Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken

Shame

Can Shame Really Be Good for Us?

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on May 20, 2024

There are calls to rehabilitate shame to counter increasing societal shamelessness. Is this a viable strategy or will it harm people already struggling with shame?

There are calls to rehabilitate shame to counter increasing societal shamelessness. Is this a viable strategy or will it harm people already struggling with shame?

Relationships

The Lethal Combination of Toxic Relationships and Addiction

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on April 12, 2024

Substance use disorders and toxic relationships are a potent mix that can be life-threatening. A SUD can be a toxic relationship to oneself.

Substance use disorders and toxic relationships are a potent mix that can be life-threatening. A SUD can be a toxic relationship to oneself.

Workplace Dynamics

Substance Use Disorders and the Work Place

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on November 23, 2023

Substance use disorders for nearly every drug have increased since the pandemic, which presents challenges to employers and workplace dynamics.

Substance use disorders for nearly every drug have increased since the pandemic, which presents challenges to employers and workplace dynamics.

Addiction

Involuntary Commitment for Substance Use Disorder?

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on June 23, 2023

Personal Perspective: Is involuntary commitment an effective way to help a person struggling with a Substance Use Disorder or does it risk other harms?

Personal Perspective: Is involuntary commitment an effective way to help a person struggling with a Substance Use Disorder or does it risk other harms?

Addiction

The Trouble With "Sobersplaining"

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on May 5, 2023

Why do some people authorize themselves to become the expert on others' struggles with addiction and recovery? The best intentions can have troubling consequences.

Why do some people authorize themselves to become the expert on others' struggles with addiction and recovery? The best intentions can have troubling consequences.

Addiction

Multiple Paths to Addiction Recovery

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on May 1, 2023

There is no one right, best, or true method for recovery from addiction. The goodness of a recovery program depends on whether it works for a person.

There is no one right, best, or true method for recovery from addiction. The goodness of a recovery program depends on whether it works for a person.

Addiction

How to Start Looking for Treatment Center Information

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on December 26, 2022

Looking online for information about addiction treatment? You may be heading into deep waters of unsubstantiated claims, overblown promises, and predatory practices.

Looking online for information about addiction treatment? You may be heading into deep waters of unsubstantiated claims, overblown promises, and predatory practices.

Stress

Women’s Stress Can Skyrocket During the Holidays

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on December 11, 2022

Women are expected to maintain most of the holiday traditions. It can come at a high cost to their mental and physical health.

Women are expected to maintain most of the holiday traditions. It can come at a high cost to their mental and physical health.

Alcoholism

Is a "Damp" Approach to Drinking Right for You?

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on December 4, 2022

Many people are willing to reduce or change their alcohol consumption but not be abstinent. Is this a good thing?

Many people are willing to reduce or change their alcohol consumption but not be abstinent. Is this a good thing?

Relationships

Why You Can't Make Someone Else Change

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on July 26, 2022

Every person has their own habitual center of personal energy that another cannot make you change.

Every person has their own habitual center of personal energy that another cannot make you change.

Relapse

Common Reasons for Relapse

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on June 3, 2022

Summertime can be hard for people who struggle with alcoholism. Self-knowledge may protect against relapse.

Summertime can be hard for people who struggle with alcoholism. Self-knowledge may protect against relapse.

Motivation

Affirmations and Rewards Help People to Quit Drugs

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on May 10, 2022

Contingency Management helps people to quit by restoring moral goods such as self-respect, dignity, and autonomy.

Contingency Management helps people to quit by restoring moral goods such as self-respect, dignity, and autonomy.

Persuasion

How a Master Manipulator Creates Their Own Reality

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on April 22, 2022

Master manipulators create The Manipulatrix, which is a manufactured reality that destroys the autonomy, self-respect, and self-worth of the manipulated.

Master manipulators create The Manipulatrix, which is a manufactured reality that destroys the autonomy, self-respect, and self-worth of the manipulated.

Sexual Abuse

Warring Minds and Bodies of Abuse Survivors

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on June 14, 2021

A common therapeutic recommendation for survivors of abuse is to integrate their minds and bodies. Not all may be able to do so. Does this mean they are unwell?

A common therapeutic recommendation for survivors of abuse is to integrate their minds and bodies. Not all may be able to do so. Does this mean they are unwell?

Trauma

Childhood Trauma Is a Moral Emergency

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on June 3, 2021

When the essential arts of personhood are delayed or diminished in childhood, people may struggle to have self-worth and respect. Others may treat them as lesser moral agents.

When the essential arts of personhood are delayed or diminished in childhood, people may struggle to have self-worth and respect. Others may treat them as lesser moral agents.

Loneliness

3 Types of Deep, Abiding Loneliness

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on April 13, 2021

You can lose yourself and know it. You can lose yourself and not know it. Each is a cause of great anguish.

You can lose yourself and know it. You can lose yourself and not know it. Each is a cause of great anguish.

Sex

What Role Does Sexual Compulsion Play in Violence Against Women?

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on March 19, 2021

Did sex addiction, or racism and sexism, play a role in the Atlanta mass murder? What if sexual compulsion is a product of racism and sexism?

Did sex addiction, or racism and sexism, play a role in the Atlanta mass murder? What if sexual compulsion is a product of racism and sexism?

Identity

There Are Not “Real Racists” and the Rest of Us

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on March 18, 2021

It is tempting to think that just because people do not commit overtly racist acts, we’re not racist. Resist that temptation.

It is tempting to think that just because people do not commit overtly racist acts, we’re not racist. Resist that temptation.

Addiction

Joining and Leaving QAnon Are Conversion Processes

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on February 17, 2021

Membership in ideological groups alters a person’s habitual center of personal energy. Leaving does too.

Membership in ideological groups alters a person’s habitual center of personal energy. Leaving does too.

Alcoholism

How to Talk to People About Their Alcohol or Drug Use

Peg O'Connor Ph.D. on January 1, 2021

Too many people believe an intervention will make people immediately change their drug or alcohol use.

Too many people believe an intervention will make people immediately change their drug or alcohol use.