Showing posts with label Gambling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gambling. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Recovery Is Sexy.com is For Sale

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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Dual Recovery Anonymous

Dual Recovery Anonymous is an independent, nonprofessional, twelve step, self-help fellowship organization for people with a dual diagnosis. Our goal is to help men and women who experience a dual illness. We are chemically dependent (alcoholic / addict) and we are also affected by an emotional or psychiatric illness. Both illnesses affect us in all areas of our lives; physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually.

The many terms of dual disorders

The term dual diagnosis is often used interchangeably with the terms co-morbidity, co-occurring illnesses, concurrent disorders, comorbid disorders, co-occurring disorder, dual disorder, and, double trouble. Professional literature has used a confusing array of terms and acronyms to describe co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis.

Many problems

Individuals who experience a dual diagnosis often face a wide range of psychosocial issues and may experience multiple interacting illnesses (more than two). The term "co-occurring disorders" is becoming a common term used to refer to dual diagnosis, or co-occurring substance abuse disorders and psychiatric or emotional illnesses.

Dual Recovery Anonymous defines "dual diagnosis" as meaning that an individual has two separate but very interrelated diagnoses:

  1. A psychiatric diagnosis
  2. A substance abuse diagnosis which may include both drugs and alcohol

An individual is in dual recovery when they are actively following a program that focuses on their recovery needs for both their chemical dependency and their psychiatric illness.

Our Second Tradition states that: "D.R.A. has two requirements for membership;

  1. a desire to stop using alcohol and other intoxicating drugs, and
  2. a desire to manage our emotional or psychiatric illness in a healthy and constructive way."

More at; Dual Recovery Anonymous

See also;

The Dual Disorders Recovery Book by Anonymous Anonymous
The Twelve Steps And Dual Disorders: A Framework Of Recovery For Those Of Us With Addiction & An Emotional Or Psychiatric Illness by Pat Samples
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Alcoholism, ACOA Top Posts

Many articles have proved very popular over the last few years. These are the most popular.

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Sunday, March 8, 2009

When Alcoholism Takes Over

I can never drink again. I am an alcoholic. Alcohol temporarily fills a hole inside me when I am feeling incomplete or unhappy. I have been sober for a few months, but could very easily get lost into it again if I were to re-indulge in that escape. Alcohol doesn’t fix my problems, but just temporarily numbs my conscious mind of acknowledging them. They will stay there. A fifth of vodka will only offer temporary relief.

Full story at Daily Nexus

See also;

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Friday, June 20, 2008

12 Rewards of Recovery

Twelve Step fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-anon, Cocaine Anonymous and others don’t just address the substance or overt behaviour. In progressing through the 12 Steps other benefits will be realized. These are know as the rewards of recovery. One example is;

THE TWELVE REWARDS OF SOBRIETY

By Searcy W., 55 years sober as at 2001 aged 90.

  • Faith instead of despair.

  • Courage instead of fear.

  • Hope instead of desperation.

  • Peace of mind instead of confusion.

  • Real friendships instead of loneliness.

  • Self-respect instead of self-contempt.

  • Self-confidence instead of helplessness.

  • A clean conscious instead of a sense of guilt.

  • The respect of others instead of their pity and contempt.

  • A clean pattern of living instead of a hopeless existence.

  • The love and understanding of our families instead of their doubts and fears.

  • The freedom of a happy life instead of the bondage of an alcoholic obsession.

See also;

First Year Sobriety: When All That Changes Is Everything

First Year Sobriety: When All That Changes Is Everything

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Wednesday, June 18, 2008

20 Questions for Gamblers

Gamblers Anonymous asks its new members to answer the following "20 Questions" in order to determine the severity of their gambling addiction:

  1. Have you ever lost time from work due to gambling?

  2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

  3. Has gambling affected your reputation?

  4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

  5. Have you ever gambled to get money to pay debts or solve financial difficulties?

  6. Has gambling ever caused a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

  7. After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible to win back your losses?

  8. After winning, do you have a strong urge to return and win more?

  9. Do you often gamble until you run out of money?

  10. Have you ever borrowed money to finance your gambling?

  11. Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling?

  12. Are you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?

  13. Does gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself and your family?

  14. Do you ever gamble longer than planned?

  15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?

  16. Have you ever committed or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling?

  17. Has gambling ever caused you to have difficulty sleeping?

  18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?

  19. Do you ever get the urge to celebrate any good fortune with a few hours of gambling?

  20. Have you ever considered self destruction as a result of your gambling?

If you answered "yes" to seven or more of these questions, you may have a gambling addiction problem.

See also;

Gambling Addiction: The Problem, the Pain and the Path to Recovery

Gambling Addiction: The Problem, the Pain and the Path to Recovery

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Saturday, June 14, 2008

Stress Affects Recovery

Alcoholics should avoid excessive physical and emotional stress during early abstinence.

Researchers have found that an important system (The HPA axis) of the body that regulates stress, hunger and illness is “stunned” during alcoholic drinking.

The researchers tested alcoholics in early recovery (less than 12 months) and found that the HPA axis recovers after about 8 weeks.

