AA: The Magic Of Bill Wilson

Jeff Witzeman, 11.17.2009

Having survived an acting career and the music business (Jeff Witzeman & The Jealous Housewives), Je ...

Many know Bill Wilson as the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, but few realize his brilliance as it relates to healing the human condition, alcoholic or not.

Dianne Schuler: When Denial Costs Lives

Dr. Tian Dayton, 11.10.2009

Clinical Psychologist and author

Denial is a dangerous thing, it can leave families shattered and broken, make perfectly good lives sail off track and in the case of Dianne Schuler, it can be the direct cause of eight deaths.

The Addict's Recovery Process - Steps In Rebuilding TRUST

Carole Bennett, 11.02.2009

For the majority of my adult life I have dealt with the torture of my family’s substance abuse.

An enormous part of your loved one's recovery process and progress is built around them starting to pull themselves up by their own boot straps.

Laughter Yoga? Can We Laugh Our Way To Fitness?

Dr. Tian Dayton, 11.05.2009

Clinical Psychologist and author

Humor has a way of sliding through the cracks, of reminding us that whatever is going on just isn't that important. It keeps things in perspective, provides relief, gets us to see things in new lights and yes, has tons of health benefits.

Artist Tim Burke Recycles Detroit History, And Rescues Himself (PHOTOS)

Diane Tucker, 10.19.2009

Writer/producer/director living in Washington DC

Detroiter Tim Burke calls himself an artist, a scavenger, and a non-practicing alcoholic. Devoted to the reuse of refuse, the 40-something sculptor us...

Adult Children of Alcoholics ACoAs: Qualities and Traits

Dr. Tian Dayton, 11.25.2009

Clinical Psychologist and author

It has long been clear to me that being an ACoA needs aggressive and long term treatment. Ignoring the damage only allows it to leak out in intimate relationships.

The Roller Coaster Relationship With An Alcoholic/Addict: When Do You Get Off the Ride?

Carole Bennett, 11.24.2009

For the majority of my adult life I have dealt with the torture of my family’s substance abuse.

I have compiled what I call The Pyramid of Change; 6 phases of the alcoholic/addict from the beginnings of irresponsible behavior to full blown wreckage.

Beginning Again

Terry Marotta, 11.22.2009

Boston-based Terry Marotta does books (both print and audio), commentaries for Public Radio, and a syndicated newspaper column. Go to her author site (www.terrymarotta.com ) and her blog Exit Only (www.terrymarotta.wordpress.com) for more.

This past week Bryan celebrated six years of sobriety and returned to Maine to begin the amends process with Paul.

Memoirs and Memory

Frank Bruni, 11.16.2009

Author of "Born Round: the Secret History of a Full-Time Eater"

With person after person I met on my book tour, I came to see that our memories aren't really patchy; they're patchworks, randomly retrieved bits and scraps that we weave together into something different.

Kanye West: Heartless Alcohol

Lorraine Roe, 11.15.2009

Author, creator of www.psychichousewives.com, former award-winning reporter

Maybe the MTV stage show will put some more attention on the ugliness of drinking too much and the healing aspects of good emotional and mental health.

Sorcerers and Wizards: Who's In Your Inner Circle?

Lorraine Roe, 11.08.2009

Author, creator of www.psychichousewives.com, former award-winning reporter

Why don't you pick up a book by Stephanie Meyer or Anne Rice, so you can read about vampires instead of having a relationship with one?

Intensity Is Not The Same Thing As Intimacy--For Addicts Or Anyone Else

Therese Borchard, 10.23.2009

Author of the blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet.com

I chase the adrenaline rush, the dopamine high, that is akin to the buzz I get from smoking an entire cigarette in three puffs after staying away from lung rockets for a year or more.

DJ AM's Friends & Family Use 12 Steps To Help Them Grieve: How The 12 Steps Can Help You Too

A Compulsive Overeater, 10.20.2009

After battling addiction for years, young DJ AM (aka Adam Goldstein) was found dead last week with OxyContin in his stomach and throat. He was working...

How Low Self-Esteem Can Lead To Substance Abuse

Carole Bennett, 09.29.2009

For the majority of my adult life I have dealt with the torture of my family’s substance abuse.

If low self-esteem has been part of a teenager's upbringing, they may see themselves as less than everyone else, deficient in one way or another.

Creating A False Self: Learning To Live A Lie

Dr. Tian Dayton, 09.26.2009

Clinical Psychologist and author

This false self is also sometimes seen as the "idealized self" or the self through which we operate because our true self just somewhere along the line (usually quite young) felt too weak, inadequate or overwhelmed to function and gain approval in the situation in which it finds itself.

Internet Addiction: How Big Is It?

Soren Gordhamer, 09.24.2009

Soren is the author of Wisdom 2.0 (HarperOne, 2009).

Internet addiction is upon us... how big is the problem?

Cutting Through the Narcissistic Ego: Step One is Awareness

Darren Littlejohn, 09.19.2009

Author of the 12-Step Buddhist, and a recovering addict.

We basically ask to speak to a certain voice and the participant puts on that hat. Some voices used typically have been The Controller, The Skeptic, The Protector, The Victim.

Information Addiction and Our Quest for Relevancy

Scott Lachut, 09.18.2009

Scott Lachut revels in the minutiae of everyday life, attempting to find beauty in the little details

This quest for what might be, creates a seemingly infinite feedback loop where consumption continuously renews the appetite.

The 21-Year-Old Drinking Age: I Voted for It; It Doesn't Work

Morris E. Chafetz, 09.18.2009

Founder, Health Education Foundation

It is time to liberate ourselves from the tyranny of "experts," who invoke "science" in order to advance a prohibitionist agenda. Prohibition does not work. It has never worked. It is not working among 18-20 year-olds now.

Narcissism, Key Ingredient in Success of Social Media

Val Brown, 09.18.2009

Marketing Consultant, Writer, Producer

We hear more about the new paradigm in human communication that social media has spawned than about the real driver in the phenomenal growth of these sites: basic human narcissism.

A Recovery Foundation Built on Sand

Michael Pento, 09.18.2009

Chief Economist for Delta Global Advisors

The Fed's conundrum is this: Bernanke needs to defend the dollar and raise interest rates to provide for a viable and long-lasting recovery. But the short-term effect would be a devastating recession.