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Sex Addiction Not In The DSM
Doctors cannot seem to agree about the medical definition of sex addiction, also known as compulsive sexual behavior, hyper sexuality, or nymphomania. In fact, sex addition IS NOT INCLUDED in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a classification system for mental health practitioners published by the American Psychiatry Association.
The DSM is considered the go-to reference when diagnosing psychiatric issues. However, the most recent version of this classification system, the DSM-4, does not yet recognize sex addition as diagnose-able condition. And the next version of the handbook, the DSM-5, is due for publication in May of 2013 and only includes sex addiction in the appendix. Why is this?
Apparently, there is not enough scientific evidence for the existence of sex addiction, but the mention in the appendix is meant to stimulate research. Psychiatrists insist that there has to be an empirical basis to modify anything in the DSM. Furthermore, the APA’s working group of consultants who will guide the DSM-5 question whether it’s even possible or desirable to create diagnostic criteria for sex issues.
Characteristics Of Sex Addiction
Nonetheless, sex addiction is a painful and very real dis-ease for many. In fact, preoccupation with sex can cause progressively worse consequences for individuals, families, and friends. But what does it mean to act out sexually? Check out the thorough questionnaire on sex addiction from Sex Addicts Anonymous, or consider these questions:
1. Are you unable to stop sexual behavior when you want to?
2. Do you keep your sexual behavior secret?
3. Do you use sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviors to numb yourself from difficult feelings or to avoid responsibilities?
4. Is your sexual behavior lacking intimacy and/or respect for yourself and others?
5. Do sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviors have negative consequences in your life?
Do you recognize yourself?
Do you think your partner might be a sex addict?
Can You Make My Daddy Stop Drinking?”
This might have been the toughest question to handle emotionally for me in my whole life. It came out of the blue by phone from a then 12 year old son of a client I had been working with.
The simple answer was, “No, I can’t.”
Learning how to deal with an alcoholic is something everyone in a family does, by second nature. But the message that we cannot change an alcoholic’s drinking contains a resounding reminder of the huge impact that alcohol abuse in the family has on children.
In my line of work, working to help repair the damage done to others by an addicted person is equally as challenging as dealing with the addicted. Quite simply, families have troubled accepting the impact living with or loving an active addicted person has on them. In this case, the young fellow quoted above was obviously painfully aware of the problems in his father’s life, but was hopeful that change was possible.
Change is possible, but it has to come from an alcoholic who wants to get sober.
Alcohol Addiction Effects On Children And Families
Living with active addiction has a devastating effect on every family member no matter how young or how old. Often referred to as the “elephant in the closet”, think of the great lengths families go to hide the behaviours of an addicted family member. Secrets are kept, there is shame usually accompanied by guilt and shame.
One or more family member begins to play the role of “fixer” or helper and nearly all are forced into lying to help cover the realities.
Living with active addiction changes people negatively and will ruin lives if family members don’t get help for themselves. It’s a hard lesson to learn- family members can’t control the addicted person nor can they fix them and most importantly; that a family member is addicted is in no way the fault of the remainder of the family.
The effective of alcoholism and other addictions is devastating on all those close to the addict and negatively impacts on the family dynamic.
Think of what was going through the mind of the 12 year old that was desperate enough to phone me and ask if I could stop his Daddy’s drinking. You, the family member, have choices independent of the addict in your life. I pray that you make wise choices!
Proactive Steps To Heal Yourself And Your Family
If you have being living in proximity to an active addict, you don’t need me to inform you of the effect it has had on you. Be honest with yourself, the answers are within and good coaching can help you articulate them and deal with your feelings. You better than anyone know the damage done if you are honest with yourself.
As a former active addict who was functional and maintained a job, I have personally witnessed the effect my addiction had on my now ex-husband as well as others close to me. Those in my family who sought help and took action are now living free from my addictive behaviour and we enjoy a healthy relationship.
Relationships After Alcoholism
Once a person is sober (maybe with the help of 12 step groups, detox, or treatment for addiction at home), they start thinking about how they affect others. Many of my clients ask how long it takes to regain “trust” and build real intimacy into relationships. For the alcoholic new to recovery, I have some suggestions.
