Addiction is a disorder that impacts us in every way:

• Physically
• Mentally
• Emotionally
• Spiritually
• Relationally

Addictions fall into two main categories:  substance or process.

Substance addictions include:

• Alcohol
• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• All forms of Nicotine
• Illegal drugs
  - Marijuana
  - Cocaine
  - Methamphetamine
  - Hallucinogens

Process addictions include:

• Gambling
• Gaming
• Internet
• Love/Relationship
• Sex
• Work

In summary, any substance use or behavior that becomes compulsive may progress to addiction.  Anything that we obsess about or become preoccupied about may be an addiction.  Living in addiction leads to life in chaos.  Our whole life including our relationships suffers.  As the disease progresses, the addict’s denial becomes stronger.  Shame increases leading to a secret life.

Family members of an addict often become traumatized as a result of living in the chaos of addiction.  The person or people living with an addict sometimes become so preoccupied with the addict that they develop their own symptoms.  Even if the addict achieves recovery, the partner needs treatment for him or herself. 

Alcoholics Anonymous, founded in 1935, offers a 12-Step program for successfully treating alcoholism.  In the late 1970’s, Dr. Patrick Carnes developed a treatment program based on the 12-Steps of AA along with his 30 Tasks to successfully treat sexual compulsivity.  Our workshops draw upon the principles of both of these programs to effectively treat all types of addiction.  We do not claim that a 5 day workshop can cure addiction.  Our outcomes do show that one workshop can jump-start recovery when used to complement other available resources including hometown therapy.