May 31, 2015

Cognitive Distortions

alcoholicsguide's avatarInside The Alcoholic Brain

We have a new page!

This page will look at the myriad of cognitive distortions and preservative (and deluded) thinking that appears to be part of the condition of many different addictive behaviours.

So far in this blog we have looked at how altered stress systems effect emotion processing and regulation and how this results in the increasingly compulsive need to use substances and behaviours to regulate subsequent negative emotions and affect.

Now we will be looking at the third strata of this disorder of addictive behaviour, that of distorted preservative thinking. Perseverative thinking is when someone gets an idea or thoughts in their head and just can’t get them out.

It is commonly shared in 12 step meeting show we have a problem with our thinking and hence our decision making. We find this to be true for us also.

Some addictive behaviours have their own specific cognitive distortions…

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May 31, 2015

Things Change

Self Help Survival's avatarSelf Help Survival

quotes-about-change

Change:

  • “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future” – John F. Kennedy
  • “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything” – George Bernard 
  • “If there is no struggle, there is no progress” – Frederick Douglas
  • “Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality” – Nikos Kanzantzakis
  • “If you don’t change direction, you may end up where you are heading” – Lao Tzu

Everyday, life changes, whether we accept those changes / events or not.  Yesterday, I caught myself saying “if something didn’t go wrong, it just wouldn’t be an ordinary day”.  I continued to think “it’s always something” and “I can’t have a day where something bad doesn’t happen”.  Those are some of the most selfish statements I could make with the magnitude of my…

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May 31, 2015

Co-morbidities

alcoholicsguide's avatarInside The Alcoholic Brain

Another new Page! 

This page will be dedicated to addressing the co-occurrence of  other psychiatric conditions with addiction and addictive behaviours.

For example, conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and major depression are said to frequently co-occur with addictive disorders.

This page will be addressing how frequently these disorders actually co-occur with addiction, or whether their influence has been overstated.

How they should be treated, whether treatment for addiction can help with these disorders too or whether they should be treated separately and importantly whether these so-called co-morbid conditions are tributaries which feed into the overall disorder of addiction?

In other words, when we receive treatment specifically for addictive behaviours are we also treating the conditions which have canalized into addiction.

If so does medication help or hinder sobriety and recovery, especially if prescribed based on a misdiagnosis of addictive disorder showing as an affective…

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May 28, 2015

Self Sustainability

HRP Elements 3

Nature combines the elements of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind to create beauty and abundance in a self sustaining bio diverse way. Through exposure to light and air growth occurs.

Humans thrive in a similar fashion! Through accessing and using innate resources combined with breath and light, growth and contribution will manifest. When an individual chooses to live in a healthy self sustaining way resources are built, not burned. Wake up! Revive from unconscious living and reclaim who you are, full purpose, and deep meaning.

Be your true self, “the world needs you”. Human diversity is necessary for the self sustainability of humanity. The sacred tree of life will grow and nurture all, as we live in a more symbiotic manner.

Reclaim Yourself and Revive Your Life!
As we revive mother earth and return natural bio-diversity to the land, the work and intent also touches and revives the “Soul” of everyone involved.

The Human Revival Project is about making the simple things in life sacred.

The Human Revival Project is about communion with the land and the Creator, while reclaiming, creating, and supporting natural balance in our selves and in our lives.

It is time to “REVIVE” who we really are and start living authentically.

Get your VIVE* back! (*Life & Vibe)

Join our project. Join our mission.

Kevin at http://www.retreatatzion.com

May 26, 2015

An apt and accurate illustration of the professional regulation of medicine in 2015 via Mel Brooks History of the World Part 1

mllangan1's avatarDisrupted Physician

goodtobeking It’s good to be the king!

Count De Monet: I have come on the most urgent of business. It is said that the people are revolting!
King Louis: You said it; they stink on ice.

countdemonet_thumb Count de Monet: Gerald! Gerald: Count da Money! Count de Monet: de Monet… Monet! Say it! Monet! Gerald and Count de Monet: Moonnet, Moonnet, Moonnet Gerald, Count de Monet, Bearnaise: Mooonnnet! Count de Monet: Perfect, don’t forget! Give it to me again! Monet. Gerald and Bernaise: Monet.

