Is abuse related to addiction?
  Breaking Free Chizuk #1372  
In Today's Issue
Image of the Day: You are NOT your mistakes
Announcements: Your help needed in new development
Q & A: Is abuse related to addiction?
Image of the Day: Support GYE with a Shopping Spree
Links: Rabbi Twerski and the Lubavitcher Rebbe on kosher meditation
12 Step Attitude: The 12-Steps in Practice
Torah: And from my flesh, I shall see G-d
90 Day Journey
Click below to update your 90 day chart
Still Clean Had a fall
Image of the Day
You are NOT your mistakes
You are NOT your mistakes
Your help needed in new development

We'd like to create a mobile APP for people to get instant chizuk when they are triggered. It will have Inspirational images, sayings, Turn-Off images, as well as short, motivational thoughts of inspiration.

We're looking for your help. Please send us your short motivational thoughts, images, sayings etc. Especially the ones that you found most powerful in your OWN journey. Send them to: eyes.guard@gmail.com

Thank you.

Q & A

To have your thoughts on the matter heard, email us!

Is abuse related to addiction?
I was sexually abused as a youngster. Does that make me more prone to addiction?

There are 3 reasons why sexual abuse can play a strong role in sexual addiction later on in life.

1) The abuse leaves emotional scars that remain in the person's subconscious for life. Such a person may feel pain deep down, making them more prone to using "self-medicating" behaviors that help sooth their inner pain.

2) When a person is abused, they are helpless and lack control over their circumstances. Later in life, this person may attempt to assert "control" by sexually acting-out by themselves. Subconsciously, they are seeking to regain a feeling of "control" over what they felt was out of their control, by using the same behavior that was done to them. (This is also why many abused tragically become abusers themselves).

3) As we can see in the excerpt below, early exposure to any drug makes the user much more at risk. The sexual abuse exposed the victim to sexuality prematurely.

From an article on Retorno.com, re - the risk factors of addiction:

Individuals who are predisposed to addiction, impulsivity, compulsivity, depression or anxiety – usually thanks to a combination of genetic and environmental influences – have added risk and need to be extremely careful.

Studies show that genetic factors can increase or decrease the risk for addiction, usually by altering the ways in which a particular substance or activity is experienced in the body and brain. Genetic makeup also plays into many psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, among others. And it's well-known that individuals dealing with these emotionally painful issues often choose to compulsively “self-medicate” with an addictive substance or behavior.

Nevertheless, genetics are not entirely to blame. In fact, research indicates that environmental factors are equally at play. For instance, if someone was neglected or abused in childhood their risk of addiction jumps, just as it does if they were exposed to addictive substances or behaviors early in life. (The younger a person is when he or she first uses an addictive substance or starts an addictive behavior, the greater the risk of developing an addiction.) So it appears that most addicts become addicted thanks to a convergence of risk factors – typically a mixture of genetic predisposition, poor parenting and early exposure to the drug and its effects.

Image of the Day

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the busiest shopping days of the year. This is a great opportunity to increase Gye Corp's AmazonSmile donations. 

Please remember to shop at smile.amazon.com!

Support GYE with a Shopping Spree
Support GYE with a Shopping Spree

In November, it being the 11th month, many 12-step groups are studying the 11th step, which states: "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with G-d, as we understood Him, praying only for the knowledge of His Will for us and the power to carry it out."

We thought this article to be well-suited for the discussion of this step.

Includes a video of the Lubavtcher Rebbe talking about mediation in 1970's.

Rabbi Twerski and the Lubavitcher Rebbe on kosher meditation
12 Step Attitude

Download the GYE app to read this article in its entirety without needing the internet.

The 12-Steps in Practice
Part 1/2
Another great piece by Boruch explaining what the 12-Step groups provide that Musar Sefarim don't.
By Boruch

Addicts have a problem -- their addiction. I had a problem -- my addiction and my inability to overcome it.

Read more
And from my flesh, I shall see G-d
By GYE Corp.

It is brought down from the Chassidic Masters: "MiBeSaRI" Echeze Elokah - "And from my flesh, I shall see G-d," (Iyov, 19:26.) - The word "MiBeSaRI" is an acronym for "Mi'Toras Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai" - In other words, from the Torah of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, I shall see G-d. (Zohar Bereshit 94a) 
Another explained the verse: "And from my flesh, I shall see G-d," (Iyov, 19:26.) What is the meaning of "And from my flesh?" It would be more proper to say, "from my inner essence." However, "my flesh" is to be understood literally (as being the place of the Brit,) as in the verse, "and the holy flesh is removed from thee," (Yirmeyahu, 11:15,) and also, "and my Brit shall be in your flesh," (Bereshit, 17:13.) 

Read article
Do you think you may have a porn addiction?


Porn Anonymous (PA)

Sexaholics Anonymous (SA)

Please help us continue helping others!
Contribute Securely Online
(Anonymous recurring credit card donations possible)
Quick Links