Ansel Oliver Advising

“ Addiction is a substance or behavior that interferes with life and relationships and creates a dependency on itself.” —John Townsend Possible addictions Alcohol Approval from others Attention Cell phone/internet/technology Drugs Exercise Food/junk food Gambling/lottery Gossip Health practices (extreme) Investing/stock market/day-trading Lust/sex/pornography Lying Ministry/volunteering/helping News/reading/fantasy novels Pain/cutting Shopping Social media Theology/philosophy (obsessing) Video games Videos/TV/movies Work/achievement/creativity   Addiction is often an unhealthy soothing mechanism to cover pain. So seek to learn what that underlying pain is and how it can be remedied in a healthy way. Therapy can help. The time to seek help is now. Don’t let this get out of hand and experience heartache and regret because of lost time, relationships, health, and money. Seek help if you even suspect you might have an issue with som...

Are you in an abusive situation, work environment, or relationship? Abuse can happen in many forms: Verbal abuse/putting down on you/shouting/name-calling Emotional abuse/coercion/belittling/lying/threats Gaslighting/trying to make you think you’re the problem/blaming you Bullying Abandonment/neglect at crucial times Letting things slide/not addressing poor behavior Excuses/denying or minimizing the problem Not backing you up as promised/repeated broken promises Stalking Physical abuse, such as hitting, slapping, grabbing/squeezing, or kicking Sexual harassment/sexually abusive or pushy Spiritual abuse/religiously manipulative/taking God’s name in vain for directives  Narcissism abuse—constant criticism, projecting, gaslighting, coercion, humiliation Abuse can come from anyone: Employer/boss/supervisor Colleague  Church member/elder/pastor Family member Friend/acquaintance/community member Spouse or dating partner Write it down. Write down the things the abuser is saying or d...