an alcoholic or a drug addict. Both substances are mind-altering, both substances reprogram the human brain, both substances render the addict powerless over their addiction. The only person who can break an addict's addiction is the addict. No one can convince, force, coerce or threaten an addict to seek professional help. No one can love an addict into sobriety either. This book is about understanding and helping your loved one, and also about helping yourself. You can never 'learn' to live with an addict. You either come to accept the hard truth or you separate yourself from the addict. Separation can sometimes drive an addict to seek professional help, but it's no guarantee. Sometimes you have to just let go. This book will explain how your addict thinks; however, understanding alone does not mean that you can protect them and yourself. You also need the psychological reediness to act and face certain outcomes. Let me show you how.

Under Construction

Under Construction PDF Author: Rick H.
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 1449767001
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 182

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Book Description
Rick H. often starts his “talk” at recovery meetings with this statement: “I come here because the Rick of old will drink again. So, I need to change, and this is where my professors are.” He then adds that, to live a sober, happy life, he had to find a replacement for the alcohol that he used in his struggles to cope with the realities of life. As his recovery from alcoholism proceeded, he recognized that associated anxiety and depression were also holding him back from a fulfilling life. No one knows without question the connection between addiction, anxiety and depression. Some people suggest anxiety and depression may be the prelude to addiction; other say it’s the engagement of addictive activities that causes anxiety and depression. Still others suggest these illnesses develop in tandem. These debates didn’t really matter to Rick. He understood he is prone not only to alcoholism, but to anxiety and depression as well, whether it be by nature or nurture or both. He accepted this reality. What he desperately wanted to know is how to live a good life and strive to be the best version of himself given that he had these challenges. What are the practical tools he could implement to allow him to be the best version of himself? With this critical need in mind, Rick H. expanded the scope of a previously written book (Under Construction, 25 Life-Building Tools for Addicts in Recovery) to include anxiety and depression. The new book, titled “Under Construction, 25 Life-Building Tools for Living with Addiction, Anxiety and Depression,” is a compilation of tools that reflect a wide range of powerful insights and practical wisdom learned over many years from fellow sufferers met in countless meetings, retreats and workshops. The book’s primary purpose is to provide a simple reference guide consisting of 25 coping tools, described in a practical, easy-to-read format. It also includes real life stories of how these tools have been applied. In addition, he includes probing questions that will challenge the reader to explore how these 25 tools can help the reader’s personal journey of healing. Proceeds from this book will be donated to organizations supporting addiction and mental health.

Addiction & Grief

Addiction & Grief PDF Author: Barb Rogers
Publisher: Mango Media Inc.
ISBN: 1609256069
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
How learning to deal with unresolved emotions leads to true healing—and authentic emotional recovery from addiction. Just as one needs to hit bottom with drinking or using in order to begin recovery, eventually one will also hit an emotional “bottom” of fear, anger, and grief. And recovery can only start by first understanding how, when, and where those emotions took control. Barb Rogers challenges readers in recovery to investigate the unresolved grief and loss in their lives and navigate the impacts of those emotions—emotions that can lead back to using if not resolved. Recovery from addictions involves more than getting sober. It involves finding happiness, which can only happen if the emotional work is done as well. Negative emotions have the ability to weigh on us and influence both our decisions and the way we handle life’s challenges. If we continue to live with fear, anger, and grief, we aren’t really free from our addictions. The steps to recovery—authentic and complete recovery—involve healing from the deeper issues in our life. Learn more about:The emotional healing that goes hand-in-hand with addiction recoveryDealing with grief and resolving underlying issuesHow to find happiness after getting sober

Facing Addiction in America

Facing Addiction in America PDF Author: Office of the Surgeon General
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781974580620
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 420

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Book Description
All across the United States, individuals, families, communities, and health care systems are struggling to cope with substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders. Substance misuse and substance use disorders have devastating effects, disrupt the future plans of too many young people, and all too often, end lives prematurely and tragically. Substance misuse is a major public health challenge and a priority for our nation to address. The effects of substance use are cumulative and costly for our society, placing burdens on workplaces, the health care system, families, states, and communities. The Report discusses opportunities to bring substance use disorder treatment and mainstream health care systems into alignment so that they can address a person's overall health, rather than a substance misuse or a physical health condition alone or in isolation. It also provides suggestions and recommendations for action that everyone-individuals, families, community leaders, law enforcement, health care professionals, policymakers, and researchers-can take to prevent substance misuse and reduce its consequences.