I don’t think there is any hard and fast rule; it is totally dependent on your recovery coupled with affirmative action taken by the injured party.
In my own case, my behaviour was one more sequence of bad events that my husband has undergone in his life. It is funny how many “partners” of addicted people have grown up with addiction in their homes as a child and sworn they’d never go through what their family did. My husband loved me, took independent recovery action to deal with his issues.
Fixing The Past
I have been working towards what is called in 12 step groups “repairing the wreckage of the past”.
My job in repairing is to live like a good human being, to be open and honest and to support those close to me in their own personal journeys of discovery. I can’t repair the damage I did, but can help those I love to recognize it and take a course of action on their own. I work hard at not repeating my mistakes and most of the wreckage has been dealt with.
Questions about alcoholism effects
After reading this, do you still have questions about the effects of alcoholism on children and families? Feedback?
I invite you to leave me a message here and let me know. I am happy to try to respond to all legitimate concerns with a personal and prompt reply. I would love to hear from you…you are not alone!
What Is Self Cutting?
Experts estimate that almost 1% of the American population intentionally cuts, injures or hurts themselves regularly or habitually. In fact, cutting yourself can be a form of addiction, especially when the action is impulsive, deliberate and repetitive. The medical terms for this type of action include: self injury, self mutilation, self harm or self abuse. The most common ways that people injure themselves include:
breaking bones
burning the skin
cutting the skin
embedding objects under the skin
infecting oneself
inserting objects in body openings
intentional bruising
picking scabs or interfering with wound healing
pulling hair
punching self or objects
scratching skin
Why Do People Cut Themselves?
Mainly, people cut themselves as a coping mechanism to events and situations in life. In this way, cutting is much like alcohol or drug abuse – it is a means to “turn off” reality and plug into another way of thinking and feeling to either avoid or cope with life. Although self cutting is one way to cope with or relieve painful or intense feelings, psychological and emotional relief is only temporary. Just like waking up with a hangover, and then starting to drink again, self cutting can grow into a more serious self-destructive cycle without proper treatment.
To summarize, people cut themselves for a number of different reasons. These include:
Boredom – Some people cut themselves because the are under stimulated.
Coping mechanism – Some people cut themselves because cutting brings a sense of relief from intense feelings or helps a person cope with a problem. This is especially true for the nearly 50% of self injurers who report physical and/or sexual abuse during childhood.
Emotional pain – Some people use cutting to stop feeling lonely, angry, or hopeless.
Excitement – Cutting can provide relief and calm for a person feeling over stimulated.
Fear – some people who cut themselves are fearful of intimate relationships and adult responsibilities and cut their skin as a protest to either.
Feeling empty – People also cut themselves because they report feeling empty inside and want to feel something – so they choose pain over nothing at all. This is because holding back strong emotions can cause a person to begin feeling numb. So cutting can be a way to deal with the numbness because it causes you to feel something.
Low self esteem – Some people who cut may feel unloved or not understood by their family or friends and cut themselves as a result of low self-esteem.
Other medical conditions – Many people who cut themselves may also be diagnosed with eating disorders (50-66%), alcohol or substance abuse problems. As a result, cutting becomes an outlet for these other treatable medical conditions.
Peer pressure – Some people may hurt themselves because they want to fit in and be accepted by others who are already cutting.
Relief – Cuting can stimulate feelings of pain that provide a sense of relief from intense feelings. Cutting can also relieve the tension from repressed sadness or anxiety.
Repressed feelings – People who hurt themselves often keep their feelings “bottled up” inside and have a hard time letting their feelings show. Or self-injurers commonly report they feel unable to express their feelings. In fact, up to 90% of self-injurers report that they were discouraged from expressing emotions as children, especially anger and sadness.
There is help for self harm/self cutting.
If you think someone around you or if you are suffering from self harm/cutting.
Please contact me at janique@janiquesvedberg.com
Janique
Happy New Year and congratulations to you for being serious about your 2012 resolution.
