by Christine Hammond on September 24, 2021
One of the hardest types of people to deal with is a narcissist in the middle of their addiction. They are completely exhausting. The combined selfishness of narcissism and addictive behavior is overpowering, relentless, callous, and frequently abusive. This destructive blend of arrogant thinking in that they are always right and that they do not… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on June 13, 2020
Angel came into counseling knowing that something was wrong, but not knowing what it was. After being married to his wife for seven years he noticed she had become more secretive and distant. Money from their savings account was missing and unaccounted for, his wife would disappear frustrated and return weirdly happy, and she seemed… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on February 22, 2019
At first, Jacqueline found her partner’s behavior endearing. He would send her multiple text messages during the day including during work, he randomly appeared when she was out to lunch with friends, he started texting her friends as if he was their friend, and he constantly wanted to know where she was and who she… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 7, 2018
Marie and her twin sister Rose had the same childhood experiences. They went to the same schools, had the same teachers, liked the same activities and enjoyed the same friends. Yet as they got older, Marie excelled in her job, had a stable marriage, and was satisfied with her achievements. Meanwhile, Rose became an alcoholic,… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 7, 2018
Angel came into counseling knowing that something was wrong but not knowing what it was. After being married for seven years, he noticed his wife became more secretive and distant. Money from their savings account was missing and unaccounted for, his wife would disappear frustrated and return weirdly happy, and she seemed to get angry… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 7, 2018
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Addicts plus holidays usually equal disaster. This is because addicts have a tendency to divide family at a celebration, not unite. Relatives fall into one of three categories: those who see the addiction and have no tolerance, those who see the addiction and tolerate it, and those who don’t see the addiction at all. An… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Ever wondered if a behavioral hospital might be a good idea? These facilities are designed to help: an out of control addict, an unusually intense manic episode, a desire and means to commit suicide, a severely abused victim, a troubled teen who threatens to harm others, an intense anger rage, a person hallucinating, or a… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on May 16, 2017
The road to recovery is paved first with good intentions then morphs into hard work, determination, resolve, and commitment. Good intentions can start the process but it is not enough to complete it. Imagine a stretch of highway on a flat road that is far easier to pave than it is to engineer a bridge… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on March 3, 2017
The short answer is yes. While this might seem like a strange concept, those who have been victims understand it all too well. An acquaintance starts sending excessive messages, magically showing up unexpectedly, asks too intimate or probing questions, gives inappropriate gifts, and seems to immerse themselves into environments or other friendships just to stay… (more…)