Category Archives: Substance Abuse

Delusional Grandiosity and Narcissism

Abuse, Entitlement, Integrity, Lying and Deception, Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Self-Esteem, Social Issues, Spirituality, Substance Abuse, Therapy, , ,

These days we have all kinds of ways to explain people’s dysfunction. And while there are indeed times when a perfectly healthy person’s biochemistry suddenly and for no apparent reason goes kaflooey, and cases where unpredictable tragedy so traumatizes that it temporarily impairs even the most well-adjusted person, more often, a person’s character not only predisposes the problems they experience in life but also exacerbates those problems when they occur.

When Narcissistic Grandiosity Crosses the Line

Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Relationships, Social Issues, Spirituality, Substance Abuse, , , ,

Narcissistic grandiosity is mostly a matter of exaggeration – especially exaggerated self-importance and capability. And, when such grandiosity goes unchecked, it can lead to much bigger problems.

Narcissists Can’t Recognize a Higher Power

Addiction and Recovery, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Responsibility, Social Issues, Spirituality, Substance Abuse, Therapy, , , ,

No one makes a major life course-correction without submitting to a higher power or operating principle. But narcissists have a big problem with that.

Testing Resolve Strengthens Character

Addiction and Recovery, Mental Health, Personality and Character, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Substance Abuse, , , ,

In many ways, character is like a psychological immune system. Stressful things happen to all of us, but when you have a rightly developed will, you can more readily summon the internal resources to weather the storms of life. Still, the strength and solidity of our will must always be tested.

Self-Control in the Age of Addiction

Addiction and Recovery, Mental Health, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychology, Relationships, Social Issues, Substance Abuse, , , ,

Not all undisciplined behavior represents a genuine addiction. And while there are some rare exceptions, most true addictions don’t just develop overnight. There’s a typical pathway to getting “hooked.” And that pathway is littered with many clear warning signs. Healthy characters respect and heed those signs. But underdeveloped characters tend to ignore or disregard them. That’s why character, and mastering character’s “sixth command,” is so important.

Behavior and Impulse Control Disorders – Part 2

Addiction and Recovery, conscience, Neurotics, Personality and Character, Responsibility, Substance Abuse, Therapy, , , , , , ,

It’s an unfortunate reality that when character disturbances either fail to be recognized or are improperly labeled as something else, the problems associated with those disturbances can be “enabled” to continue or even worsen.

Behavior and Impulse Control “Disorders”

Abuse, Aggression, empathy, Entitlement, Mental Health, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Substance Abuse, Therapy, , , ,

If someone’s behavior and impulse control problems are truly a problem of chemistry, then appropriate medication (and supportive counseling) is what’s indicated. But if the problem is primarily one of character, then the person’s way of looking at the world – the various ways they think about things, the attitudes they hold, etc. – all need to be confronted and corrected in within a highly specialized treatment framework.