“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.” – John W. Gardner As alcoholics, we love to play the role of the victim. And of course we do – pointing towards anything other than ourselves allows us to continue living in […]
Formulating and pursuing goals is part of being human. Goals structure our lives – they supply us with a vital sense of purpose, allow us to build self-esteem, and essentially configure the way in which we choose to spend our time. Many of us share common goals; we aim to complete a higher level of […]
The psychological effects of trauma have been thoroughly studied for quite some time – it has long-since been understood that the experiences we undergo (both positive and negative) will shape the way we think and feel. At Next Chapter, we focus on addiction through the lens of trauma – meaning that we pay careful attention […]
“There’s so much grace in acceptance. It’s not an easy concept. But if you embrace it, you’ll find more peace than you ever imagined.” – Loretta LaRoche Like all significant acts of healing, addiction recovery is a lifelong process – one that happens moment by moment. From the very moment we make the decision to […]
Inpatient treatment is often necessary for those who are unable to stop using drugs or drinking on their own. Perhaps an individual has come to terms with the fact that he has a problem with chemical substance, and has attempted to quit or cut back, finding himself unable. Perhaps he has agreed to attend an […]
We stole from our mothers. We lied to our friends. We manipulated our grandparents and helped ourselves to the medications they needed to live. We failed out of school. We lived on the streets. We sold our bodies for drug money. We showed up to work drunk and embarrassed ourselves, incessantly, in front of our […]
Owning up to what we have done wrong is no small task – in fact, admitting that we have significantly harmed our loved ones is one of the most painful processes we may ever undergo. Making amends does not merely entail admitting where we were at fault, it requires an honest and thorough look at […]
The link between trauma and addiction is no secret – since the 1970s, addiction specialists and treatment professionals alike have been closely studying the relationship between early trauma and the development of substance abuse disorders. However, the crucial role that emotional trauma plays in the occurrence of addictive disorders is often overlooked. We at Next […]
2 out of every 3 addicts has undergone some form of significant childhood trauma. Have you ever wondered to yourself, “Why am I an addict – why me?” It may sometimes seem like life has dealt you an unfair hand for no apparent reason. It may seem as if there is no true cause for […]
As human beings, social interactions are not only a crucial component of our lives – they typically provide us with the most joy (and the most pain) that we will ever experience. The first relationships we form, those with our primary caregivers, are shown to have profound and lasting effects on our psychological and biological […]