Any stress can trigger an abnormal response but moderate to extreme stress can be dangerous to abstinence and may trigger a relapse.

Reference; May 2007 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

Recovery Blogger's comments;

  • The most dangerous time for recovery from alcoholism is the first 3 months. Many do not stay sober in the first 3 months.

  • Some alcoholics have been known to exercise to extreme attempting to restore physical prowess and then wondered why.

  • Others have been known to attempt to restore money and work related problems by working long hours or several jobs. They too have found difficulty staying sober.

  • Still others have been known to try restoring family or marriage relationships too early and have found it very stressful or a threat to sobriety.

This research may explain why.

Alcoholics Anonymous advises;

’Easy Does It’

The slogan "Easy Does It" is one way we A.A.’s remind each other that many of us have tendencies at times to overdo things, to rush heedlessly along, impatient with anything that slows us down. We find it hard to relax and savor life.

When one of us is in a dither to get something done or get somewhere in a hurry, a friend may gently remonstrate, "’Easy Does It,’ remember?" Then there’s often a flash of annoyance at the adviser. And that indicates the advice must have hit home, wouldn’t you say?

Page 44 of Living Sober, AA Inc (1975)

See also;

Living Sober (#2150)

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Monday, June 2, 2008

25 Top Posts for May 08

          Cool Water: Alcoholism, Mindfulness, and Ordinary Recovery
by William Alexander

Read more about this title...
          The Recovery Book
by Arlene Eisenberg, Howard Eisenberg, Al J. Mooney

Read more about this title...
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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

6 Gamblers

1 - Professional gamblers make their living by gambling and thus consider it a profession. They are skilled in the games they choose to play and are able to control both the amount of money and time spent gambling. Thus, professional gamblers are not addicted to gambling. They patiently wait for the best bet and then try to win as much as they can.

2 - In contrast to professional gamblers, antisocial or personality gamblers use gambling as a way to get money by illegal means. They are likely to be involved in fixing horse or dog races, or playing with loaded dice or marked cards. They may attempt to use a compulsive gambling diagnosis as a legal defence.

3 - Casual social gamblers gamble for recreation, sociability and entertainment. For them, gambling may be a distraction or a form of relaxation. Gambling does not interfere with family, social or vocational obligations. Examples of such betting are the occasional poker game, Super Bowl bets, a yearly trip to Las Vegas and casual involvement in the lottery.

4 - In contrast, serious social gamblers invest more of their time in gambling. Gambling is a major source of relaxation and entertainment, yet these individuals place gambling second in importance to family and vocation. This type of gambler could be compared to a "golf nut," whose source of relaxation comes from playing golf. Serious social gamblers still maintain control over their gambling activities.

5 - The fifth type, relief and escape gamblers, gamble to find relief from feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, boredom or loneliness. They use gambling to escape from crisis or difficulties. Gambling provides an analgesic effect rather than a euphoric response. Relief and escape gamblers are not compulsive gamblers. They are identical to relief and escape drinkers.

6 - Compulsive gamblers have lost control over their gambling. For them, gambling is the most important thing in their lives. Compulsive gambling is a progressive addiction that harms every aspect of the gambler’s life. As they continue to gamble, their families, friends and employers are negatively affected. In addition, compulsive gamblers may engage in activities ­ such as stealing, lying or embezzling ­ which go against their moral standards. Compulsive gamblers cannot stop gambling, no matter how much they want to or how hard they try.

By Robert L. Custer, M.D.

See also;

Don't Leave It to Chance: A Guide for Families of Problem Gamblers A Way to Quit Gambling: (For Problem Gamblers)

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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Sober Companions

Everyday people in recovery often turn to support groups or an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) sponsor when they face a possible relapse, but some celebrities and other wealthy addicts are turning to paid "sober companions" to help maintain their sobriety, the New York Times reported April 15.

Sober companions like Ronnie Kaplan, a former addict and ex-con, can earn fees of up to $1,000 per day for their services. "I get there and I sit him down and relax his mind," Kaplan said of his interaction with one wealthy client. "I ask him ’What brought this on?’ It’s always something." Kaplan said he will even search the client’s home for drugs if he thinks it is warranted.

Some sober companions become part of a celebrity’s entourage, like a personal trainer or life coach. But demand for their services is increasingly coming from outside the entertainment business, including CEOs in recovery.

"Anybody who’s returning to their life after rehab needs added structure and support in that transitioning phase," said Nanette Zumwalt, owner of Hired Power, a California company that employs 70 sober companions in 15 states.

Ron Hunsicker, president of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, said the recent growth in high-end treatment programs has helped feed the growth of the sober-companion profession. Patients discharged from exclusive treatment programs often are referred to sober companions who help with discharge plans and followup care. "It’s another option, particularly for high risk, relapse people," said Hunsicker.

Robert Tyler, president of the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, said sober companions can help people in recovery but added, "There’s no regulation, no accountability." And at least one client says that the role of sober companions should be limited. "I don’t think you need a sober companion for six months," said the client, a lawyer from Boston who spent $650 per day for a sober companion who stayed with her for four days after she left a Utah treatment program. "You have to take responsibility for your own recovery."

