#men’s addiction treatment center

[tomjefferys1990]

Men's Addiction Treatment Center: Your Path to Lasting Recovery

At Rippling Waters, we understand that addiction affects every part of a man’s life—physically, mentally, and emotionally. As a leading men’s addiction treatment center, we are dedicated to creating an environment that empowers men to reclaim control over their lives, find inner peace, and rebuild a fulfilling future. Located on a serene 400-acre property in the Catskills, Rippling Waters offers specialized, personalized treatment that focuses on holistic healing, addressing the core issues that fuel addiction.

1. Why Choose a Men’s Addiction Treatment Center?

Men experience addiction differently than women, often facing unique societal pressures and stigmas around mental health and addiction. They may struggle with expressing emotions, coping with trauma, or finding support systems. At Rippling Waters, our men's addiction treatment center provides a men-only environment that eliminates distractions and promotes an atmosphere of camaraderie, support, and understanding. Here, men can openly share their experiences and challenges, gaining strength from each other’s journeys.

2. A Holistic Approach to Healing

Our center integrates traditional therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) with holistic practices like yoga, meditation, and ecotherapy. These therapies go beyond treating addiction by addressing the underlying mental health issues and stressors that contribute to substance dependency. With a combination of group therapy, individual counseling, and experiential therapies, we aim to foster healing that extends beyond the physical aspect of addiction.

3. Equine Therapy and Nature’s Role in Recovery

Rippling Waters offers equine therapy and ecotherapy as part of our comprehensive approach to recovery. Equine therapy allows men to work with horses in a supportive environment, encouraging them to develop patience, empathy, and self-awareness. Our 400-acre sanctuary also provides numerous opportunities for eco-therapy, with activities that promote mindfulness, reduce stress, and reconnect individuals with nature. These activities help men gain new perspectives, reframe challenges, and cultivate a stronger sense of self-worth and resilience.

4. Experienced, Compassionate Staff

Our team is composed of experienced professionals dedicated to guiding men on their journey toward recovery. With compassion and expertise, our therapists and counselors work with each individual to develop personalized treatment plans that align with their unique needs. Every aspect of our center, from the therapy sessions to the supportive community, is designed to promote lasting change.

5. Building a Foundation for Lasting Recovery

Recovery is more than overcoming addiction; it’s about building a new life filled with purpose, resilience, and connection. At Rippling Waters, men engage in life-skills training and relapse prevention strategies to prepare them for life beyond our center. We believe that recovery is an ongoing journey and provide the tools and support needed for men to sustain their progress and build a fulfilling, addiction-free future.

Begin Your Journey at Rippling Waters

At Rippling Waters, our mission is to empower men to overcome addiction and find the strength to live fully and purposefully. If you’re ready to start this transformative journey, we’re here to help every step of the way. Our men’s addiction treatment center offers a safe, welcoming space for healing and growth. Reach out today to learn more about how we can support you in achieving lasting recovery.

For more information, please contact us.

[athenaluxus]

How Does Alcohol Addiction Affects Men’s Health?

Alcohol addiction, a pervasive issue affecting millions worldwide, remains a silent epidemic that permeates every aspect of an individual’s life, including their health. Men, in particular, grapple with unique challenges in the face of alcohol dependency, which often extend beyond the realms of physical well-being. It is important to be aware of the multifaceted ways in which alcohol addiction impacts men’s health and the potential benefits of seeking treatment from varied treatment centers including the luxury rehabs in India and the availability of men’s luxury alcohol and drug rehab centers nearby. READ MORE

[bonny-kookoo]

Yoonkook

𝓓𝓸 𝓡𝓮 𝓜𝓲 [Intro]

They say it only takes one bite for a vampire to get addicted.

Tags/Warnings: Vampire!Yoongi, Vampire!Jungkook, Human!Reader, Angst, poly AU, emotional confusion, blood (duh), did I mention Angst, fluff, romance, drama

Length: 3k words I think

There is no taglist for this fic!

A/N: Hi yes I wrote this somewhat drunk at a barbecue restaurant guys pls I didn't check ANY grammar this time

🩸.━━━━━━━━━━.🔴.━━━━━━━━━━━.🩸

Jungkook never wanted this life. He never chose to be like this, never made the same mistakes Yoongi did when he was younger. So even to this day, Yoongi sometimes feels a certain sense of pity for the young man.

Yoongi got infected when he was not even twenty years old. He chose the risk- knew what could happen if he was to participate in underground blood trading. But he needed the money. He needed to survive. And back then, even now, the quickest way to make a lot of money, is by offering your blood.

It didn't even take a month until he noticed the first signs of infection.

Fatigue, loss of sensation in hands and feet, odd food cravings and night sweats. It turned into cramps, dizziness, headaches and migranes, soon to be followed by nausea and the inability to really function anymore. He couldn't concentrate on anything. He couldn't live like this.

When he was sent to the ER by a roommate of his, back then, he already knew what would happen. And later that night, he was diagnosed.

Vampirism.

Yoongi wasn't surprised. Neither was Seokjin, his roommate, who knew what he had done to gain the money he needed to fund his survival. It didn't surprise anyone.

Everything changed.

He had to carry a specific passport of some sorts with him from then on, one that would hold all information regarding his condition, blood donations, everything. Even criminal records- though to this day, Yoongi has never had anything written down like that in his booklet. He's a calm one- or so the nurses say whenever he visits the donation center to receive his monthly donation.

Yoongi actually worked as an introductory patient here and there- helping new donors who feel scared of donating blood to someone with vampirism for the first time.

It's how he met Jungkook.

jungkook got infected only two years ago- by a now former lover, who never told him that she carried the infectious disease. She had promised, assured him that she wasn't carrying the active variant of vampirism- but that she instead was a 'sleeper', unable to infect other people by bite. And with jungkook so in love and trusting, he had believed her.

