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Defense Mechanism (series) – Manipulation, Accusing, Judging, Projecting

a projector used to reinforce the function of the defense mechanism of projecting onto a family member when a person abusing substances doesn't want to be confronted

Defense Mechanisms (Denial Series) Manipulation, Accusing, Judging, and Projecting We have been introducing and delving into various defense mechanisms that persons with a substance use disorder (SUD) use with family members, friends, and even themselves. The introduction to the series is here featuring denial, lying, silence. The post discussing the use of humor, compliance, and minimizing is found here. Our...[ read more ]

Teens, Parents, and Drinking

a champagne glass with confetti to show you can have fun without alcohol

Parents, Teens, and Drinking It’s not uncommon for parents to adopt the perspective that they can teach responsible drinking by allowing supervised drinking at home, usually at the dinner table. I’ve been deeply concerned about this, but now there is meta-research supporting my concern.  The perceived logic is understandable: We’ll allow our teen to drink at home, under our supervision...[ read more ]

Defense Mechanism Series – Humor, Compliance, and Minimizing

a sign with here, there, everywhere to reinforce the lack of direction involved in compliance for a person in substance abuse recovery

Defense Mechanisms (Denial Series) Humor, Compliance, Minimizing In a series of blog posts, we are highlighting and discussing in detail defense mechanisms of persons with a substance use disorder. To help concerned family members and loved ones understand the forms that "denial" takes, we are looking at the various ways an addicted brain finds to protect the addict’s use of...[ read more ]

Defense Mechanisms (Denial Series)

a picture of a dictionary open to the word lying to reinforce that persons with a substance use issue lie to cover their behavior

What Is Addiction, Anyway? First, a brief science summary: A brain that is hijacked by substance use disorder (SUD) seeks to protect the use of substances (or the behavior – process addiction). A person who suffers with this disease will develop defense mechanisms – what most people call “denial” – in order to keep people away from identifying the truth...[ read more ]

6 Point Checklist for When Your Family Member Comes Home from Addiction Treatment

hello on a board with a cup of coffee to reinforce welcoming a family member home from substance abuse treatment

What To Do When Your Family Member Comes Home From Substance Abuse Treatment Welcoming a family member home after substance abuse treatment is an emotionally charged time. Family members are usually excited, encouraged, and hopeful. They are also usually hesitant, guarded, and uncertain. Use my 6-point checklist below to help guide your decisions and interactions in the early days and...[ read more ]

5 Mistakes Family Members Make When Their Loved One Comes Home from Addiction Treatment

together we create written on a wall to symbolize a family working together after substance abuse treatment

When Your Family Member Comes Home From Treatment You’ve been waiting, and perhaps even praying, for this for a long time. Your family member finally agreed to get treatment and has successfully completed inpatient treatment for substance abuse. It’s both a celebratory – and anxiety producing – time. Below find 5 things that families should NOT do when their loved...[ read more ]

Criticism, Feedback, Constructive Suggestion – Or as I like to call it “Terror”

a person covering their face because they are scared of feedback and being vulnerable

Asking for Feedback I recently “put myself out there” in terms of (gulp) asking for feedback. This.is.not.easy for.me. I am a perfectionist in (perpetual) recovery. I struggle daily with remembering that done is better than perfect.  To give an illustration of the burden this has been on me, I began 873 journals as a child and teen and never made...[ read more ]

Is Your Relationship With Money Affecting Your Recovery from Substance Abuse?

A person with money fanned in front of their face to introduce the topic of money in recovery from substance abuse

Show Me The Money Money is not talked about nearly enough in the recovery community. That’s unfortunate; it is one of the areas that can have a significant impact on the quality of sobriety, happiness, and personal growth and integrity.     It’s common for persons with the disease of addiction to have had a damaged, dishonest, and dangerous relationship with...[ read more ]

3 Key Points When your Children Live with an Addict in Recovery

A road painted with a family in yellow meant to symbolize spending time together, even and especially when someone is in recovery from substance abuse.

It's complicated living with people who have a substance use disorder (SUD). To be honest, it doesn't get less complicated when that person is in recovery. It gets even more challenging with young family members who are able to understand and observe the patterns of behavior that go with a SUD but not old enough to grasp concepts such as “brain...[ read more ]



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Katy, TX 77494
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