How many times do we promise ourselves to stop, destructive behaviors such as smoking, drinking, overeating and living a better family life etc. only to fall back to our old habits?
I can help you keep your promise and improve your life for good.
As an international certified life coach and former addict, I now specialize in destructive behaviors and addiction that includes co-dependent relationships.
I know what I m talking about from my own experience and
If I can do it, so can you!
Start to Improve your life in 2012 by calling me for a FREE consultation
Tel: 001 917 572 8149
Email: janique@janiquesvedberg.com
Skype: ickasvedberg
Janique 
It’s holiday time!
Bells and songs and tension and conflict. The whole family package. Often, family time can trigger old habits, including addictive tendencies that we can hold at bay in normal circumstances. We revert to childhood roles long established, all the progress of sobriety dissolving in a sarcastic remark or snide comment said the wrong way.
So how can we as addicts deal with regression but avoid the danger of relapse?
Here are a few tips for keeping sane and staying in the center of your game.
1. Invite a friend in recovery to join you and meet your family. Birds of a feather stick together, and there’s nothing like being able to roll your eyes with a fellow confidente. If you’re feeling a little shaky, bring backup. Friends in recovery will be all too happy to oblige.
2. Get thee to a meeting. Schedule daily interludes in the family craziness to visit the rooms of A.A. or N.A. Checking in at least once a day will keep you accountable to your ongoing mental health. Share about your frsutrations. It will make you feel better.
3. Pray. Memorize a little prayer of gratitude or of supplication. Repeat as much as necessary.
4. Meditate. During really difficult moments, concentrate on your breath. Notice what happens to your body when you get angry or upset or frightened or disappointed. Where does the stress go? How does it manifest? Working with your negative emotions will help you understand yourself more and can help you learn to calm yourself during difficult times.
5. Know when enough is enough. Stay for just the amount of time that you feel is required. We are all obligated to our families, but we do not need to dwell in unhealthy relationships as active participants.
Make a commitment to stay with your family for a realistic amount of time…and if things get too crazy, bow out. Losing face is less important than staying clean.
Do you have any other ideas? How are you dealing with the season? Any successes you can share?
Millercoors, LLC will no longer be selling alcoholic energy drinks in the U.S. The President of the company, Tom Long, was quoted saying,
“We are always willing to listen to societal partners and consider changes to our business to reinforce our commitment to alcohol responsibility.”
This came after more than 12 different state attorney generals filed suit against the company.
It seems VERY unlikely to me that MillerCoors is acting out of any great beneficence or concern for greater public health … but from fear of larger and growing repercussions. Mainly legal. The potential health risks of alcohol mixed with caffeine are enormous, not the least being a misperception of just how drunk you actually are when you drink something like ‘Sparks’. And MillerCoors is not alone.
Competitor Anheuser-Busch InBev removed their caffeinated alcoholic drinks from the market earlier this year after legal questions were raised about a similar alcoholic energy drink.
*Which brings me to the nagging question that’s been tailing me for years now. Why AREN’T the manufacturers of alcohol consistently or at least largely held responsible for societal effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse? I mean, this went down with cigarette manufacturers last decade. And nearly every manufacturer of anything has mandatory warning labels applied to boxes, wrapping or the products themselves. But as far as I know, no one has pointed the finger or demanded remittance from the producers of booze.
What do you think? If they’re so dedicated to the cause of alcohol responsibility, why aren’t corporations creating funds to support recovery? Are makers of wine, liquor and beer getting off easy? In a consumer society with some accountability, should we start demanding change? What might be done? Or are alcoholics alone responsible for their own sobriety?
*The legal case against caffeinated beverages was also gaining ground among consumer advocates (like myself) because such products were obviously aimed at young people. MillerCoors can deny it. But come on – this trend was piggybacking off the popularity of the Red Bull & vodka craze in the clubs – NOT dudes with beer bellies grabbing a six-pack of Sparks from 7-11 on their way to plunk down in front of Monday night football. No, this beverage was created and intended to be consumed by Friday and Saturday night kids wanting to get a buzz on. That they erroneously started believing that they might counter the effects of alcohol with the fatigue blocking chemistry of caffeine (a.k.a. energy) just adds fuel to the legal fire.
