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by Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Director David M. O’Brien

We are well on our way into the holiday season.  Holiday parties are happening and people are making their plans as to where they are going to see the New Year in.  Although this time of year is a joyous one for most of us, it is a time that some find very challenging.  People who struggle with their weight find it hard to keep those extra pounds from mounting up. 

Others who have histories of substance abuse and addiction are exposed to so many more social situations in which alcohol and other drugs are commonplace.  And not necessarily connected to the holiday seasons, other addictions can be seen in so many families – compulsive gambling, work addition, sex or relationship addiction, shopping and spending addiction, and the growing problems with people being addicted to the Internet.

But keeping in the joyful spirit of the holidays, I want to talk about “positive addictions.”  I first came upon this concept when I read the book Positive Addictions by William Glasser (Harper and Row).  Glasser took the concept of “addiction” (the process of becoming dependent on something) and turned it around. 

We all know the effects of “negative” addictions.  Some of us may be struggling with our own demons, whether alcohol, food, drugs or gambling.  Glasser turned the concept 180 degrees by defining positive addictions as the process of becoming dependent on a behavior or an activity which fosters strength and makes our lives more satisfying.

The most common forms of positive addictions are exercise, meditation/prayer, music and forms of artful expression such as painting, quilting or other crafts.  Running, meditation and yoga are the ones that are most robust and about which most research has centered around. 

Glasser cites the results of this research in his book.  Among the results of positive addiction that people experience are: feeling more energy, needing less sleep, good weight control or loss of weight, increased mental strength, more confidence, more creativity, better health, being more tolerant and less angry, and the list goes on. 

In guiding us, Glasser suggests 6 points one should employ in choosing a positive addition.  First, it should be something non-competitive that you can devote approximately an hour a day to.  Second, it should be something that you can do easily and it doesn’t take a great deal of mental effort to do it well.  Third, you should be able to do it alone or rarely with others, but it does not depend on others to do it. 

Fourth, you need to believe that it has some value for you, whether physical, mental or spiritual.  Fifth, you need to believe that if you persist at it you will improve, but this is completely subjective.  You need to be the only one who measures that improvement.  And lastly, the activity must have the quality that you can do it without criticizing yourself.  If you cannot accept yourself during this time the activity will not be addicting.

The benefits of positive addictions are numerous, but it takes time to build up the “addiction.”  For example, Glasser suggests that for running most people take about a year before they cross over from doing it out of duty and dedication to doing it because they want to.  However, the dedication is well worth it for the end game. 

What are you doing for yourself related to positive addictions?

By Community Relations Director Robert Pini

The scandal at Penn State is a vivid illustration of how people remain unclear about their roles and responsibilities in witnessing abuse.

First, here’s the background. According to police indictments and media reports, a former coach is accused of sexually assaulting very young boys. And some individuals who apparently knew about the abuse did nothing on behalf of the victims even though they had the power and opportunity to intervene.

Clearly people need to know what to do when they witness child rape, and how bystanders can support vulnerable children and keep them safe from predators.

The short answer is that bystanders, witnesses, or people who discover abuse need to report it to the police. It’s the law, plain and simple. And it’s the best way to support the victim and stop the abuse.

In recent years, we’ve seen repeatedly how people fail to respond appropriately when they witness or become aware of child sexual abuse. They overlook the abuse, find excuses for it, or imagine they can stop the abuse by being sympathetic with the abuser.

This is especially true when the abuser has an influential position or positive reputation. While we don’t want to see our heroes fail, we clearly cannot overlook child sexual abuse, even when the perpetrator is a greatly admired figure.

Yet in scandal after scandal, people who witness or discover abusive behavior are confused about how to handle it properly and all too often fail to uphold their responsibility to the victim.

Child sexual abuse is a common problem in Bennington County. Abusers are almost always people who know the child well and have the chance to establish trust. And child sexual abuse happens in all socioeconomic classes.

When the abuser is a family member or close relative, it is especially difficult for other family members to hold the guilty person responsible. It may feel like a betrayal to call police on a family member, but contacting police can stop behavior that is extremely damaging to all family members.

An individual who becomes aware of child abuse carries a terrible burden of knowledge that can only be removed by reporting to police. It does not go away with the passing of time.

Sexual abuse can be terribly damaging to children, but quick disclosure to police in Bennington County brings a highly trained team of professionals into action.

Police, child protection, and mental and physical health professionals all work closely together to maximize support to the victim. This rapid, coordinated, and supportive response has the potential to be highly therapeutic to the abused children and their families.

Some even find it possible to move ahead quickly and put the betrayal and hurt behind them.

Discovering or witnessing child sexual abuse can be a very confusing and complicated situation. But the bottom line is a “no brainer.” Reporting it to police is the right thing to do. It helps the victim and gives everyone a chance to move forward with their lives.