mental health
Help for Addictions
God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference.
You can find peace and tranquility through repeating the serenity prayer. This prayer is part of 12-step programs.
Isolation, mental health issues, abuse, and financial problems may lead to thoughts of ways to ease stress and fear. Those with addictions may find this time challenging. One mistake can cause a relapse. If you feel that drugs, alcohol, smoking, gambling, or over-eating are taking over your life, there is help.
Narcotics Anonymous offers recovery to addicts around the world. na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous offers recovery from alcoholism. aa.org
Overeaters Anonymous is a program for people with problems related to food and overeating. oa.org
Gamblers Anonymous is a group of people who support each other to overcome gambling addiction and help others do the same. gamblersanonymous.org
Nicotine Anonymous (“NicA”) is a non-profit, 12-step fellowship of people helping each other live nicotine-free lives. nicotineanonymous.org
There are groups for family members and friends of drug addicts and alcoholics. They benefit those struggling to deal with addicted family or friends. It is very hard to see someone you love addicted.
Unfortunately, I know from firsthand experience the downfall of family members from addictions. You try to rescue them, which can take a toll on your own health. Letting them go is difficult.
These groups can help you learn how to let go of the addict if it becomes necessary. You can learn ways to deal with the addicted person.
Nar-Anon Family Groups: A 12-step program for family and friends of addicts. nar-anon.org
Al-Anon: Help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics. al-anon.org
Narateen is for Teenagers Affected by Someone Else’s Addiction. Find a narateen meeting
Alateen is a place just for teens affected by someone else’s alcoholism. Teen corner alateen
“Abuse is known to have a relationship with addiction.” Read more about domestic abuse and it’s connection to addiction. Learn more here.
“Recovering financial independence after struggling with substance abuse is a crucial step to recovery.” Learn more here.
Mental Health and Domestic Violence
Feeling his hands around my neck saying, “I am going to kill you b….”, living in fear, knowing I might not see the next day! That is how I felt many years. When I finally got away, I did not realize how scared I was of my abuser. Just the thought of him made me tremble to my inner core. Seeing him, made my legs so weak I could not walk.
Standing against a wall after getting a temporary restraining order, trying not to pass out, I realized that this was the end of my abuse and the beginning of a new life. I was making a statement that I would no longer tolerate abuse of any kind. I was scared, not knowing the next move, I realized that no matter what happened I had to get away and never look back. Appearing in court with him was more than my body and mind could handle. After the first arrest for stalking, with the restraining order in place, the court accepted my plea not to appear with my abuser in court again. For that, I am grateful.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and that was a reminder for me to realize how much I have healed both mentally and physically. PTSD is something I will live with the rest of my life, but fortunately, I have learned ways to cope with it. I found many ways to heal alternatively and I want to help others learn those ways and become survivors, leaving the victim mentally behind.
One way that was healing for me was to write, “Domestic Violence Survivor Handbook, Steps to Freedom“. If you are a victim of abuse and trying to find your way to freedom, please check out my book.