Recently there has been a steep rise in the amount of gambling advertisements on all types of media. While many claim not to be “gambling” sites (not exactly sure how they’re able to justify this; even if no actual money is being transmitted the randomness of the games is gambling for our brains) and all […]
What Makes Gambling So Addictive? Read More »
I wish I could say I had not been touched by grief and loss but, of course, I am a human being and have been. Some of the most poignant losses in my life were those who died by suicide. With someone who dies of natural causes or disease, there can be regret when looking
Dealing with Grief and Death by Suicide Resources Read More »
Having intense emotions when navigating life is understandable and human. However, not everyone knows what to do with these big emotions and how to navigate them in a healthy way. In fact, not learning how to work with big feelings can lead to problems with substance use and problem behaviour, as people turn to these
Using Bilateral Stimulation to Deal with Big Emotions Read More »
Mental health and addiction recovery are so important for overall quality of life for many people, yet can seem like a quagmire when it comes to the options available to help you get there. As a practical and realistic person, I think it is helpful to sometimes pull things down to the basics and start
The Importance of Making the Bed Read More »
What is codependency? Historically, someone who struggled with codependency was caretaking a loved one with severe illness and/or Addiction. They focus all time, energy, and resources on that loved one and leave little to no energy for themselves. Today, this understanding of codependency can be expanded to anyone who struggles with a dependence or over-reliance
5 Steps to Healing from Codependency Read More »
Things can and have gotten pretty ugly in the world and the news, of course, is all over their constant reporting of this. It’s impossible to escape from. With the advent of the 24 hour news cycle and the growth of the internet, there is a plethora of sites and resources and information that is
Coping with the Ugly News Read More »
Tradition. Something that is so revered and encouraged to be upheld in society. But when does tradition morph into unhealthy habits, poor boundaries, enmeshment, and dysfunction? It can be difficult to see the difference between the two, especially at times of year that promote habit and tradition, like the holiday season. If you are celebrating
Doing the Holidays Different Read More »
For people who recognize having Addiction or problematic relationship(s) with people, places, or things, the holidays come with a unique set of challenges to navigate through. Many people get annoyed by their obnoxious uncle who won’t stop talking about politics or holiday music that starts playing in public spaces right after Halloween, but for some
The Holidays in Recovery Read More »
People can be so diligent about their boundary and intention setting during the year, yet a lot of that work seems to take a back seat during the holiday season. Boundaries are replaced by the automatic patterns of people-pleasing, image management, appeasement, obligation, expectation, and shoulds. (As a quick tip, none of the latter are
Boundaries During the Holidays by Paige Abbott, Registered Psychologist Read More »
Shame tells us that we are not worthy nor good enough. Shame can fuel unhealthy relationships with substances or behaviours as it can be so uncomfortable that the brain feels it has no choice but to seek escape and relief from it. Many people are aware of shame in their lives and exploring how to
Where Shame Comes From Read More »
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