Denial and Enabling
Unfortunately the phenomenon of denial usually goes hand-in-hand with alcoholism. Find out about detachment with love from the alcoholic's problems and what you may have been doing to inadvertently enable the alcoholic's behavior.
Denial
One of the most frustrating factors in dealing with alcoholism, as a relative, friend or professional, is it is almost always accompanied by a phenomenon known as "denial."
One of the most frustrating factors in dealing with alcoholism, as a relative, friend or professional, is it is almost always accompanied by a phenomenon known as "denial."
Detachment
For friends and family of the alcoholic, the key to serenity is finding the wisdom to know the difference between what they can and cannot change.
For friends and family of the alcoholic, the key to serenity is finding the wisdom to know the difference between what they can and cannot change.
Enabling
From your About.com guide, many times when family and friends try to "help" alcoholics, they are actually making it easier for them to continue in the progression of the disease.
From your About.com guide, many times when family and friends try to "help" alcoholics, they are actually making it easier for them to continue in the progression of the disease.
Anger
Our words can easily trigger anger and rage in others. Divorce Support guide Patricia Gaudette discusses how to respond.
Our words can easily trigger anger and rage in others. Divorce Support guide Patricia Gaudette discusses how to respond.
Lessons on Emotional Detachment
Learn how to shrink your emotionally abusive relatives and friends down to a manageable size using detachment techniques. Practice, learn how to handle the rough stuff, and let go.
Learn how to shrink your emotionally abusive relatives and friends down to a manageable size using detachment techniques. Practice, learn how to handle the rough stuff, and let go.
Dry Drunk Syndrome
Unfortunately when many former drinkers go through the grieving process over the loss of their old friend, the bottle, some never get past the anger stage.
Unfortunately when many former drinkers go through the grieving process over the loss of their old friend, the bottle, some never get past the anger stage.
Millions of Americans in Denial
The 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicated that the number of Americans who could benefit from drug treatment was significantly larger than previously understood.
The 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicated that the number of Americans who could benefit from drug treatment was significantly larger than previously understood.
The Dilemma of 'Denial'
Mental Health Guide Leonard Holmes looks at the Catch-22 aspects of denying you are an alcoholic.
Mental Health Guide Leonard Holmes looks at the Catch-22 aspects of denying you are an alcoholic.
Obsessive Love
Patricia Gaudette, Divorce Support guide at About.com, has come up with a great collection of links dealing with addictive or obsessive relationships.
Patricia Gaudette, Divorce Support guide at About.com, has come up with a great collection of links dealing with addictive or obsessive relationships.
Controlling Anger
Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems.
Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems.
Are You an Enabler?
This online test can give you an indication of how much you may be enabling the alcoholic in your life.
This online test can give you an indication of how much you may be enabling the alcoholic in your life.
Excuses Alcoholics Make
Common stereotyped addictive defenses listed by Floyd P. Garrett, M.D. of Behavior Medicine Associates.
Common stereotyped addictive defenses listed by Floyd P. Garrett, M.D. of Behavior Medicine Associates.
Shame vs. Guilt
If shame and guilt are experienced at the same time we should respond first to shame since it is the most damaging.
If shame and guilt are experienced at the same time we should respond first to shame since it is the most damaging.
Spirit Versus Silence
When you are forced to grow up too fast, your emotions are developed ahead of your body. You are raised on an emotional overload.
When you are forced to grow up too fast, your emotions are developed ahead of your body. You are raised on an emotional overload.
The Enablers
Enabling is taking responsibility for the destructive behavior of other people so that they do not have to deal with the consequences. Here are some examples.
Enabling is taking responsibility for the destructive behavior of other people so that they do not have to deal with the consequences. Here are some examples.
The Power of Shame
Shame steps out of hiding and into sharper focus, a study from "The New York Times."
Shame steps out of hiding and into sharper focus, a study from "The New York Times."
Treatment Needed?
Recovery may be the growth industry of the 90's, but only 15 percent of addicted individuals will seek treatment this year.
Recovery may be the growth industry of the 90's, but only 15 percent of addicted individuals will seek treatment this year.
Understanding & Moving Through Denial
Denial and lying are two very different things, writes Dr. Charles Roper, author of the book, "High Bottom Drunk."
Denial and lying are two very different things, writes Dr. Charles Roper, author of the book, "High Bottom Drunk."
What if There was No Denial?
In treatment situations with people using substances, focusing on denial can make a bad situation even worse.
In treatment situations with people using substances, focusing on denial can make a bad situation even worse.
Why is Recovery So Hard?
The principal obstacles to making use of this information is pre-existing misinformation about addiction that is usually remarkably resistant to change.
The principal obstacles to making use of this information is pre-existing misinformation about addiction that is usually remarkably resistant to change.