Kellevision

Intervention

Can you be addicted to a show about addiction?

When one member of the family changes...

For the first post of the new year I would like to address "change".  This is a time when people often make New Year's resolutions to change behaviors they dislike.  It is important to realize the effects those changes may have on your family interactions. 

Staying Sane During the Holidays

Though the holidays are supposed to be a time for family, for celebrating and for taking a break from work, they can sometimes have the opposite effect.  Old family battles can be resurrected, celebrations can become calamities and the rest we hoped to get dissolves into a flurry of shopping, planning, packing and partying.   Maintaining your own peace of mind during the holiday season can be especially challenging.  Here are some ideas to reduce your holiday stressors:

Alcoholics vs. Teetotalers: Who Lives Longer?

Alcoholics.  A recent article in Time reports that heavy drinkers live longer than nondrinkers.  Moderate drinkers faired the best.  But the finding that heavy drinkers came in second - above teetotalers - stunned many. 

The Prostitute in the Alley

I work in a homeless shelter so I see a lot of street people.  While leaving the building the other day I overheard two coworkers derogatorily discussing a well known prostitute who was in the alley.  It made me sad.  If only they knew.

Most prostitutes I've worked with have had a long history of sexual abuse, often starting in early childhood.  They were trained as children that they were on this Earth to provide sexual favors to whoever asked.  And they carried this into adulthood.  Drugs and alcohol are often involved to numb the emotional pain of the early sexual abuse.  Many attribute prostition to drug or alcohol abuse, but the sexual abuse often preceded the addiction.  The person continues to use alcohol and/or drugs to numb the pain to the continued sexual abuse as an adult.  So when I see a prostitute, male or female, this is what I think of.  They should not be a subject of scorn, but of empathy.

 

 

 

Psychiatric Medications as a "Crutch"

Throughout the years I have worked with several clients who were criticized or rebuked by family members or Alcoholics Anonymous sponsors for using psychiatric medications as a "crutch".  Yes.... and?

Alcoholics Anonymous and Psychiatric Medications

Throughout the years I've agonized when working with dual diagnosis clients who attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or any of their sister programs.  Too often there are well-meaning people in the groups who take it upon themselves to give psychological or medical advice.  All too often, this results in tremendous damage.   One of the major offenders is the idea that any member of AA, CA or NA who is taking psychiatric medications is not "clean and sober".  Not only is this bad advice it's not the official policy of AA.

Take Two Yoga Classes and Call me in the Morning

I'm reading the August 2009 edition (yes I am a little bit behind in my reading) of Yoga Journal and I am reminded once again of all the benefits yoga has to offer in one's struggle for peace of mind and mental health.

Relationship Patterns

If you find yourself making the same mistakes over and over you might want to look at your relationship patterns.

Military Structure and the Chaotic Family

Working in a homeless shelter, I work with a lot of clients who came from very dysfunctional and chaotic family systems.  One man grew up in such a family and overcame it by joining the military.  How did that help?