In Recovery circles and groups we are often struck by the common use of ego defense mechanisms in negotiating social interactions. We have often queried why such a common use of these maladaptive means of regulating one’s emotions and one’s self, if you like, when interacting with others? […]
In Terms of Ego Defense Mechanisms This study (1) looked at the use of ego defense mechanisms in alcoholics and in addicts and found that alcoholics tend to use immature ego defense mechanism rather than the a mixture of immature and mature ego defense mechanisms addicts […]
Through various blog on this site we have suggested that trauma and adverse childhood experiences may have an effect on the ability of the brain to regulate emotion. We have even suggested that adverse childhood experiences and trauma may actually have a direct effect on the maturation […]
This is an appendum to yesterday’s blog – Ultimately, as this study (1) alludes to, there is a vital role for amygdaloid activity in both anxiety disorders and in alcoholism. It seems, however, to be suggesting that this amygdaloid hyperactivity is mainly prevalent in withdrawal and protracted abstinence. […]
Throughout this blogsite we have argued that addictive behaviours are rooted in inherent stress/emotion dysregulation and in emotion processing deficits such as alexithymia. These emotion processing deficits give rise to undifferentiated emotion states which are not utilised in reasonable prefrontal cortex based decision making but instead prompt more motoric […]
A Brief History of Treating Addiction as an Emotional Processing Disorder A constant thread throughout our blogs so far has been an assertion that alcoholism and addiction are primarily emotional regulation and processing disorders. So we were thus very interested to find this article (1) which describes […]
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 […]
The principles of the programme of Alcoholics Anonymous are scientific and closely follow all the helping therapies which lead people to emotional well-being.
Yesterday we looked a how low heart rate variability in alcoholics (active and in recovery) may influence self, emotion and stress regulation, and have a limited effect on impulsivity, and result in a “locked in” attention to alcohol-related cues, all of which have obvious consequences for relapse. Here […]
I remember when I was in the first days, weeks and months of early recovery I used to give myself such a hard time when my attention was drawn to some alcohol-related cue, like someone drinking ,or finding it difficult not dealing with some reminder of people places and […]
Engaging the unconscious in everyday life with Chuck Bender
BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
It started when I gave up smoking and went from there!
mostly poetry, partly peculiar.
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Practical Lessons for Everyday Life
This blog is about my journey towards a life grounded in balance, gratitude, creativity, and love.
Get your head on straight
The Courage To Shift is my Life Coach business that focuses on moving the client from victim, to VICTOR, regardless of their personal goals! Is there anything in life that you would like more of?
never judge a girl by her weight
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Ditching the drink and waking up
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Life, Sober
Inside The Alcoholic Brain 
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