Newsletters
Trauma, Addiction and Mood: Self-Regulation For Recovery, 14.01.13
A favourite saying in 12-Step fellowships is: “It’s a simple program for complicated people.” To be human is to be complex, but that complexity can make addiction seem like a labyrinthine problem, both for the addicted person and for others seeking to help. Trauma, too, is a complex condition...
The Lure of the Net: The Impact of Internet Addiction, 14.05.12
Can one really be addicted to the Internet? Historically, ‘addiction’ has been defined with regard solely to psychoactive substances such as alcohol and drugs. Yet certain behaviours began to be researched and were seen to be just as mood altering and could mimic the same symptoms as substance related disorders.
‘Shop Until You Drop?’ When Retail Therapy Gets Out of Control, 15.12.11
“I've spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!”
~ Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City
This is just one of a myriad of shopping anecdotes from television, movies and books that portray the funny adventures of ‘shopaholics’, depicting the trouble women fall prey to when trying to get the latest pair of Manolo Blahniks.
How to Regulate Intense Emotions- Through Grounding, Presence, & the Power of Choice, 24.06.11
Wanda snapped her cell phone shut, her heart racing. Mom could push every one of her buttons in seconds.
Helping an Employee with an Addiction - Can be an Organization’s Greatest Health and Wellness Achievement, 14.12.10
Over the past few years, there has been a shift in what defines a successful organization. No longer is the balance sheet the main indicator. Now, healthy workplaces and quality health and wellness programs are one of the most important measurements of successful organizations.
Online Video Gaming: When Virtual Life Takes Over, 30.04.10
The image is not an uncommon one, an adolescent boy hunched over his computer in the middle of the night, his room in disarray, pale, and dishevelled, eyes red after staring at his computer screen for the past 10 hours. He had spent all this time in the world of Azeroth, battling orcs and trolls with his guild. This was his fantasy world, and it demonstrates the power of online video game addiction , an emerging problem that has been receiving attention in the media and the mental health field.
Dangers of Energy Drinks- Not a Safe Mix for Addiction Recovery, 15.12.09
A recent study conducted by Kathleen Miller at the University of Buffalo's Research Institute looked at the behaviours of 795 college students. Of the 795 students, 39 per cent reported that they used energy drinks at least once a month. The study results also revealed that energy drink consumption was correlated with risky behaviours such as substance use and unsafe sexual activity.
Special 25th Anniversary Newsletter, 01.06.09
Looking Back 25 Years: Some Things Change, Others Remain the Same
The last place in the world where John expected to be walking was under a blue awning with "Bellwood" written on it. John's drinking was causing him problems at home and his marriage was on shaky ground. His business was going downhill and he realized that if he didn't do something, he could lose it all.
What's On Your List For The Holidays?, 01.12.08
Another year will soon have passed. Even though we are still enjoying the special feelings of Autumn, preparation for the coming holiday season has already begun for many people. The season that is intended to be full of joy and and expectations can be a season of stress and discord for individuals and families struggling with the consequences of an addiction.
Codependency in the Workplace - Asserting Yourself Can Make All the Difference, 01.06.08
What is codependency? What does it mean and how does this apply to the workplace?
