This story of a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years can give addicts insight into the requirements of healing. Her struggle sounds very similar to the progressive disease of addiction. She had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. When she heard of Jesus, she traveled to where he was and fought through the press to touch His garment. She said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole. And we know that she was. Like this woman, addicts have [...]
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My Broken Calculator
My Broken Calculator
I have a broken calculator. Whenever I push the number three, three never comes up on the screen, a random number is inserted in it’s place. If I use the three I never get the right answer. I know that I should just throw it away, but I really like this calculator and have learned to work around the broken three. I will multiply by six and divide by two or will add two plus one instead of adding a three. It is really a lot like our brain when denial is given a place. We can do calculations but [...]
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The very good Dr. Jeckyl and the awful Mr. Hyde
The very good Dr. Jeckyl and the awful Mr. Hyde
Addicts often see themselves as two people, the honorable and good Dr Jeckyl and the evil and wicked Mr Hyde. They can be baffled by the co-existance. Even on the inside, watching the drama play out, they do not understand how they can present two so diametrically opposed personalities. If it is hard for them, consider the plight of family. They admire, respect and love the good twin, they are often shocked, hurt, betrayed and embarrassed by the evil one. They often admit they have come to realize they do not know this person. For spouses it is especially difficult. [...]
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Values and Beliefs
Values and Beliefs
If you come to hold the belief that you are not important or good enough, that you are not worthy or deserving of good things, especially if you get to the “I am a piece of crap” belief, your subconscious and emotional center will expend a good deal of effort and energy trying to fulfill that prophecy. I had a client a few years ago that was a brilliant entrepreneur. He had an amazing sense for products that would be successful in the business world. He also held a profound feeling of self-hatred and self-disdain. Because of those dark feelings, [...]
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Coming Back from Childhood Sexual Abuse
Coming Back from Childhood Sexual Abuse
At the age of 12 I was molested by my Scoutmaster. He was also a family friend, a member of our church, and in my young eyes, the coolest guy in the world. You should have seen his 56 Chevy, and he let me drive it! And his 50 caliber pistol I got to shoot, and the movies he took me to, he had professional grade pedophile grooming skills. And he used them to do things to me that no one, young or old, should have to endure. I did not speak of it for nearly 40 years. I lead [...]
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The Six Lies That Will Keep You in Your Addiction
The Six Lies That Will Keep You in Your Addiction
I am surprised in my clinical practice how often I am helping people deal with the Six Big Lies of addiction. They appear across all the addictions and are part of the addiction repertoire whether the addict is medicating, recreational, or struggling with biological and cultural predisposition. They literally seem to work across all addictions and in all types of addicts. They do more to perpetuate addictive behavior than anything else I can think of. They are: It won’t hurt anything I will just have 0ne. You deserve this. I can handle this alone. No one will know. I don’t [...]
