Codependency…. No More? In theory?…

I like that they are addressing the changes in treatment. I think this could be misleading for some readers that don’t understand the newest concepts in treatment for Substance use disorders. Changes in language, focus on changing clients motivation, assessing their motivation and readiness for change. Meeting them where they are at, teaching family members healthy boundaries, harm reduction…..

Ect….

But… funny this article post come up, as I do still think the Codependency No More books are valid and have good content in them.

Funny I actually just recommended them to a client yesterday! And actually….. more ironic… a former boss gave them to me years ago… when I was dealing with a roommate situation.

Life has a way of bringing us… Full.Circle!

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xdmgmj/why-the-codependency-myth-of-drug-addiction-needs-to-die-heroin-opioids-abuse?fbclid=IwAR0167ayI3M7DC66_V3ekBFoVcfwZL2l_yep8RemguqPkvVmDeZ-bY2yMjs

#addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawarenes #mindfulness #addictionawareness #addiction #treatment #substanceusedisorder #codependency #copendencynomore #thestruggleisreal #embraceyourself #feedmysoul #healthycopingskills #selfcare #emptyyourmind #healing #sfami #jenz #jenzphelps

What are you waiting for?

Aren’t you tired?

Haven’t you had enough?

Haven’t you wasted enough time and lost enough life moments to this drug?

To this addiction? To this disease?!

Hasn’t your past… haunted you enough…?

When… will you finally allow yourself to sleep?

When will you realize…

This isn’t for you?

That there is a better way,

To deal with the hurt, pain, stress and trauma from your past?

Haven’t you suffered enough?

I see you hurting….

I see you in pain…

I see you trying to numb yourself from feeling anything!

What will it take?

A cold steel cell?

To be locked away?

To have all freedom removed?

Will it be simply by your own hands?

One quick pull of that trigger?

Or will you finally take one last hit…. that finally does you in?…

Tell me…..

When does this madness stop?!!!

I need you to wake up!!!

Before it’s too late…..

Tic, Toc….

Tic, Toc….

Your time, is running out!

You don’t have all these hours and minutes your percieve yourself to own!

Time…. is a true thief!

He slips in & out… without being noticed…

Before you realize it… those precious moments, years, days, hours, minutes, seconds…. they’ll are gone!

How many more of these will you just throw away?

How many more people do you think you can push out of your life?

Look around you….

Who do you see?…

Who is knocking on your door?!

Who is reaching out to you?

Who is worried if you’re ok?….

I see you shaking…. tired…. weary…

I see you…. drained….

Mentally…..

Emotionally…..

I see you…. torn…

Your brain so clouded you don’t know which way to think!

You don’t even know who to trust anymore!

So twisted in your own drug induced reality….

You can’t see what’s truly…

Right here in front of you!

Your new Mistress…

She’s Deadly!

Ice runs through her veins……

Soon…. she will consume you!

And I….

Will no longer recognize…. you!

Aren’t you tired?!

Haven’t you had enough?!

#truth #truthbetold💯 #addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawarenes #addictionisadisease #mentalhealthrecovery #fightstigma #addictionawareness #communitycollaboration #vacpn #CVARR #aart #awareness #talkaboutit #mentalhealth #addiction #sfami #horizonbh #bedford #appomattox #amherst #ourlynchburg #jenzphelps #jenz #feedmysoul #emptyyourmind #thestruggleisreal #love #hope #faith #alanon #narcnon #phototherapy #stopthestigma #treatmentworks

*It Takes A Village*

Funny…. How we change with time! How we evolve, our interests, wants, life goals, dreams, styles: the things we value most; start to fall into their proper place in life!
*Faith, *Family, *Community how we care for ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors all start to tie in together. How you start to see the vital importance of building each other up! How you start to realize the duty of community. How you feel the weight of burden or guilt or obligation at times calling to you when you see or feel a loved one, or friend, or community member falling….
*It Takes A Village* …. We do not grow or evolve or succeed or love in life ALONE!
As humans…. we innately, must have help! We were created & designed for partnerships and sense of community social structure to exist together.
Ego, Pride, Stubborn Will….. they can at times be fuel to propel us forward when kept in prospective!
But they are also the same tools that WILL destroy us, when we fail to humble ourselves to ask for HELP!
So ask yourself…..
What are your Life goals?
Are you meeting them?
Do you need to swallow your Ego, Pride, Stubborn Will?…. to help you meet those goals?
Maybe….
You just needed to step back…
To see that the road block to your success:
Was the very WALL… YOU built!
The help you been wanting, the goals you been trying to reach, have been waiting for you on the other said of that WALL you built…
All along!
Funny thing about *It Takes A Village*
The Village….. also: needs YOU!

