Author Archives: paulascimeca

Benign versus harmful neglect

In an age where people tend to rush about trying to perform everything as quickly as possible, there is precious little time given to reflecting on a situation prior to taking action.  Even pausing long enough to consider pros and cons … Continue reading

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Tolerance versus hyperalgesia and substance use disorders

Most individuals who have recovered from alcohol or other drug addictions understand all too well the meaning of the word tolerance.  It is that phenomenon whereby individuals require more of a substance to get the same physical or emotional response … Continue reading

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Maximizing The Blessing of Distractions

Capitalizing on the brain’s ability to be distracted can help maintain and extend recovery. This benefit can be found in the art and continued practice of deferring, if only for a few precious, yet vital minutes, the action of reaching … Continue reading

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The Blessing of Distractions

Although most of us avoid distractions as much as possible, they can, at times, be a wonderful gift.  Seeing such natural occurrences as a wandering mind in a positive light can not only be helpful in fostering a growing acceptance … Continue reading

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Untaxed Marketable Assets

Protecting and developing your most marketable assets is a priority for most people these days.  When most individuals ponder the things they possess that are of greatest value, many inspect their wallet, bank statement or 401k.  Some may look to … Continue reading

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Holiday Rushing, But To Where?

The holiday season always seems even more time-pressured than all the other times of the year.  Be it shopping for the “perfect” gifts, planning more extravagant meals, baking holiday goodies, or visiting friends and relatives, calendars are bursting forth, more … Continue reading

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Subtle Holiday Aromas Can Provoke An Unwanted Response

One December day twenty-two years ago, I found myself in a local garden center, shopping for Christmas tree lights.  You know the kind; the ones which emit that soft glow, and highlight the glisten of ornaments and the glint of … Continue reading

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Like Sobriety, Thanksgiving Is Not An Event

Although many think of Thanksgiving as a one-day event that heralds the day before spectacular holiday sales, at its very best, Thanksgiving is a lifelong process.  Like sobriety, Thanksgiving is cultivated.  Both from a historical perspective, begin small, like mustard … Continue reading

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Successful Substance Use Disorder Interventions

Looking more closely at interventions which are performed by loved ones to alleviate problems with alcohol and other drugs, there are some finer points which warrant careful consideration. Aspects such as the timing, the type and amount of preparation to … Continue reading

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“Why Can’t This Just Be A Dream?”

Recently I received one of the most compelling emails I have ever received.  The subject line was, “Why Can’t This Just Be A Dream?”  Moved beyond words by the writer’s genuine expression of emotion, candor and clarity, it was written … Continue reading

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