Ending Discrimination Against People with Mental and Substance Use Disorders

Ending Discrimination Against People with Mental and Substance Use Disorders PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309439124
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 171

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Book Description
Estimates indicate that as many as 1 in 4 Americans will experience a mental health problem or will misuse alcohol or drugs in their lifetimes. These disorders are among the most highly stigmatized health conditions in the United States, and they remain barriers to full participation in society in areas as basic as education, housing, and employment. Improving the lives of people with mental health and substance abuse disorders has been a priority in the United States for more than 50 years. The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 is considered a major turning point in America's efforts to improve behavioral healthcare. It ushered in an era of optimism and hope and laid the groundwork for the consumer movement and new models of recovery. The consumer movement gave voice to people with mental and substance use disorders and brought their perspectives and experience into national discussions about mental health. However over the same 50-year period, positive change in American public attitudes and beliefs about mental and substance use disorders has lagged behind these advances. Stigma is a complex social phenomenon based on a relationship between an attribute and a stereotype that assigns undesirable labels, qualities, and behaviors to a person with that attribute. Labeled individuals are then socially devalued, which leads to inequality and discrimination. This report contributes to national efforts to understand and change attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that can lead to stigma and discrimination. Changing stigma in a lasting way will require coordinated efforts, which are based on the best possible evidence, supported at the national level with multiyear funding, and planned and implemented by an effective coalition of representative stakeholders. Ending Discrimination Against People with Mental and Substance Use Disorders: The Evidence for Stigma Change explores stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with mental or substance use disorders and recommends effective strategies for reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek treatment and other supportive services. It offers a set of conclusions and recommendations about successful stigma change strategies and the research needed to inform and evaluate these efforts in the United States.

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts PDF Author: Gabor Maté, MD
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
ISBN: 1583944206
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 522

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Book Description
A “thought-provoking and powerful” study that reframes everything you’ve been taught about addiction and recovery—from the New York Times–bestselling author of The Myth of Normal (Bruce Perry, author of The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog). A world-renowned trauma expert combines real-life stories with cutting-edge research to offer a holistic approach to understanding addiction—its origins, its place in society, and the importance of self-compassion in recovery. Based on Gabor Maté’s two decades of experience as a medical doctor and his groundbreaking work with people with addiction on Vancouver’s skid row, this #1 international bestseller radically re-envisions a much misunderstood condition by taking a compassionate approach to substance abuse and addiction recovery. In the same vein as Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts traces the root causes of addiction to childhood trauma and examines the pervasiveness of addiction in society. Dr. Maté presents addiction not as a discrete phenomenon confined to an unfortunate or weak-willed few, but as a continuum that runs throughout—and perhaps underpins—our society. It is not a medical “condition” distinct from the lives it affects but rather the result of a complex interplay among personal history, emotional and neurological development, brain chemistry, and the drugs and behaviors of addiction. Simplifying a wide array of brain and addiction research findings from around the globe, the book avoids glib self-help remedies, instead promoting a thorough and compassionate self-understanding as the first key to healing and wellness. Dr. Maté argues persuasively against contemporary health, social, and criminal justice policies toward addiction and how they perpetuate the War on Drugs. The mix of personal stories—including the author’s candid discussion of his own “high-status” addictive tendencies—and science with positive solutions makes the book equally useful for lay readers and professionals.

Trauma and Addiction

Trauma and Addiction PDF Author: Tian Dayton
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0757396704
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 432

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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.

Memoirs of an Addicted Brain

Memoirs of an Addicted Brain PDF Author: Marc Lewis
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
ISBN: 0385669267
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
A gripping, ultimately triumphant memoir that's also the most comprehensive and comprehensible study of the neuroscience of addiction written for the general public. FROM THE INTRODUCTION: "We are prone to a cycle of craving what we don't have, finding it, using it up or losing it, and then craving it all the more. This cycle is at the root of all addictions, addictions to drugs, sex, love, cigarettes, soap operas, wealth, and wisdom itself. But why should this be so? Why are we desperate for what we don't have, or can't have, often at great cost to what we do have, thereby risking our peace and contentment, our safety, and even our lives?" The answer, says Dr. Marc Lewis, lies in the structure and function of the human brain. Marc Lewis is a distinguished neuroscientist. And, for many years, he was a drug addict himself, dependent on a series of dangerous substances, from LSD to heroin. His narrative moves back and forth between the often dark, compellingly recounted story of his relationship with drugs and a revelatory analysis of what was going on in his brain. He shows how drugs speak to the brain - which is designed to seek rewards and soothe pain - in its own language. He shows in detail the neural mechanics of a variety of powerful drugs and of the onset of addiction, itself a distortion of normal perception. Dr. Lewis freed himself from addiction and ended up studying it. At the age of 30 he traded in his pharmaceutical supplies for the life of a graduate student, eventually becoming a professor of developmental psychology, and then of neuroscience - his field for the last 12 years. This is the story of his journey, seen from the inside out.

Loving an Addict, Loving Yourself

Loving an Addict, Loving Yourself PDF Author: Candace Plattor
Publisher: Being At Choice Consultants
ISBN: 0981385087
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
Are you feeling exasperated and helpless about your family member's addiction? Are you at your wit's end, having tried everything you can think of to make them stop? If someone you love is engaging in addictive behaviors such as alcohol and drug misuse, eating disorders, smoking, gambling, Internet addiction, sex addiction, compulsive overspending, or relationship addiction, you are undoubtedly experiencing unpredictability in your relationship. Some of the most common emotions you will experience include: - Guilt and shame - Anger and anxiety - Confusion and powerlessness Whether the addict in your life is your spouse, partner, parent, child, friend, or colleague, the key to changing this reality for yourself lies in shifting your focus from your loved one's addiction to you own self-care. This book presents a dramatically fresh approach to help you get off the roller-coaster chaos of addiction, maintain your own sanity and serenity, and live your best life.