A Village is only as strong and good and thriving as it’s weakest or most hurting members…. ! That the funny thing about humans, family, community….! We NEED each other!

#lifegoals #emptyyourmind #embraceyourself #feedmysoul #truth #faith #love #hope #nami #sfami #alanon #addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawarenes #addictionisadisease #mentalhealth #recovery #supportgroups #ourlynchburg #horizonbh #bedford #appomattox #aart #CVARR #amherst #jenz #jenzphelps #findingmybliss #ittakesavillage #stopthestigma #vacpn

War of Emotions

I feel I am at war…

At War with myself….

My Emotions…

My feelings… over, you! Your addiction, your circumstances…… your behaviours….. how I respond to you!…US!

Life!

I am just mixed with emotions….

I go from trying to be patient and understanding….

To simply, mad & angry with you!

So pissed at you!

For this disease!

For how you are allowing it to take over your life!

How you deny help offered!

How you push away the people trying to help you!

How you seek shelter and hide behind people that enable you and employ your behavior!

I am so mad! Pissed! Angry! At you….

At those around you!!!

That keep you stuck in this prison you are building for yourself!

I could scream!!!@#!

I keep trying to break through to you!

I keep trying to reach inside…

To the man I know!

The man I love & adore!

But……

You… drift …

Further, & further away….

You keep letting drugs, & toxic people poison your brain!

I fear….

Before long….

The boy i once knew….

The man…. i love & adore….

Will no longer be there….

He will cease to exist!

Become a ghost of himself….

I fear….

It has already,

Begun!

That turns my anger into sorrow & sadness!

Because I know what life you could have!

I know what you are capable of…

I know the man inside the ghostly shell!

You see…

He has the heart & soul of the boy….

I first loved!

I know…

The good that lines his heart….

I know his true character…

I know him…

As sure as I breathe!

I keep praying…..

He finds his way back to himself…

That he breaks free…

From the bonds of his addiction…

From the chains holding him down surrounded by toxic people!

And finds his way back to me!

#truth #faith #love #hope #nami http://www.sfami.net #sfami #alanon #feedmysoul #truthbetold💯 #addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawarenes #mindfulness #healthycopingskills #selfcare #emptyyourmind #findingmyjoy #thestruggleisreal #sfami #stopthestigma #addictionawareness #mentalillness #addiction #phototherapy #jenzphelps #jenz

Courage To Change!

I have been to meetings over the years in various forms for school; for work; I have ran groups; held family support groups…. But. Recently these have been to help me!
Tonight, I swallowed my pride… and took my first step in overcoming my need to fix everything in everyone’s life I love! … It isn’t easy… especially being a nurse! It’s in your nature to heal! To help! It seems unnatural… to do anything less!
To love someone and not be able to let go of the constant worry. Is also something to do with my need to control things, wanting to be the nurturer, caregiver… when maybe… I should just be a friend…. I don’t have all the answers…. but… I am seeking help! & trying to learn how to cope!!!
That has to be a start!

Love doesn’t fade… pain & hurt do…. wounds, heal… when we allow them to!

#lifegoals #dowork #gettingitdone #milestones #healthycopingskills #selfcare #emptyyourmind #findingmyjoy #thestruggleisreal #embraceyourself #findingmybliss #livingmybestlife #overlookingmyflaws #lettinggoofthepast #followingmymoralcompass #recovery #addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawarenes #mindfulness #sfami #alanon #feedmysoul #truth #faith #love #hope #nami #jenz #jenzphelps

Under a blanket of star filled sky….

Under the blanket of the star filled sky…. i can empty my mind. It’s truly, food for my soul! Spring awaits!
I miss seeing the stars, probably the one thing I miss most about Gladstone…. I swear growing up… I spent endless night lying under the sky… you could almost just reach up & touch the stars… they just seemed to be soo Close!

Can you bring him back to me?

I don’t like it when we fight….

I hate it in fact!

I hate every minute we do not speak…

I hate how you hold your tongue….

I hate the silence!!!

You are far too good at this game!

I hate you for that!

I wear my heart out in the open…

I have been through way too much in life you see…

Far more serious matters,

To dig in over this….

The trivial things….

I will always be blunt!

I am always going to be honest….

I call it how I see it….

I am not so arrogant….

To think, I cannot be corrected!

I am waiting for you!

Waiting for you to speak!

To use your voice…..

When did it fade?

You always were so quick to chime in…

Banter back…. debate….

