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The Many Faces of Addiction

The journey to healing and recovery

Addiction
Addictive Families Part 4

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on February 5, 2013

Children do whatever they possibly can to bring stability and consistency into their lives. They will behave in any manner if it makes it easier for them to cope and survive.

Children do whatever they possibly can to bring stability and consistency into their lives. They will behave in any manner if it makes it easier for them to cope and survive.

Addiction
Addictive Families: Part 3

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on January 24, 2013

In many families, the rule of silence is a quiet collusion. Many children feel they are betraying their parents and their family if they talk honestly.

In many families, the rule of silence is a quiet collusion. Many children feel they are betraying their parents and their family if they talk honestly.

Depression
Addictive Families Part 2

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on January 9, 2013

It is about this time, when a young person reaches the mid-twenties that the effects of growing up in an addictive home become apparent. These now adult children begin to experience a sense of loneliness, that doesn’t make sense to them. They become aware of feelings, that separate them from others and often may find themselves depressed.

It is about this time, when a young person reaches the mid-twenties that the effects of growing up in an addictive home become apparent. These now adult children begin to experience a sense of loneliness, that doesn’t make sense to them. They become aware of feelings, that separate them from others and often may find themselves depressed.

Trust
Addictive Families

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on January 8, 2013

a young boy who is learning how not to openly talk about what is happening in his life that is so painful, how to shut down his feelings and how not to trust others

a young boy who is learning how not to openly talk about what is happening in his life that is so painful, how to shut down his feelings and how not to trust others

Sex
Intimate Treason

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on October 1, 2012

One woman's life is painful not just because of what she has discovered about her boyfriend’s sexual acting out, but due to her own behavior.

One woman's life is painful not just because of what she has discovered about her boyfriend’s sexual acting out, but due to her own behavior.

Intimate Treason
Trauma
Intimate Treason

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on September 19, 2012

To be in a relationship with your perceptions invalidated, your feelings not listened to, and honesty and respect thrown out the window are just some of the many ways that partners are traumatized.

To be in a relationship with your perceptions invalidated, your feelings not listened to, and honesty and respect thrown out the window are just some of the many ways that partners are traumatized.

Trauma
Addictive Disorders

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on September 19, 2012

At times of trauma, the natural response is to run. With situational traumas, we picture people running toward home or family. The question is, “Where do you go when the trauma is in your home?”

At times of trauma, the natural response is to run. With situational traumas, we picture people running toward home or family. The question is, “Where do you go when the trauma is in your home?”

Addiction
Biology of Caring

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on November 22, 2010

The brain is wired to react empathetically to someone in pain in order to warn others of danger and elicit help.

The brain is wired to react empathetically to someone in pain in order to warn others of danger and elicit help.

Persuasion
Under the Influence: Kids of Alcoholics

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on November 12, 2010

It's a good feeling to know you can rely on your mom or dad - someone who's in control when things start to feel out of control. But some kids don't know that feeling. The reason: They have a parent who's not in control. And that parent is not in control because he or she is an alcoholic.

It's a good feeling to know you can rely on your mom or dad - someone who's in control when things start to feel out of control. But some kids don't know that feeling. The reason: They have a parent who's not in control. And that parent is not in control because he or she is an alcoholic.

Anger
The Emotional Injury of Distorted Boundaries

Claudia Black M.S.W., Ph.D. on June 21, 2010

 We must understand that our abandonment experiences and boundary violations were in no way indictment of our innate goodness and value.

 We must understand that our abandonment experiences and boundary violations were in no way indictment of our innate goodness and value.