Today, many “narcissist tests” exist that confirm the idea that someone you know (let’s face it, your ex) does indeed have a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The most official of the narcissism tests, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), is commonly used to determine if someone displays narcissistic behaviors. But is it possible to read this test …
Understanding CodependencyCodependency may be one of the most common yet widely misunderstood behaviors. In short, codependency means sacrificing your needs to meet the needs of someone else. But there is more to the story. An isolated act of self-sacrifice or kindness isn’t inherently codependent. Codependency isn’t a mental health diagnosis. Rather it is both a behavior …
If you’ve just learned that your ex has a narcissistic personality disorder, or you strongly suspect they do, you’re likely dealing with a lot of emotions. You might wonder how you could have ever dealt with someone so uncaring and what attracted you to someone like that in the first place. You might also wonder …
If My Ex is a Narcissist, What Does That Say About Me? Read More »
Sex addiction is perhaps not as familiar to most people as substance abuse disorders may be. Sex is a natural part of human behavior, and an interest in sex is completely healthy. Most of us are aware that people’s sexual appetites and proclivities vary on a wide spectrum. It isn’t always easy to recognize when these …
A codependent relationship is one in which one partner relies wholly upon the other to meet all of their emotional needs. It’s also a relationship where one partner suffers from some form of addiction, and the other partner enables that condition to continue. Either way you define it, a codependent relationship is not healthy for anyone involved. Often, …
Signs of Codependency: Why You Struggle So Hard in Relationships Read More »
It’s difficult to list exactly how addiction affects families. The repercussions spread outward like the rings from a pebble dropped in a pond. But experts have known for years that children who grow up in homes where drugs and alcohol are used often develop addictions, too. Sadly, even if these children do manage to skirt a …
How Addiction Affects Families: The Far-Reaching Effects of Substance Use Disorder Read More »
Addiction impacts the entire family system. The addict typically experiences feelings of despair, hopelessness, guilt, shame, loneliness, and worthlessness. The family also experiences similar feelings. Families may have increased anxiety, loss of their own identity, diminished work functioning, isolation, and an overall decrease in life satisfaction. Working with families while patients are in treatment is …
Working with Families While Patients are in Treatment Read More »
The effects of parent drug abuse on young children, ages 6 to 12 and younger, are detrimental and lasting. Young children with parents using drugs may experience traumas including abuse or neglect. They may see things that traumatize them or that are hard to understand. They may feel unloved, hurt and frightened. Traumatic events, neglect, …
Loving an addict can feel like you’re on a perpetual rollercoaster of emotions — anger, sadness, hate, love, fear, relief, guilt, disbelief — sometimes experiencing all within mere moments. It’s not surprising that research shows loved ones of addicted individuals suffer from increased stress, depression and poorer overall well-being. As much as our addicted loved …
Seven Ways to Help Yourself When You Love an Addict Read More »
Fighting addiction is challenging for everybody concerned, not just the individual with chemical dependency. Jim Sullivan has been that individual, and he shares his story in a recent article for Boston Herald, telling of the depths of his addiction and his recovery. The article was intended as something of a personal thank you to the …
