Sex addiction and recovery: Thanks for Sharing

Here is a link to a really thoughtful piece/film review by Robert Weiss MSW on Thanks for Sharing. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3982933

The movie was released a few months ago and it stars big name actors. I didn't think twice about it but reading the review made me want to see it.

I am interested in addiction to sex even though it's outside my training and professional expertise, because it can and does overlap with other addictions. The movie is also about recovery and the culture (hence its title) of 12 step programs (AA being the grand daddy), an essential part of addiction treatment and maintainence of sobriety.

Couple of points the wise Mr. Weiss wrote stood out for me, and I am going to paraphrase them: he said alcohol, food, sex, drugs and the like are used to fill the "primitive need to self medicate." Also, he said treatment and recovery from any type of addictions does not happen in isolation. Human connection is a necessary ingredient in healing.

More on these two points in future blog entries. 

Again, here is the link: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3982933

Hazards of Molly

I recently wrote about the reappearance of MDMA or ecstasy as Molly. Despite it being touted as a casual and safe party drug, its hazardous potential cannot be underestimated. 

Case in point: Over the long Labor Day weekend, two young people died from ingesting Molly at an electronic music festival here in New York City. "Electronic music festival" is what used to be called a rave, just as Molly was called something else. As long as there are revelers, there will be chemicals that alter the mind.

Again, education is the best defense. 

Pills Are So Hip!

If AA isn't hip, pill-taking is, apparently.
The fashion designer Betsey Johnson for her upcoming fall fashion show in New York has designed invitations to look like prescription bottles filled with breath mints. 

Photo By George Chinsee

I am not sure how I feel about this. 
On the one hand, psycho-pharmacotherapy has helped countless people manage symptoms of mental illness. 
On the other hand, abuse and overprescribing have created unnecessary suffering
and deaths. 

Does it promote irresponsible drug taking? 
Or, should we accept that everyone is medicated and move on?

It seems this is yet another example of what some people do for fun (recreationally using anti-anxiety and narcotic drugs; taking Adderall or Ritalin to enhance mental functioning or just to stay awake to drink more) has the potential to be very harmful.

I hope there is a label on that "funny" invitation to warn people that medications need to be treated with caution.

More to come on psychostimulant abuse...

Blogging for Sobriety

I am a big proponent of journaling as a way to keep things honest between you and yourself. It's an invaluable tool that deepens self-awareness, whether or not you are in therapy.

And, there is blogging, not blogging as marketing, but personal blogging. It is a form of journaling, but it's not the lock-and-key, Dear Diary variety. Personal blogging is like keeping a journal that's meant to be read by whomever. It's personal and public at the same time.


It's therapeutic because making a declaration, which isn't exactly shouting, blogger reminds herself of who she is and what she aspires to become. It's writing for self-reflection and inviting others to witness the process, which CAN be an act of courage and commitment, or just a form of narcissism. It's much like "Hi, I am so and so, and I am an alcoholic" part of AA. 

Which brings me back to sober blogging. I like this blog very much for the reasons cited above and more. I hope it can inspire others to rethink their relationship to alcohol.

http://drunkydrunkgirl.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/inspiration-to-others/