Dr. Neill Neill's Practical Psychology of Alcoholism

Conquer Alcoholism: Help for Functioning Alcoholics and their Families

Dr. Neill Neill — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:37:08 +0000

Dr. Neill Neill

"Alcoholism and Alcohol Rehab" is a new resource I’m creating in response to reader requests. You have made frequent pleas for help for your functioning alcoholic spouses who want to stop alcohol abuse, but can’t seem to quit drinking.

Alcohol abuse is one of the toughest and most pervasive issues confronting family life in North America and beyond. It affects both men and women and it cuts across all income levels.

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An “Addictive Personality”- The Alcoholic’s Convenient Myth

Dr. Neill Neill — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:49:20 +0000

Dr. Neill Neill

People addicted to alcohol drink compulsively and often claim to have an addictive personality. It is a convenient myth.

I heard of a dentist who approached his dental work with compulsive attention to detail. His crowns had to fit perfectly. He was fanatical about bite adjustment and his workspace cleanliness was impeccable—all things I like to see in a dentist, because I do not like pain… or recalls.

Unfortunately, when his compulsive cleanliness extended to his front office and the waiting room, he could not keep his staff. His marriages didn’t last, because he imposed his compulsive orderliness on his family.

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Thrivers, Survivors and People in Recovery

Dr. Neill Neill — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:51:54 +0000

Dr Neill Neill

We meet people everyday who have recovered or are in recovery from a major life changing event. Some deem themselves as survivors, and some just positively live their lives looking forward to the future (a thriver). What are the differences between a thriver, a survivor and a person in recovery?

A thriver is someone who grows vigorously, flourishes, or realizes goals despite circumstances. Thrivers are active agents in creating their futures. They look forward to an ever better future. They have a knowing that when setbacks come, they will land on their feet.

A "survivor," in contrast, is someone whose identity incorporates a past wound such as sexual abuse, torture, cancer or some other horrible condition.

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Moral Evasion through Pop Psychology

Dr. Neill Neill — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:32:16 +0000

Dr. Neill Neill

Pop psychology has worked its way into our culture. If a man makes a mistake, its OK to blame it on something he ate or an addiction he has. Has pop psychology made it so people no longer have to accept responsibility for their own actions? Is pop psychology making us a society of victims?

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The Support Group Groupie

Dr. Neill Neill — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:23:35 +0000

Dr. Neill Neill

Mutual support can be a double-edged sword. Joining a support group can lead to renewal, likening it to pressing the REFRESH button on life. However, a support group can also keep you stuck pressing the REPLAY button and hearing the same thing over and over. The picture of your life can get out of focus.

Human beings are social creatures. We need to support one another and we need support. Barak Obama is right when he says we need to work together. Businesses are failing. People are losing jobs and even homes. There is a lot of pain out there; and wherever there is pain, you will find support groups…

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Alcoholic Neuropathy: Signs and Symptoms

Dr. Neill Neill — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:12:16 +0000

Dr. Neill Neill

A reader left a question on the article "Can you become Allergic to Alcohol?" Her question was

What is alcoholic neuropathy? Have heard the term and interested in understanding.

She went on to add the comment,

It is just amazing when you read the comments from other people, and it is like they are just describing the events of your own life.

Alcoholic Neuropathy: Symptoms

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Grieving the Loss of a Daughter

Dr. Neill Neill — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:34:50 +0000

My oldest daughter, Monique, died suddenly in December. It has been a difficult time, especially on top of the death of a son earlier in the year.

As a parent I can’t help but ponder the "why" question.

I wrote an article, Grieving the Death of a Child. The article is about grieving, not about alcohol use and abuse, although the latter may have been involved.

Leave your comments below or under the article, Grieving the Death of a Child.

Neill

Be Aware of Holiday Alcohol Abuse

Dr. Neill Neill — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:28:07 +0000

Dr. Neill Neill

It is the beginning of the holiday season. While a time of joy for many, it can also be a dangerous time for alcoholics. Learn how to avoid alcohol abuse over the holidays…

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A Primer on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD - and Self-Medication with Alcohol

Dr. Neill Neill — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:25:37 +0000

Dr. Neill Neill

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that many people have suffered from at one time or another. If untreated, PTSD can lead people to indulging in addictive behaviors. For example, someone who was once a casual drinker may now have increased his alcohol consumption.

We hear all the time about soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Exposed to the horror of actual or threatened death or serious injury, they re-experience the trauma through not being able to stop thinking about it, flashbacks, nightmares or intense body reactions to certain situations. They report feeling numb, not interested in anything, depressed and having no sense of future. Symptoms may include difficulty sleeping, irritability and always being on guard. Many military and ex-military self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs and become addicted.

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The Functioning Alcoholic- Relationship Survival. Dr. Neill to be Interviewed

Dr. Neill Neill — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:34:20 +0000

Dr. Neill Neill will be interviewed by Kevin Midbo of People first Radio tomorrow noon, Pacific time. The interview will be about his new book on alcoholism, relationship survival and his own experiece with alcoholism.

Announcement from PEOPLE FIRST RADIO:

"Join us for the live broadcast of People First Radio

on CHLY 101.7 FM or listen online. Thursdays at noon.

The ‘Functioning Alcoholic’:

Relationship Survival"

Dr. neill Neill, a Vancouver Island-based registered psychologist, has written a book steeped in his own personal experience–and aimed at women who find themselves living with a "functioning alcoholic." Alcohol and alcoholism–cunning, baffling, powerful–are not just individual issues…the entire family is affected.

Neill Neill joins us to talk about his new book, his own experience as an alcoholic, and the issues associated with alcoholism and relationships.

Living with a Functioning Alcoholic, A woman’s Survival Guide Living with a Functioning Alcoholic, A woman’s Survival Guide

Nanaimo News Bulletin: Answers on Alcohol Abuse: Book Aimed at Helping women

To join us for the program at 12 noon Pacific time, locally dial 101.7 FM or from anywhere go to http://chly.ca. Part way through the program Kevin will announce a call-in number if you have any questions.

Neill