From; Join Together Online

See also;

The Miracle of Sponsorship: Recovery Stories of Hope and Renewal (Carry the Message)

The Miracle of Sponsorship: Recovery Stories of Hope and Renewal (Carry the Message)

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Monday, April 14, 2008

Top Posts for March 2008

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Saturday, April 5, 2008

Beat Gambling Addiction

How can I overcome my addiction to gambling?

If you are grappling with this addiction, seek professional treatment. Once you admit and address the problem, other pieces of your life will fall back into place.

According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment for compulsive gambling is similar to therapies for other forms of addiction. Your doctor or mental health professional may use these approaches:

Psychotherapy in the form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on identifying unhealthy, irrational and negative beliefs and having you replace them with healthy, positive ones.

Group therapy that enables an addict to tap into the advice, feedback and support from other people on how to deal with a gambling addiction.

Gamblers Anonymous provides self-help peer support and a 12-step program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. For people who are uncertain whether they have a gambling problem, Gamblers Anonymous publishes a list of 20 questions as a screening tool and provides a list of local chapters.

Residential treatment programs organized and staffed to provide both general and specialized non-hospital-based interdisciplinary services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residential treatment programs provide environments in which assistance is provided by personnel trained in the delivery of services for those with behavioral health disorders or related problems.

Inpatient treatment programs providing coordinated and integrated services in hospital settings. Inpatient treatment is provided 24 hours, 7 days a week, and there are daily therapeutic activities in which patients participate. The goal of inpatient treatment is to provide a protective environment that includes medical stabilization, support, treatment for psychiatric or addictive disorders, and supervision.

Counseling by a Certified Gambling Counselor who has completed a specific course of study in problem gambling treatment and has been certified by either:

A national accreditation organization (National Gambling Counselor Certification Board-NCGC; American Gambling Counselor Certification Board-CCGC; or American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders-CAS); OR

A state certification organization that requires a minimum of 30 hours of problem gambling specific training and a period of direct (supervisor personal contact) supervision related to treating addicted gambler.

Crisis stabilization is very important at the beginning of treatment, because pathological gamblers have a much higher suicide rate than persons addicted to other substances or activities. Therefore, loved ones should be especially aware of the desperation phase of the disease, and monitor the gambler closely.

Compulsive gamblers often have other addictions simultaneously, such as drug and alcohol abuse, compulsive shopping and bulimia. The addictive gambler may be harder to treat than someone with only one addiction, because he or she may “switch addictions” and therefore leave the addictive personality traits untreated.

See also;

          Gambling Addiction: The Problem, the Pain and the Path to Recovery
by John M. Eades

Read more about this title...
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

ANGER MANAGEMENT

Anger can be a very real problem for people in recovery from codependency, addiction, alcoholism or compulsive gambling.

Anger is a word we apply to a wide range of feelings. . .

  • Anger can be as simple as a minor irritation.
  • We frequently feel angry when we’re frustrated or when our plans are thwarted.
  • Annoyances may be barely noticeable at first, but if annoyances continue, they can generate considerable wrath.
  • We feel a form of anger when we’re disappointed and let down--most often it takes the form of resentment.
  • When we’re angry, but don’t want to make a deal of it, we use a euphemism, "I’m really teed-off."

Anger is frequently a response to being hurt or suffering loss. Even so, we may not recognize it as such. For example, if someone says, "I never get angry," they may really not know how to recognize their anger. or they are very much aware of their anger and want to deny it, because they’ve been taught that these kinds of feelings are socially unacceptable, bad, or wicked.

Sometimes people want to deny their anger because they fear it--they fear that they’ll unleash a torrent of rage, go completely out of control, cause some kind of irreparable harm.

It is important to recognize the feeling of anger because anger is a natural emotion. It’s normal to feel angry at times. Anger becomes problematic when, on the one hand we pretend it doesn’t exist, or on the other hand we use or anger to manipulate and intimidate others.

There are two steps in understanding anger:

  1. First, get to know your own anger better--in all its varieties. Se how it affects you, how your breath quickens and your pulse pounds. Feel the flush of blood to your face and the tension in your hands, legs, neck and stomach. Notice how your facial muscles change, get a good look at yourself.
  2. Learn to direct your anger in an appropriate way to the appropriate people.

Expressing anger is a natural, healthy response and is necessary to keep oneself healthy and in balance. Sometimes feeling angry can be unpleasant. . .To hold anger back and dwell on it adds to the hurt that caused it.

There is a difference between a person who releases appropriate anger when injured and a person who seems to be chronically angry and venting most of the time. A chronically angry and bitter person often feels short changed in life and blames others for his problems. This is using anger as a defense and a rationalization for blaming others.

This is not healthy or appropriate anger. Specificity is a good measure of appropriate anger. It is tied to an event or situation that can be specifically described.

Assertive behavior prevents aggressive behavior. Assertive behavior protects one’s rights and feelings, whereas aggression attacks someone else’s rights and feelings.

See also;

Adapted from "Learning to Love Yourself: Finding Your Self-Worth" by Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse; Health Communications, Inc., 1987.

Learning to Love Yourself

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