When did you stop?!

Where is the man,

That was ever soo persistent?

The charmer?

The insatiable flirt?

The light hearted joker?

The boy next door?

The man that pursued me…?

My confident….

The keeper of all my secrets….

The soul; I seek to warm myself by?

Oh yeah…. &

My Best Friend?!

Where? Did he go?

I miss him soo….

Soo, much my heart aches….

Can we find him?

He is my love, you see….

My one, true love!

God…. sent him to me!

Can you please…..

Bring him back to me…….?

#silence #photography #phototherapy #jenzphelps #jenz #thinkingoutloud #feedmysoul #faith #love #emptyyourmind #thestruggleisreal #findingmybliss #livingmybestlife #overlookingmyflaws #lettinggo #couragetochange #sfami #alanon #loveunconditionally

Overthinking….

I get it!

I know myself,

I acknowledge that I overthink;

Every spoken and unspoken word.

Every action between us.

Every silent moment exchanged…

Nothing, truly goes unnoticed!

I am always looking at both sides of the equation.

I can step outside and see your point of view.

I hear what you are saying.

But…

Do you ever…

Hear me?

We go round & round…

The same conversation!

At what point,

Do the walls stay down?

At what point…

Do both sides surrender?

At what end…

Do we decide…

To…

Let go?

Or

Finally…

Begin?

There has to be a common ground.

A starting point.

A place where we both,

Finally agree!

To just move forward…

To take a chance…

To trust in each other!

I can’t do it alone…

You must meet me half way!

That requires a you & I…

Stepping outside those comfortable boxes!

Those gaurded walls…

That hold us tight!

It means….

You take my hand,

You confide in me;

As I have you!

You trust in me;

As I have you!

It means we love unconditionally….

Doesn’t matter what sins,

What flaws,

What transgressions…

Have been committed…

Because when all is said & done.

After all the skeletons have come out…

At the end of the day…

My heart…

Still loves you!

Still wants you!

Still sees you…

For the man that you are,

The man you have always been!

It’s always been you!

Soo….

Yeah!

I might, Overthink things you see…

But…. I also…

Love; oh, so very DEEP!

#overlookingmyflaws #photography #phototherapy #jenzphelps #jenz #thinkingoutloud #feedmysoul #faith #love #emptyyourmind #findingmyjoy #selfcare #mindfulness #healthycopingskills #artistherapeutic #findingmybliss #livingmybestlife #overthinking #unconditionallylovingyou

DEAR John

 

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I am not sure exactly where *Kevin*…. left and when Johnny stepped back in.

