Caroline McGraw

It might sound like a tough question, but just imagine the possibilities. What if you could let go of the thoughts, ideas, and limiting beliefs that have been holding you back from your full potential?

What if you could become the person you'd like to be? What if you could get over your addiction and achieve sobriety? What's holding you back?

"So many of us are leading limited lives not because we have to but because we think we have to."

Many people believe they are who they are, and that they have limited means to change their health or life direction. "It is what it is," they say, "because of my genetic makeup".

Well, maybe not.

Have you ever been in a toxic relationship? Many of us have. How do we know enough is enough? And how are toxic relationships related to addiction?

What happens when your addiction rehab just doesn't work?

“I [did both] a 12 step program and an aversion therapy program. Both, ultimately did not work for me …. It seemed like the most important thing to them was if your insurance covered you and your check would clear.”

“It works if you work it.”

If you’ve been to 12 Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), then chances are good that you have heard this popular program catchphrase. Here’s another variation: “AA will work if you want it to work.”

But is it really true? Is it possible to work a 12 Step program wholeheartedly and have it not work for you?

Do you need to hang your head in shame because of the choices you made in the past, when you were in mental and emotional pain and didn’t know any other way?

Does being completely responsible for your experiences mean that every bad thing that happened to you is your fault?

Did you know that the cells of your body are affected by your thoughts? It’s true. That’s what “the biology of belief” means: that the thoughts racing through your mind on a moment-to-moment basis have the power to build up or tear down your physical and mental health, including addictive tendencies.

12 Step programs have been the standard of care in both outpatient and residential addiction treatment for the better part of the last century.

But if these programs work so well, then why do we see so many people struggling to stay sober after rehab? Why do we see dismal relapse rates?

"That's just the way it is - it's my genes - I can't do anything about it."

Many people believe they are who they are, and that they have limited means to change their health or life direction. "It is what it is," they say, "because of my genetic makeup".

Well, maybe not.

"Anger is the only healthy response to injustice." — Dr Martha Beck