Articles

Articles by Lisa Espich

Browse every published article connected to Lisa Espich, with exact attribution and full-archive search.

articles: 19
shown per page: 50
search signals: Topic + expert

Articles

19 articles by Lisa Espich · showing 19

Browse every published article connected to Lisa Espich, or search within this exact expert archive.

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

The Three Pieces to the Codependency Recovery Puzzle - Are You Missing One of the Pieces?

Just over five years ago my life was in complete turmoil. I was in a marriage with an out of control addict. I had lost practically all of my possessions due to my husband pawning anything valuable to support his habit, and we were on the verge of foreclosure. I felt emotionally and physically broken down. I really couldn’t find anything in my life to feel happy about. I felt completely powerless.

Primary topic: Codependency

2,561 views5/5 (1)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Addiction and the Brain

How can he be so selfish? He can clearly see how much pains he's causing - why doesn't he care? I can't take the stress any longer. He's destroying all of our dreams. Our lives have become Hell. Isn't he tired of living this way? These are the typical thoughts that run through your mind when you love an addict. You can't understand why he continues on such a destructive path. Why does he make so many bad choices? Why does he cause so much pain to his family and loved ones?

Primary topic: Codependency

2,001 views5/5 (2)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction - How to Recognize If Your Loved One Is In Trouble

Prescription painkillers, such as Hydrocodone and Oxycontin (both opioids), are highly effective in relieving chronic pain. This is why they are often the first choice in treatment by pain management doctors. Although these drugs are legal when properly prescribed, they are chemically similar to heroin, and can be just as addictive.

Primary topic: Codependency

1,391 views5/5 (1)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Are You Codependent?

Are you in a relationship with an addict? Have your attempts at helping that person failed? Do you feel powerless? Codependency is a term used when one person develops unhealthy patterns due to the involvement with another person who has the disease of addiction. Some of the negative patterns that develop include enabling, denial, low self-esteem, and control issues. While these patterns don't happen ove ight, most people who live with an addict for a sustained period of time, eventually fall into some of these behaviors.

Primary topic: Codependency

2,036 views5/5 (1)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

When Helping Becomes Enabling: Top Ten Enabling Behaviors

Take a close look at the life of any person struggling with addiction, and you will likely find at least one family member or friend 'helping' that person. Somebody making it easier for the addict to continue in the progression of their disease. This behavior is called enabling. The problem is that this form of helping is actually hurting.

Primary topic: Codependency

3,612 views

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

How Do You Forgive an Addict

As an author and speaker on co-addiction, and as a wife of a recovering drug-addict, one of the most common questions I get is how do you forgive? It is understandable that after all of the lies, betrayal, and pain that come with addiction that loved ones would have a difficult time forgiving. It can seem unjustifiable. After everything the addict has subjected you to, why should they be forgiven?

Primary topic: Codependency

3,070 views5/5 (1)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Taking the First Step Toward Financial Recovery After Addiction

After two decades of addiction, my husband, Dean, had finally accepted treatment. He was on the right path and ready to begin a fresh start. As he returned home, clean and full of hope, the joy I felt for his long-awaited recovery was joined by the sobering reality of debt. Years of addiction had taken it’s toll on our finances, and it was difficult to deny the anger and resentment that surfaced along with the overdue bills and collection letters.

Primary topic: Codependency

2,693 views

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Four Key Steps for Setting Healthy Boundaries

Throughout the first sixteen years of my marriage my husband, Dean, struggled with his addiction to alcohol, prescription pain pills, and crack cocaine. As his addiction continued to get worse, my ability to set healthy boundaries failed. This didn’t happen ove ight -- it was a gradual process that eventually left me feeling powerless.

Primary topic: Codependency

3,521 views5/5 (1)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Five Steps to Choosing the Right Addiction Treatment Program

When you love somebody struggling with addiction, you pray for the day when he or she agrees to accept treatment. Maybe they reach 'rock bottom' and ask for help, but it's more likely that an ultimatum or plea from family and friends is what pushes them toward making the choice. Regardless of what steps get them to saying "yes", being ready with a plan for treatment is vital. In the time it takes to make arrangements they could change their mind. This is why it's so important for the family to find a good treatment program -- even before the addict agrees.

