Self Help Guidance
Self Help and Addiction Recovery Overview
Typically when people seek a form of self help they are suffering directly from their own addiction, or indirectly from someone else's affliction. One of the fundamental myths about addiction is that someone else has them, not you; which could be called the "Not me." syndrome. Of course, denial is addictions best friend. In the late 1800's - early 1900's the first major collective acknowledgement of addiction was that of alcohol. Today, the word, 'alcoholism' is recognized globally. That understanding allowed further breakthroughs into the fact that virtually anything can become an addiction. For example: drugs, food, shopping, sex, spending, gambling, to name a few. We can even become addicted to people, religion, and pets as described in codependency addiction.
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In short, most everyone to some degree acts out (symptoms) of their (primary addiction) which is a core wound of unworthiness that is shame and guilt based. ALL addictions are in attempt to avoid, control, or cling to feelings. Healing core wounds are paramount to recovery and spiritual awakening.
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We highly recommend reviewing this Addiction and Symptoms Flowchart to better understand the difference between symptoms and the underlying primary addiction which is thinking based. (The flowchart opens in google docs as a printable PDF.)
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NOTE: Trauma and PTSD: We have included the following link about trauma and PTSD since to some degree, every person can relate to the information at this website: Healing Trauma This website offers some of the most detailed insights about trauma and offers several techniques to alleviate symptoms and overcome many types of trauma based suffering. Check it out! Also, here is a list of techniques to assist with traumatic responses and flashbacks: See the list here.
Addiction, Recovery, and Support Groups Directory
Adult Children of Alcoholism or Dysfunctional Families
Do you still suffer from childhood trauma, shame, guilt, anger, rage, etc? And, have no where to share your feelings in a safe environment? This support group is specifically for those who endured severe neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, or sexual abuse during childhood. Although this program originated from the issues associated with alcoholism, it greatly acknowledges that dysfunction can be present with or without chemical dependency issues.
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Healing for those who have been hurt, disappointed, or abused by Religion or the Religious. Have you ever visited a religious institution and come away feeling guilty, judged or condemned? If so, you’re not alone. Many people at one time or another experience abuse from religious leaders or organizations. For most people, there seems to be no safe place to release their pain. And, how do we recover from the abuse? Religious Recovery meets those needs. Imagine gathering for an hour in a safe environment—free from judgment and condemnation—to discuss your hurts, concerns, and fears.
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Alcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid fellowship founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio. AA's stated "primary purpose" is to "stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety". (Wikipedia)
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Al-Anon Family Groups Anonymous
Al-Anon/Alateen, Al-Anon Family Groups and Al-Anon are different names for a "worldwide fellowship that offers a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics, whether or not the alcoholic is still drinking... (Wikipedia)
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A fellowship of Men and Women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so they may overcome their sexual addiction and help others recover from sexual addiction and dependency issues.
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Sex and Love Addicts Addicts Anonymous
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous is a twelve-step program for people recovering from sex addiction and love addiction. SLAA was founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1976, by a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. (Wikipedia)
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Co-Dependents Anonymous is a twelve-step program for people who share a common desire to develop functional and healthy relationships. (Wikipedia)
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Overeaters Anonymous is a twelve-step program for people with problems related to food including, but not limited to, compulsive overeaters, those with binge eating disorder, bulimics and anorexics. Wikipedia No matter what your problem with food — compulsive overeating, under-eating, food addiction, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or overexercising — we have a solution.
Narcotics Anonymous describes itself as a "nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem". Wikipedia
Cocaine Anonymous is a twelve-step program for people who seek recovery from drug addiction. CA is patterned very closely after Alcoholics Anonymous, although the two groups are unaffiliated. (Wikipedia)
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Gamblers Anonymous is a twelve-step program for people who have a gambling problem. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. (Wikipedia)
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Debtors Anonymous is a twelve-step program for people who want to stop incurring unsecured debt. Collectively they attend more than 500 weekly meetings in fifteen countries, according to data released in 2011. (Wikipedia)
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Crystal Meth Anonymous is a California-based non-profit, public-benefit corporation working as a twelve-step program of recovered and recovering crystal meth addicts. (Wikipedia)
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Nar-Anon Family Groups Anonymous
Nar-Anon, known officially as "Nar-Anon Family Groups", is a twelve-step program for friends and family members of those who are affected by someone else's addiction. (Wikipedia)
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Workaholics Anonymous (WA) is a twelve-step program for people identifying themselves as "powerless over compulsive work, worry, or activity" including, but not limited to, workaholics–including overworkers and those who suffer from unmanageable procrastination or work aversion. Anybody with a desire to stop working compulsively is welcome at a WA meeting. Unmanageability can include compulsive work in housework, hobbies, fitness, or volunteering as well as in paid work. Anyone with a problematic relationship with work is welcomed. (Wikipedia)
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