by PAL | Aug 1, 2025 | A Counselor
Addiction starts with our brain, and I find it helps to imagine that our brain is like a dog driving a Tesla. One part of our brain is extremely advanced (the prefrontal cortex) – this is the part that allows us to do all sorts of complex things other animals can’t,...
by PAL | Jul 1, 2025 | A Counselor
As the loved one of a person struggling with an addiction, it is so easy to stay focused on their recovery. Some pray to God over and over again to heal them, to make it stop, to give us wisdom on how to help them. And these are good things to do, we are looking for...
by PAL | Jun 1, 2025 | A Counselor
Last month, we explored The Drama Triangle, and learned how easy it is to get stuck in the drama and chaos that our addicted loved one creates in the midst of their illness. When we take on the roles of rescuer, persecutor, or victim, our behaviors, thoughts and...
by PAL | May 1, 2025 | A Counselor
“It’s like standing at the edge of a cliff, and they keep jumping off the cliff, and I keep pulling them up. No matter how many times I pull them back up or beg them not to jump, they just keep jumping. I know I need to let go of the rope,...
by PAL | Mar 31, 2025 | A Counselor
Last month, we discussed the fact that parents and loved ones can unintentionally create a barrier to healing because stigma can be so prevalent in the addiction world. Stigma, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is...
by PAL | Mar 1, 2025 | A Counselor
Part 1 Have you ever heard people say that an addicted person is really in denial about their problem? Well, I’m here to tell you that I don’t really believe that is usually the case. Sure, they may be denying that fact to you. This much I know to be true. I believe...