I am studying Social Work now that I am sober. My past degrees (while using) have helped me some, but not in the job world. I truly believe that most mental health issues and addictions are trauma based, although I believe that there may be a genetic component. It is hard to say. Neither of my parents are addicts, however, on my dad's side alcoholism is huge. That being said, there is also a lot of abuse on his side (generational).
Genetic dysfunction is by definition, trauma, inherited trauma is trauma, nonetheless
We inherit the sins of our fathers and our mothers is quite literal not just metaphorical.
All human behavior is a function of biology and environment. Imbalance or entropy, trauma leads to an imbalance in leverage, love, whatever you might want to call it.
Stability is a natural state if we are not in alignment something is out of balance and it isn’t some mystical thing.
There are four pillars to alignment, body, mind, spirit, and environment. When they’re in dynamic balance, we thrive when they’re out of balance, we don’t.
Disease , dysfunction, whatever you want to call it all fall into one of these four categories and usually breaches boundaries of each.
The medicalization of all illness is an artifact of a scarcity based economy that looks to profit in order to heal. It’s absurd in the extreme.
It is and will change because of people like you who committed to making a difference. I’m happy for your sobriety and thrilled to know you found purpose in your suffering just as I have.
May you enjoy peace and good health all of your days.
Genetic dysfunction is by definition, trauma, inherited trauma is trauma, nonetheless
We inherit the sins of our fathers and our mothers is quite literal not just metaphorical.
All human behavior is a function of biology and environment. Imbalance or entropy, trauma leads to an imbalance in leverage, love, whatever you might want to call it.
Stability is a natural state if we are not in alignment something is out of balance and it isn’t some mystical thing.
There are four pillars to alignment, body, mind, spirit, and environment. When they’re in dynamic balance, we thrive when they’re out of balance, we don’t.
Disease , dysfunction, whatever you want to call it all fall into one of these four categories and usually breaches boundaries of each.
The medicalization of all illness is an artifact of a scarcity based economy that looks to profit in order to heal. It’s absurd in the extreme.
It is and will change because of people like you who committed to making a difference. I’m happy for your sobriety and thrilled to know you found purpose in your suffering just as I have.
May you enjoy peace and good health all of your days.
@joeyjensen1959- Any period of sobriety after 30 years of use is truly remarkable—and 15 months is an incredible achievement. I’m sure your comment about some days being a challenge is an understatement.
@sisyphus has some great insights. I agree that making friends seems to get harder over time—though you'd think it would get easier with experience. Watching my kids strike up conversations and invite other kids to play, even if they've never met before, is a reminder that we can learn a lot from them.
“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety—it’s connection."
This quote is often attributed to Johann Hari, a journalist and author who explores the roots of addiction. The idea is that addiction thrives in isolation, whereas recovery is supported and sustained through meaningful human connection—with others, with oneself, and with a sense of purpose or community. It's a powerful concept that reframes addiction not just as a chemical dependency but as a response to disconnection and emotional pain.
@joeyjensen1959, if you are comfortable doing so, can you share what you have learned over these last 15 months about recovery for you?
@sophie55- @dfb raised several points—was there one in particular that stood out to you?
@joeyjensen1959- Any period of sobriety after 30 years of use is truly remarkable—and 15 months is an incredible achievement. I’m sure your comment about some days being a challenge is an understatement.
@sisyphus has some great insights. I agree that making friends seems to get harder over time—though you'd think it would get easier with experience. Watching my kids strike up conversations and invite other kids to play, even if they've never met before, is a reminder that we can learn a lot from them.
“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety—it’s connection."
This quote is often attributed to Johann Hari, a journalist and author who explores the roots of addiction. The idea is that addiction thrives in isolation, whereas recovery is supported and sustained through meaningful human connection—with others, with oneself, and with a sense of purpose or community. It's a powerful concept that reframes addiction not just as a chemical dependency but as a response to disconnection and emotional pain.
@joeyjensen1959, if you are comfortable doing so, can you share what you have learned over these last 15 months about recovery for you?
@sophie55- @dfb raised several points—was there one in particular that stood out to you?
You can't even imagine how much your support means to me...my family gave up on meits been many many years since I heard from them...but the good news is that I'm clean and still in good health. Thank you and God bless you.