Over the past several decades, a number of high profile drug addiction stories have made headlines around the globe. These cases have involved famous athletes, powerful politicians and some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Sometimes these stories have ended tragically, with the death or incarceration of the individual in question, while others have enjoyed redemption and recovery at the end of their tale.
Here is a look at some of the most famous drug addiction cases from the past 50 years.
Kurt Cobain
The lead singer of the world’s biggest rock band of the 1990′s was also a lifelong heroin addict whose problem only worsened as his fame grew. Unable to handle the pressures that accompany success, Cobain secluded himself in his sprawling Washington estate, overdosed on heroin and then committed suicide via self-inflicted gunshot wound.
River Phoenix
During his brief life, River Phoenix enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom and a devastating drug addiction that would eventually kill him. After habitual cocaine and heroin use since he was in his teens, Phoenix would succumb to a drug overdose from a speedball (cocaine and heroin mixture) outside of the famous Viper Room nightclub on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, California.
Tim Allen
During the 1990′s, Tim Allen was one of the most beloved stars on television. His smash hit show Home Improvement was number one in the ratings almost every season of its existence. What many fans did not know was that Allen overcame a very serious cocaine addiction, one that would actually lead him to trouble with law enforcement, before enjoying mainstream success. Tim Allen is an excellent example of a celebrity who had the strength and support system to overcome drug addiction in a setting that makes recovery very difficult.
Elvis Presley
When Elvis was young, he was a polite, clean cut young man. Although many parents saw his hip gyrations and racy (for the time) lyrics as signs of the collapse of modern society, he was actually quite tame by modern standards. Then Elvis went into the US Army and began taking amphetamines. When he returned to civilian life, he developed a prescription drug addiction that included practically every drug found a pharmacist’s shelf. After decades of drug dependence, Elvis died of an overdose with a shocking fourteen different drugs in his system.
Janis Joplin
One of the most iconic figures of the 1960′s, Janis Joplin’s voice was a familiar part of the counterculture scene of that decade. However, Joplin also battled alcoholism and drug addiction throughout her life. She was a heavy drinker and a developed a strong heroin habit as well. These factors would eventually lead to her death of a heroin overdose combined with complications from alcohol intake.
These are all tragic stories ending in death, which they all will if we don’t seek help.
After years of touring, being in the art scene in New York City, drugs and rock’n roll. I had the amazing privilege to get clean and sober at Caron-Renaissance rehabilitation in Florida, which saved my life!
Now, years later, miracles after miracles is happening in my life, one of them is, I am now working with Caron-Renaissance new state of the art facility called Ocean Drive.
Ocean Drive is a tailored, boutique program for the discerning client. With Caron’s drive and more than 50 years as a recovery industry leader, to stand behind this innovative programming with Ocean Drive, Caron enters a new league of recovery services and I’m proudly part of it – who would have thought
So instead of going down the road to jail, institution or death – BE BRAVE, REACH OUT and call me, I’ve been there and I can help!
Janique
What Is An Addiction Coach?
I coach, plain and simple, and the results achieved by those I have worked with indicate a high success rate. I am not a therapist or addiction counselor, I am a recovered addict professionally trained and experienced in coaching success. I am an active member of a 12 step fellowship and have been for years. I work the steps as best I can on a daily basis and incorporate the steps into my coaching practice.
Life coaching provided by a recovering addict with strong business and an experienced life background can change your life. Be sure to choose a coach who is a fully trained, experienced and accredited master level coaching professional. Using the telephone or Skype, coaching can be scheduled into busy lifestyles and can be carried in total confidence.
Is There More Out There Than 12 Step Groups?
I coach people, who for whatever their reason, chose not to go to groups or need more than a 12 step setting. I ask the question, “Is there a healthier way for people to live?” Their reasons for engaging a coach (as were mine) are their reasons. The ultimate goal is individual success. Whatever works is the RIGHT WAY for the individual that succeeds, and there is no ONE RIGHT WAY!!
