I always liked partying. I liked the way drinking made me feel. I knew I drank more than most of my friends, but I didn’t think too much about it. I played around with some drugs, but I never went to great efforts to seek them out. I was pretty much content with drinking. It […]
Once a drunk, always a drunk. How many times have we heard colleagues say this about another lawyer after his or her latest escapade, brush with the law, or embarrassing scene at an office party? Unfortunately, in many segments of society, including the law, this belief is stated as a fact, despite evidence compiled over […]
Following is the story of a North Carolina Bar member. In the spirit of avoiding pride in recovery, it is provided to you anonymously. While in my first year of law school my father passed away from hard living and booze. I was terribly angry with him at death too. Not only was there the hurt […]
Two lawyers who were very respected members of the Bar were both patients seeing the same counselor. Each had come because of loneliness, depression, and burnout. Neither was aware that the other was also seeking help. As the sessions progressed both men talked about their deep caring about many of their clients and their love […]
Johnny Carson was once asked why he quit drinking and his response was, “I don’t drink well.” This definition certainly fits me, although for many years I was able to drink quite well and alcohol was my solution not my problem. In my late years of drinking, I managed to brighten up the whole room […]
The stories of fellow alcoholics are the fresh minted coins of survival. You pass yours to the next person in the hope he or she will see a gleam of their own life and find the treasure of recovery. This is the story of a woman PALS member offered anonymously in that tradition. Call PALS […]
We tend to respond to issues because of media attention to public figures. Recently, William Bennett, former cabinet secretary and spokesman for virtue and morality, has come under fire because of reported eight million dollars in gambling losses at various casinos over the years. But Bennett’s financial losses from gambling are part of a much […]
One of the great changes in our culture over the last decades has been the shift in our understanding of will. Psychology has grown as a field with many varying schools, but for the most part, the field does not discuss or consider the idea of will. Starting with Freud, will was repudiated as the […]
One of the hallmarks of our country is its commitment to freedom. Many immigrants to America came here in order to pursue religious freedom. Much of our economic growth and success is attributed to our system of economic freedom. We place a high premium on public education and on the opportunity for each person to […]
I want to share with you about the problem of overeating. I could start off with a lot of statistics which you have probably read most of already, and there will be room for some of them later, but I would like to start at the other end of the spectrum. Silvie Granatelli is a […]
Gambling is now legalized in Virginia and South Carolina and a casino thrives in Cherokee. It is logical that there is an increase in problem gambling. Gambling is defined as any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or […]
How can I overcome my lifelong habit of procrastination? What can I do about my partner who is developing a serious drinking problem? How can I breathe new life into my declining practice? How can I get myself organized? Why do I always feel overwhelmed? How can I deal with my overbearing boss? I think […]