Tag: addiction

Corner Life

Valerie Vaughn

A junkie coworker of mine steals cars and drives them to drug clinics to score his methadone fix. He’s always on time because no one wears a watch, at least not around this place where time steals value minutes away from stationary life. Digital idiots we’ve become always looking down, Read more

Valerie Vaughn

Valerie Vaughn is a poet, writer, and author. A native of central Pennsylvania, she received her Bachelor's of Arts in History from Mary Baldwin College. She is a contributor to Poets Unlimited, Crossing Genres, and Extra Newsfeed at Medium. Her works appear in narratorINTERNATIONAL Anthologies Volumes 2 and 3, where she is an Editor's Pick Recipient.

’89

Richard DeFino

In a picture that dates back to 89’, my mother holds me close, my brother as well. She cradles us on top of a bar stool, points at the camera and smiles. She thinks this is love. But this is a disaster. This is hatred, cultivating, soon to blossom into Read more

Richard DeFino

Ricky De Fino grew up in New York City and currently resides in Buffalo NY. When he isn’t writing about his anxiety and his crazy Bronx upbringing, he enjoys watching countless hours of television with his wife Andrea, cat Bebe and dog Zeke. Two years sober, good coffee and veganism keeps him sane. His work can be found in Two Cities Review, tNY Press, Purple Pig Lit, Dialougal and Cycatrix Press.

I Think My Obsession Made You Feel Bad About Your Body

Ashley Carroll

I’ve written countless words that have made their way onto the internet in a multitude of public to quasi-private forums. I’ve blogged for long stretches in three separate places. I’ve nurtured the social media outlets. I engage in as many safe-enough spaces for me to represent the most authentic view Read more

Ashley Carroll

Ashley Carroll is currently on a stress-induced break. She is a mom of two, a wife, a government employee (bridging bureaucracy and the domestic violence field), food and fitness enthusiast & health advocate. She has a significant traumatic history as a younger person in the mental health system. She has spent almost a decade negotiating her unique journey through "recovery." Ashley is using this time to make peace with carbs (and her body). She is a huge fan of Brene Brown. She hopes to foster a connection with like-minded, truth-telling women. She has become obsessed with astrology, and the need to let go of perfectionism and the fear that's limited her previously. Ashley is embracing vulnerability by doing things that scare the shit out of her like writing a bio in the third person. Or writing at all. Ashley posts lots of pictures and words about day-to-day life #risingstrong (if you will). You can find her right now on Instagram @robust_ly

Video Gaming Addiction: A real threat?

Erin Righetti

We all know the stories. The Korean couple who left their new baby to starve nearly to death while they “fed” and cared for their online baby. The warfare gaming addiction of autistic Newtown mass murderer Adam Lanza. No one wants to imagine the horror. An article by Jack Flanagan Read more

Erin Righetti

Erin Righetti is a professional writer across multiple media channels. She has over 20 years experience as a freelance writer/reporter, and has been a contributor to newspapers and online magazines and blogs. Erin works as a public relations and social media strategist in Carlsbad, California.

BDSM and Swinging

S. P. Owen

In the summer of 2008, I left my life-in-law and felt inspired to write down my “sexcapades” as a legal outlaw. Perhaps my inspiration was this escalating sensual life with my new boyfriend, Leonard. Escalating? How could my sex life possibly be escalating?! Until I met Leonard, I thought I Read more

S. P. Owen

Shanti is a writer, relationship coach, and an advocate for women. She was formerly an 80's super model (known as Patty Owen) regularly featured in Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan magazines. Shanti was also an upcoming actress that appeared on popular TV shows like NBC’s Miami Vice. Shanti left Hollywood due to sexual harassment issues in the industry and personal abandonment issues, rekindled when dozens of her closest friends died from the AIDS epidemic. In search of healing, Shanti went on a deep spiritual journey for several years. During this period she adopted the name “Shanti” which means “peace” in Sanskrit. Shanti is deeply committed to us finding peace on earth as individuals and through our intimate relationships. To that end, she has been immersed in over 33 years of research and training in transformational, spiritual, sensual, and relationship modalities. Shanti’s major areas of study include Dan Fauci's Mastery of Self Expression, Werner Erhard's EST training, Transcendental Meditation, Louise L. Hay, More University, The Landmark Forum, David Deida, Kabbalah, Personal Dynamics, and numerous yoga and tantra programs. Twice divorced, Shanti keeps connected with both her ex-husbands and fosters close relationships with her father, sister, 22-year-old daughter, and her many close friends. Shanti's mother passed in 2011 and with her death came the death of Shanti's denial. Shanti finally got clear that she had a sex/love addiction that was unconsciously guiding her every decision, many of them very dangerous. Shanti is extremely grateful that her mother's death shook her up and woke her up. You can read more about Shanti's awakening in her upcoming book, Memoirs of a Legal Courtesan: A sex/love addict's journey into wholeness... For up-to-date information on Shanti’s books and TV appearances go to www.supermodeldatingcoach.com and www.legalcourtesan.com