Life Purpose Coaching Q & A For Drinking And Drug Problems
Here are a few things I want to share because I think they might be important to some who read this. If not for them, then for someone they know.
—–
Q: Addiction is a disease, but is chronic relapse necessary?
A: No. Addiction coaches don’t think that chronic relapse is necessary.
Alcohol and drug problems are characterized as conditions that can trigger chronic relapse. As such, addicts and alcoholics then consider it normal to drink and drug again. In fact, it is rather accepted and considered “normal” to go through detox and treatment repeatedly, at great cost, again and again. Addiction may be a disease, but is it necessary to chronically relapse?
Instead, we believe that people don’t have to relapse when using the support of a coach. That means they don’t have to experience negative consequences that often accompany a drug or alcohol relapse. Addiction coaching helps protect your initial investment in addiction treatment by preventing relapse, and helps those who have relapsed prevent further harm and get turned around. With coaching, addicts can avoid repeated consequences of relapse such as:
The cost of repeated treatment
Disappointment of family and friends
Loss of health
Problems at work
Problems with the law
—–
Q: Does addiction coaching shift away from primary treatment?
A: Not exactly.
Many people who are experiencing addiction will need detox and treatment, but they will also need support when they get out. Crisis stabilization is not enough. There must be support after treatment—otherwise nine out of ten people typically relapse. That’s why the emphasis is shifting to recovery support. We all know that staying in recovery isn’t easy and that people with addictions often have complicated lives. That’s why having a coach for addiction problems makes such a difference. Whether you need help managing money or medications, addiction coaches help you stay in recovery and make recovery worth it.
—–
Q: What is it like to have an addiction coach?
A: It’s like having someone believe in you.
Addiction coaches help you enjoy life and take care of things before they become stressful. So you aren’t in danger of relapse because you feel good about your life. It is a co-creative holistic approach to life. Having an addiction coach is like having someone smart in your life that cares about you and believes in you and wants to help you with whatever is important to you. That could be:
Doing something about food, sex, internet habits, etc.
Doing something to have more fun
Getting a job
Getting more exercising more
Getting out of a relationship that no longer works
Managing money better
Quitting smoking
—–
Q: Can an addiction coach work with someone who is still using drugs or alcohol?
A: Yes, as long as there is progress.
If a person can show up for scheduled phone calls and starts to take positive action between the calls, addiction coaching can work. However, good addiction coaches only take clients who we believe can benefit from coaching. Although addiction coaches don’t diagnose nor offer treatment for addiction, we do help clients integrate addiction treatment in other ways:
Create a harm reduction plan
Face life challenges after treatment
Prepare for addiction treatment
—–
Q: How does addiction coaching fit in with what addiction professionals already know?
A: Addiction coaching provides recovery support after acute addiction treatment.
Most addiction professionals are trained to work with acute episodes of addiction in a treatment setting such as a drug rehab center. But as public funding and private money for treatment dries up, all the talk is about recovery support. We know that support must go beyond stabilization of drug or alcohol use and we now know that abstinence is not enough.
People want rewarding lives in recovery. That is where addiction coaches can help. We help make recovery worth it by enhancing lives. Good addiction coaching teaches you to co-create so that you can live better. Addiction coaching should also be 1 on 1, be client focused.
Life Coaching For Addiction Issues Helps Addicts Live Better
Coaching is not therapy, and does not replace traditional addiction treatment. However, coaching can complement other recovery related activities and harness the talent of the client to achieve personal success. One of my goals is to be more actively engaged in my life mission: to be of service to others and to do my part in helping increase the rate of success in recovery. But folks, I can tell you from personally hiring coaches and being one myself, coaching is not well understood and I hope you find some enlightenment here!
For a free consultation email me at janique@janiquesvedberg.com
Janique
Nicotine addiction statistics
Nicotine dependence is the most common form of chemical dependence in the United States. Although reasons people start smoking vary by person, most people do not know that the odds are that if they start, they will not stop. Of those people who start smoking during adolescence, 80% become lifetime smokers. And of the 35 million of smokers who try to quit on their own each year, 85% + relapse, most within a week. And another statistic for you: half of all smokers who have heart attacks keep smoking, even though their doctor warns them to stop.
