Families

At one time, critical thinking skills were a required part of education in many schools. I have the impression that’s no longer the case. Too bad, because faced with a flood of contradictory arguments, we need them more than ever.

If you love someone who is struggling with addiction or alcoholism, you can help their journey to recovery by learning some simple communications rules.

All successful negotiations depend on two outcomes, whether you’re dealing with your 15 year old, or mediating a border dispute in the Middle East.

Fifteen-year-old Andrea is out of control. She drinks, abuses drugs, and dances illegally at a strip club. What can Mom do about it? The answer is surprising.

It might be a friend, or a colleague. Maybe an ex, or a sort-of relationship. Might be a relative who doesn’t live with you. In any case, their problems are draining YOU of energy and time, and the stress is mounting. It’s a toxic relationship.

Eventually, things get so bad that the details become irrelevant and the objections seem unimportant.

Always good to collect opinions from others. But when you feel you’ve talked to enough people, try applying ‘impact analysis’ to the issue.

It’s not really surprise or shock that convinces the alcoholic to seek treatment. It’s a combination of influence and leverage.

Our longstanding practice of branding anyone who drank again a ‘failure’ kept us from recognizing very real success right under our noses.

One large survey of alcoholics found that some 14% had actually become dependent within a year of the first drink. The percentage almost doubled when the time period was extended to two years.