Impoverished Paris Street Merchant: Rats, rats for sale. Get your rats. Good for rat stew, rat soup, rat pies, or the ever-popular ratatouille.

Other Street Merchant: Nothing, I have absolutely nothing for sale!
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May 26, 2015

Life In Recovery – Australia, USA and the UK

alcoholicsguide's avatarInside The Alcoholic Brain

“Recovery introduced me to myself. The hardest but most rewarding journey I have ever undertaken.”

“Recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is now widely recognised as a journey that takes place over time and in a multitude of ways that reflect personal circumstances, supports and resources.”

interior

The Australian Life in Recovery Survey, conducted by Professor David Best of Sheffield Hallam University and Turning Point in partnership with South Pacific Private, is the largest survey of its kind in Australia.

This survey provides an important first glimpse into the lives of people in recovery through comparisons of key domains of life and wellbeing during active addiction and after seeking recovery.

Additionally, comparisons are drawn to the U.S. version of the survey sponsored by Faces & Voices of Recovery. Just click image blow for the findings.

The first ever survey in the UK into Life in Recovery is also in…

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March 9, 2015

The Sacred Path

Our “SACRED JOURNEY” – Is A Holistic (Soulistic) experience of reclamation and transformation that starts with integration of all parts of ourselves into our complete and whole soul. This approach creates ultimate health of “Heart, Mind, Body & Spirit. Taking Actions, Developing Skills, and Harnessing Mental Processes that “Make A Real Difference” in our behavior and lives. When we are congruent and honor who we truly are we own and see our highest self and align with inner wisdom to be that person one step at a time.

This is a process that can bring “Clarity” and Courage to:

  • “Realize” – Where you’re at
  • “Visualize” – What you really want
  • “Strategize” – How to create change to get there
  • “Actualize” – Your plan, step by step for better results
  1. Start with the (physical), Cellular Balance builds a foundation for complete Body Balance.
  2. This physical balance leads the way for total Inner Balance (integrating emotional, mental and spiritual health with that of the body).
  3. All this allows the optimum Life Balance you seek.

Continued treatments using complementary and alternative modalities along with the best current medical support will reinforce a permanent chemical change in mind and body and will allow the electrical synapse system of the MindBody to rewire itself back to healthy patterns and the natural energy flow to heal and return us to our natural adaptability and flexibility.

Healing on a cellular level allows you the opportunity to take back your health, wellness and fitness. It will require a lot of hard work to change daily behavior patterns to those that will support continued healing, recovery, and optimum health to return. We need to include the following in our daily actions and activities.

  • Proper Nutrition, Rest, and Sleep
  • Exercise
  • Healthy activities and recreation
  • Self Care
  • 12 step meetings
  • Therapy
  • Creativity and Grounding Activities
  • Prayer and Meditation
  • Service and connection
  • & of course “Continued Abstinence” from what enslaved you!

These valuable investments of time and energy into ourselves will support the journey from Cellular Health and Balance to Physical Health and Balance. From Physical Health to adding complete inner balance and (Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual Health) for a Whole and Balanced Soul. Once we achieve this inner balance, peace and wholeness our higher path will lead to a life balance filed with the joy, love, meaning and the fulfillment we desire. With growth and contribution comes contentment and love.

February 23, 2015

Ending the Silence

southbaynami's avatarNAMI South Bay

Helping middle and high schoolers understand mental illness makes a big difference. We can teach them about the warning signs for themselves and their friends. NAMI Ending the Silence helps raise awareness and change perceptions around mental health conditions.

Through this free classroom presentation, students get to see the reality of living with a mental health condition. During the 50-minute presentation, a young adult living with mental illness and a family member tell their stories about mental health challenges, including what hurt and what helped.

Why Ending the Silence Matters

  • 1 in 5 kids experiences a mental health condition; only 20% of them actually get help
  • About 50% of students ages 14+ with a mental health condition will drop out of school
  • Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds
  • The earlier the better: early identification and intervention provides better outcomes

What Your Students Get

Moving stories from…

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