If that’s not enough, check out these tobacco industry quotes about nicotine addiction:
“I believe the thing we sell most is nicotine.” Philip Morris memo, 1980.
“The cigarette should not be construed as a product but a package. The product is nicotine. Think of a puff of smoke as the vehicle for nicotine.” Philip Morris researcher, 1972.
“Very few consumers are aware of the effects of nicotine, i.e., its addictive nature and that nicotine is a poison.” Brown & Williamson memo by H.D. Steele, 1978.
How nicotine acts on the body
Nicotine is a naturally occuring chemical found in the tobacco plant. When tobacco is chewed, snuffed or smoked, nicotine enters the body. Different channels of entry include the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, the skin, or the lungs. After nicotine gets into the bloodstream, it is then circulated throughout the brain.
Nicotine activates reward pathways in the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure. In fact, research has shown that nicotine increases levels of dopamine in the reward circuits. This reaction has also been observed with other drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Additionally, nicotine affects the entire body. Nicotine acts directly on the heart to increase heart rate and blood pressure. Nicotine also acts on the nerves that control respiration to change breathing patterns.
However, all of these effects are short lived. The acute effects of nicotine lessen quickly, as do the associated feelings of reward. It is this short, intense “kick” which keeps tobacco users returning to tobacco. A continue dosing of nicotine is required to maintain the drug’s pleasurable effects and, after you become addicted to it, to prevent nicotine withdrawal.
How do you get addicted to nicotine?
Nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol (or more addictive). For many tobacco users, long term brain changes induced by continued nicotine exposure result in addiction. But how does nicotine addiction happen and what can you do about it?
Nicotine addiction occurs over time. Nicotine is insidious. Nicotine effects are intense, but short-lived. Every time you inhale a tobacco smoke, you deliver nicotine to the brain. And although 1-2 mg per cigarette may not seem like much, it is enough to make someone addicted over time. It’s this tiny dose of nicotine, repeated over and over again that compels a 10-30 cigarette/day habit. Think – at 10 hits per cigarettes, that’s 100-300 doses of nicotine every day!
Characteristics of nicotine addiction
Two main traits characterize nicotine addiction: physical characteristics of tolerance and withdrawal combined with mental craving.
1. Physical dependence – If you use tobacco products that contain nicotine again and again, your body will first develop a tolerance for it. When that happens, you need more nicotine to get the same effect that you originally enjoyed. Plus, when you stop using nicotine, you will go through nicotine withdrawal. Although an average nicotine withdrawal timeline takes place over a few weeks, most people go back to nicotine just to ease symptoms and discomfort.
2. Psychological craving – Over time, not only will physical tolerance develop, but so will psychological dependence. It is often the mental and emotional aspect of addiction that is so difficult for people to master.
What can you do to control addiction to nicotine?
You might be able to control nicotine addiction simply through will power. Other people find it helpful to use over-the-counter and prescription medications to replace nicotine and relieve the symptoms of withdrawal. But in the end, psychological treatment can help immensely when trying to kick the habit. Behavioral treatment programs help people learn about and change their behaviors.
Need help to quit nicotine?
Please let us know. Ask a question. Share something about yourself. Or just let us know what you are thinking. We respond to all queries and struggles personally. You can email me at janique@janiquesvedberg.com
A beautiful story! Yesterday I had a new client, a well known producer, a large man not only in size but in spirit! He had 2 blackberry, 2 IPhones a very busy man, he sat in front of me with his arms crossed, his whole body in a tight knot, he told me right away when he walked in that he had about 2 minutes to “get fixed”! This is when the little miracle happened. Blue, my chihuahua, felt this man’s energy, jumped up on his knee and started to cuddle with him – guess what happened?? The big producer felt the unconditional love, broke down completely and after 4 hrs I knew this man’s history from birth! He will be back and I have to tell you all – his steps when he walked out was a lot lighter and he had a big smile on his beautiful face – thank you Blue!!! He is a very good life coach dog!!!!