Haven't been on in a while...I've fallen off the wagon...so to speak...sorry to disappoint myself ...i fight so many 😈 demons..ashamed is an understatement.. will I ever get it together.....#pitiful #addiction #struggling
@joeyjensen1959- Any period of sobriety after 30 years of use is truly remarkable—and 15 months is an incredible achievement. I’m sure your comment about some days being a challenge is an understatement.
@sisyphus has some great insights. I agree that making friends seems to get harder over time—though you'd think it would get easier with experience. Watching my kids strike up conversations and invite other kids to play, even if they've never met before, is a reminder that we can learn a lot from them.
“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety—it’s connection."
This quote is often attributed to Johann Hari, a journalist and author who explores the roots of addiction. The idea is that addiction thrives in isolation, whereas recovery is supported and sustained through meaningful human connection—with others, with oneself, and with a sense of purpose or community. It's a powerful concept that reframes addiction not just as a chemical dependency but as a response to disconnection and emotional pain.
@joeyjensen1959, if you are comfortable doing so, can you share what you have learned over these last 15 months about recovery for you?
@sophie55- @dfb raised several points—was there one in particular that stood out to you?
It takes time to get clean...it's hard at first...sometimes, actually many times I failed, but I didn't give up, you have to have a purpose and make goals ,try to stay positive pray for strength...have faith, hope and charity....my battle is not over yet.
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Genetic dysfunction is by definition, trauma, inherited trauma is trauma, nonetheless
We inherit the sins of our fathers and our mothers is quite literal not just metaphorical.
All human behavior is a function of biology and environment. Imbalance or entropy, trauma leads to an imbalance in leverage, love, whatever you might want to call it.
Stability is a natural state if we are not in alignment something is out of balance and it isn’t some mystical thing.
There are four pillars to alignment, body, mind, spirit, and environment. When they’re in dynamic balance, we thrive when they’re out of balance, we don’t.
Disease , dysfunction, whatever you want to call it all fall into one of these four categories and usually breaches boundaries of each.
The medicalization of all illness is an artifact of a scarcity based economy that looks to profit in order to heal. It’s absurd in the extreme.
It is and will change because of people like you who committed to making a difference. I’m happy for your sobriety and thrilled to know you found purpose in your suffering just as I have.
May you enjoy peace and good health all of your days.
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1 ReactionThank you and you as well.
What type of meds for this did you use?
Hello @sophie55. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
@joeyjensen1959- Any period of sobriety after 30 years of use is truly remarkable—and 15 months is an incredible achievement. I’m sure your comment about some days being a challenge is an understatement.
@sisyphus has some great insights. I agree that making friends seems to get harder over time—though you'd think it would get easier with experience. Watching my kids strike up conversations and invite other kids to play, even if they've never met before, is a reminder that we can learn a lot from them.
“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety—it’s connection."
This quote is often attributed to Johann Hari, a journalist and author who explores the roots of addiction. The idea is that addiction thrives in isolation, whereas recovery is supported and sustained through meaningful human connection—with others, with oneself, and with a sense of purpose or community. It's a powerful concept that reframes addiction not just as a chemical dependency but as a response to disconnection and emotional pain.
@joeyjensen1959, if you are comfortable doing so, can you share what you have learned over these last 15 months about recovery for you?
@sophie55- @dfb raised several points—was there one in particular that stood out to you?
Hello @gailmalloy. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
@heartbeatz22- What specific medication did you try for alcohol? How have things been going for you over the past couple of years?
@gailmalloy- Are you asking about medications for yourself or someone else?
You can't even imagine how much your support means to me...my family gave up on meits been many many years since I heard from them...but the good news is that I'm clean and still in good health. Thank you and God bless you.
Haven't been on in a while...I've fallen off the wagon...so to speak...sorry to disappoint myself ...i fight so many 😈 demons..ashamed is an understatement.. will I ever get it together.....#pitiful #addiction #struggling
It takes time to get clean...it's hard at first...sometimes, actually many times I failed, but I didn't give up, you have to have a purpose and make goals ,try to stay positive pray for strength...have faith, hope and charity....my battle is not over yet.