Primary topic: Codependency

2,167 views4.5/5 (2)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Prescription and Over the Counter Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is the most rapidly increasing drug abuse among teens. In 2009, more than one third of teens said they can get prescription drugs to get high within a day; nearly one in five could get them within an hour. Parents set the example and help to create the beliefs their children develop about drug use. Parents must teach their teens that using over-the-counter or prescription medications to get high or alter their mood, is just as dangerous as illegal drugs. It is also against the law for an individual to use prescription medication without being properly prescribed.

Primary topic: Codependency

1,523 views3.5/5 (2)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

How Do You Forgive an Addict

As an author and speaker on co-addiction, and as a wife of a recovering drug-addict, one of the most common questions I get is how do you forgive? It is understandable that after all of the lies, betrayal, and pain that come with addiction that loved ones would have a difficult time forgiving. It can seem unjustifiable. After everything the addict has subjected you to, why should they be forgiven?

Primary topic: Codependency

2,601 views5/5 (1)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Relapse - What Families Can Do For Prevention

The problem of relapse remains the major challenge in recovery. Because addiction alters the brain, the recovering addict may deal with drug-related memories, strong drug cravings, and diminished impulse control. This leaves them vulnerable to relapse even years after being abstinent.

Primary topic: Codependency

1,805 views4/5 (3)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

How to Listen to Your Dreams For Guidance

Are you taking advantage of the incredible insight of your dreams? If not, you should be. Your dreams are full of wisdom. It is one of the ways that your inner guide speaks to you. Some people don't think that they dream, but everybody does. Many times, dreams are just forgotten within moments of waking up.

Primary topic: Codependency

6,421 views

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Enabling - When Helping is Actually Hurting

It is difficult to be in a relationship with an addict and not get sucked into enabling behavior. When somebody you love is suffering with an illness or a disease you naturally want to help. As a result, loved ones often step in to save the addict from the devastating consequences of their actions.

Primary topic: Codependency

1,924 views5/5 (1)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

How the Art of Pampering Can Improve Your Self-Esteem

Most women, from the time they were little girls, were raised to be caretakers. We learned early on that we should be sweet, play nice, and put others first. While the boys around us were playing cops and robbers, we were busy playing house. We were taking care of our dolls and cooking dinner for our imaginary husbands. It is no surprise that we then grow up feeling like we have to put everybody’s needs before our own.

Primary topic: Codependency

3,916 views4/5 (2)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

What Families Can Do To Help a Loved One To Sustained Recovery

So your loved one finally accepts treatment. A wave of relief washes over the family. There is a glimmer of hope for a future free of the chaos. But the battle isn't over. Treatment is just the beginning. There is no cure for addiction. a good treatment program teaches the addict how to avoid the pitfalls of relapse, but it can not eliminate the cravings to use.

Primary topic: Codependency

1,665 views5/5 (1)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Mind Games

Yesterday afte oon I was in my car, and a song that I hadn’t heard since I was a kid came on the radio. I was surprised that I could remember every word. Where had I been storing that? I started thinking about how amazing the mind is. It houses all of the memories of our past, and then, as quickly as hearing the tune of a song, can retrieve them as though they happened yesterday.

Primary topic: Codependency

1,879 views2/5 (5)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Addiction - Surviving the Holidays

The holidays can be a magical time for families. It is a time for wonderful parties, great food, bonding, reminiscing about the past, and gift giving. Family members often travel great lengths to be together. For many people, it is the only time of year that their family is all together as one.

Primary topic: Codependency

3,199 views5/5 (3)

By Lisa EspichRecently published1 topic

Addiction Recovery - What Families Need to Know

How can he be so selfish? He can clearly see how much pain he’s causing - why doesn’t he care? I can’t take the stress any longer. He’s destroying all of our dreams. Our lives have become Hell. Isn’t he tired of living this way? These are the typical thoughts that run through your mind when you love a person with a drug or alcohol dependency. You can’t understand why he continues on such a destructive path. Why does he make so many bad choices? Why does he cause so much pain to his family and loved ones?

Primary topic: Codependency

2,529 views5/5 (2)

Back to top ↑