I have been so busy, looking beyond that mask…. Looking beyond the hurt, the pain; the self destruction…. I have been too busy sorting through my own chaos of emotions…. I was selfish and self absorbed you see….
I didn’t see you… It’s almost like you step in to protect *Kevin*, when he feels overwhelmed by life, or emotions or circumstances that perhaps he feels are beyond his control. It can’t be easy… to feel alone in the world; hurt by most everyone you ever loved or once trusted…
*Kevin* judges himself the hardest of all… He often forgets the good the lives inside him. The light that shines so brightly it often bursts out like a flame in the darkest of nights…. it draws any lost souls seeking comfort or shelter in…
Of course… *Kevin* just grins…. he burns brighter, warmer and welcomed them all to come sit by his fire….
*Kevin* is comfort, warmth, love for many….
He is loved because he puts a smile in everyone’s heart…. He opens up…. without meaning to… He let’s the wanderers in….
I am starting to see….
I am starting to fear…
That Johnny;
You may never disappear.
I appreciate your purpose….
I respect that you have gaurded him this far.
I fear…
I fear, that he has forgotten….
What it is like to be Simply *Kevin*…..
Dear John;
*Kevin* doesn’t need you anymore….
It’s ok to feel…
It’s ok to hurt….
It’s ok to love!
It’s ok to be scared.
It’s ok to be confused…
It’s ok to simply not have it all figured out yet.
*Kevin* has a voice…
He needs to exercise that more….
Dear John,
You might be surprised to learn; that *Kevin* is actually very articulate and insightful and intellectual. In fact; John, he is far smarter and Cleaver than me!
You see John….
I am slowly and painfully realizing…
I am a lost cause.
I am a hopeless romantic…
I want the impossible….
I believe in the impossible!
I am simply….. unrealistic.
I lost myself; my way, my spirit…..
I am not sure about all that.
But John…..
I don’t think you’re good for *Kevin*!
I might be delusional and hopeless….
I might be quite the FOOL….
I might be in actual Real Love for the first time in my life….
But….
I am if nothing, John… a Realist & honest!
*Kevin*…. doesn’t seem to really want to move on with his life. He is stuck. He seems content with existing in this current state & world….
And well; John…. i… I am not!
I miss my friend! I miss the boy I once knew…. I miss the joy in his heart & soul… He had that John…. he had that before you!
Even with his childhood trauma… he had joy, laughter, & love in his soul!
I know this John… because he shared all of that growing up with me!
You seem to have numbed him…. and I hate it!
He has built this wall that he simply will NOT let me inside… and I hate it!
I hate it;
Because John…
I can see it…
I can see; what *Kevin* is doing….
I love him you see….
It’s simply….
Tearing me apart.
*Kevin* has you to protect him….
*Kevin* has substances to numb himself at times from the world….
I you see, John;
I have boxed myself into a corner…
I have stood on this moral ground of principles…
I took this calling;
To help & serve…
I, being me…..
Took it; seriously…..
I, being me….
Felt the weight, of my choices.
I carried the guilt…
I was & am soo very self aware of my actions….
Soo painfully soo!!!
At times…
It’s agonizing…….
I hurt,
I carry pain,
I want, need, long, lust….
I desire….
I also am simply put…
Human!
John,
I so often feel like *Kevin*, puts me under the Glass dome….
Like, there you go Jen…..
See, I love you!
You, mean soo much to me!
Look….
But…. nobody touch!
Or speak too….
That Glass dome, John…
It’s isolating and suffocating….
It’s cold & lonely!
Simply put…
I am just not…
Meant to be looked at from afar John….
I am not meant to be kept; in a box!
I was made to be played with!
Pushed, touched,
Embraced, loved & explored!
I fear *Kevin*….
Views me as a collectable of sorts…
A gaurded, treasured memory of his past. A friend, and John….
Well….
I love *Kevin* with ALL that I am….
But that simply…. will not do!
Dear John,
It is my deepest hope in life,
That you leave and never return. Because I believe that *Kevin* is safe and no longer needs you!
But I cannot stay up on this shelf under this Glass Dome anymore!
I need someone present; someone that is walking along beside me…. Not someone holding me under glass to protect & preserve…..
Dear John,
I am already BROKEN….
Doesn’t *Kevin* know this….
I just wanted a partner…..

Checkmate….

#addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawarenes #mindfulness #healthycopingskills #love #emptyyourmind #findingmyjoy #selfcare #hope #lettinggo #jenz #jenzphelps #findingmybliss #livingmybestlife #overlookingmyflaws #lettinggoofthepast #followingmymoralcompass #unconditionallylovingyou #couragetochange #sfami #alanon

Final Destination…. Rock Bottom

I could say soo much!

It’s simply too easy!

I could tear you down;

Piece by piece….

I could shred apart;

Every girl before me….

I could!

It would be … sooo easy!

But for what?

What purpose does that serve?

What need does that meet?

My EGO?

That doesn’t need feeding…..

It was my heart….

My heart that craved your attention.

Those stand ins?

They don’t really matter…..

Look at the voids you are trying to fill.

Look at the ways you are trying to numb yourself…

Look….

Look!

Look into the mirror….

Do you even recognize;

The man; starring back?

Hey!

Just in case….

You were wondering….

This,

This is ROCK bottom!

Now….

What are you going to do?

#addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawarenes #mindfulness #healthycopingskills #love #emptyyourmind #thestruggleisreal #addiction #sfami #alanon #couragetochange

Fed up!

Sometimes people push you to your limit…

Its just not a game.

It’s unfortunate….

It’s the only coping skill they know.

Let me push you away….

Before….

You push me out.

The endless games of self harm and selfishness and self destruction people play…..

All because, they are too afraid to admit their own pain, own hurt, accept their own vulnerability…..

The amount of endless and wasted energy people put into these games…

That only create…

More harm,

More isolation,

More self loathing,

More dysfunctional behavior,

Can you imagine….

What if….

They put that energy into…

Healing their wounds?

Loving themselves?

Embracing the love offered to them?

Practicing positive coping skills?

What changes in them,

Their relationships,

Their families,

Community’s,

What positive impact on the world …

There would be?!!

Enough already….

With the very poor, behavior!

#healthycopingskills #healing #selfcare #emptyyourmind #embraceyourself #findingmybliss #livingmybestlife #overlookingmyflaws #lettinggoofthepast #followingmymoralcompass #recovery #addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawarenes #mindfulness #healthychoices #bethechangeyouneed #jenz #jenzphelps