She had almost killed him, Yoongi now knows. Had almost murdered the young man who had done nothing to ever deserve to be used like that.

Today, Jungkook trusts again. Jungkook is happy again- he smiles, and grins, and loves everything around him again. Well- or so he would, if he could.

"Maybe today.." Yoongi offers, helping his now partner up the small set of stairs into the donation center. "I'm sure they'll have something for you today." he mutters, though he doesn't really believe it himself.

It's been months.

It happened almost three months prior, when suddenly no blood donation seemed to improve Jungkook's situation anymore. He just got sicker and sicker, like Yoongi when he was first infected and refused to get help or seek treatment- but for Jungkook, there was no treatment. The only thing they could do was test out other blood types-

but nothing worked.

And today, he waits again. Hour after hour, Jungkook already asleep on his shoulder in the waiting room, patient after patient being called in and leaving again-

but no one calls his name.

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You almost trip as you walk into the waiting room, apologizing silently to the people sitting down close by. There's an elderly lady, a mother with a young child- and two young men, one of them sleeping against the shoulder of his friend next to him, who seems to anxiously type away on his phone.

"Ah yes, we got your blood results today.." the nurse says, typping through some things before her eyes widen. "Let me just.. uh- let me ask something real quick, yeah? I'll be right back!" she rushes out, walking into a different room with some papers she'd printed out, leaving you a bit concerned with yourself as you stand there, next to where the two young men sit. One of them groans a bit, as if in pain- and you now notice how pale he is, sweat covering his forehead.

"I know, I'm sorry.." the man next to him sighs, watching how his friend's face scrunches up for a moment. "Fuck this." he suddenly mumbles, waking his friend up. "hey- Jungkook, come. I'll figure out something better." he says, helping his friend stand-

though he trips, falls right into you, who barely manages to keep him upright.

"Fuck- sorry, He's harmless." The man next to him apologises, and you wave him off.

"No problem." you say, keeping your hands close to the young man you now know is named Jungkook, who seems to almost lean into your touch, hazily turning his face towards you- eyes a deep cherry red.

"Vampirism?" you say, and the man next to him clicks his tongue.

"he's harmless." he repeats, as if you just insultet Jungkook- which you didn't actually intend to do.

"Oh, no no I didn't mean it badly!" you say, earning the gaze of the stranger on you. "just surprised, is all. Will he be okay?" You worry, and the man sighs.

"...yeah." he simply says. "I'll figure something-"

"Mister Min!" the nurse who just talked to you comes out the room, waving some papers. "We have a match!" She smiles, and mister Min next to you suddenly seemed to have turned 180 degrees- because now he looks almost cute, with wide open, round eyes and slightly parted lips. "miss, if you would follow me?" she says, and you nod, walking after her- mister Min and Jungkook right behind you.

"Oh, so he needed a donation?" you wonder, looking at a struggling Jungkook.

"Yes, his body has rejected all other blood options we've had." the nurse informs you, and you hum.

"Will she have enough?" Mister min from behind you mumbles, helping his friend walk. "Have you donated before?" he asks you almost as if to accuse you, and you shake your head, a bit nervous now.

"no- like, no I never donated, I don't know how much blood you give at these appointments." you say sheepishly, and the nurse opens a door down the hall before she steps aside to have you all walk in.

"for first-timers, we typically don't take too much blood." she explans, motioning her hand for you to sit down on a chair that looks awfully similar to the one's at the dentist. "So don't worry." she smiles.

"but-" you ask, watching Jungkook mostly fall into the chair next to you. "won't he need more than just a bit?" you worry, and the nurse sighs.

"anything will help." she tries to reassure, earning a glare from mister Min. "your donation is important either way."

"I'd like to give as much as I can." you say, determined- earning a surprised look from mister min- and even Jungkook seems to move his head to look at you with tired eyes. "I don't have anything else to do today, and the day off tomorrow. And I feel great!" you proudly exclaim. "I did all the stuff the clinic sent me- like, eat healthy, do regular sports, all that." you announce happily, and you could swear that Jungkook looks almost-

as if he wants to smile.

"we'll see how you do, okay?" the nurse says, a hand on your shoulder. "you can tell me to stop at any time, no shame in it." she makes sure to tell you, and you nod as you watch her leave for a moment.

"you don't have to do this." Mister Min says. "like she says, even the beginner amount is enough." he mumbles, but you shake your head.

"no, it's fine." you reassure them. "I wanna help. He looks like he really needs it." you joke a bit softly, watching Jungkook quietly bow a little. "are you guys close friends?" you wonder, and Mister Min scoffs.

"oh- Oh! I didn't know!" you laugh. "It must be hard to watch your partner suffer like that." you say, and he nods.

"somewhat." he says. "we've been together for.. two years now." he says, and watches how you seem to turn a bit red at that.

"I didn't know what to do." he confesses. "I'm.. thank you. For doing this." Mister min tells you. "he never chose this, so I'm glad you can help him for now until we can figure out something long term." he says.

"Oh I can keep donating!" you say. "I'm not scared of needles and stuff. See?" you point towards your ears, which are both heavily pierced with pink and silver jewelry. "I don't mind coming here regularly."

"you don't have to." Mister Min says again.

"I know." you say. "but I want to." you tell him almost teasingly, and he cant help but smile to himself a little.

reassured.

When the nurse comes back in, and sets everything up, you're still calm. "Blood pressure is nice." the nurse says to herself, writing something down. "we'll monitor how your body behaves during this donation, just to stay safe." she informs you, connecting some things. "and we'll monitor him, to make sure he doesn't fall into a blood-rush." she reassures you, and you nod, a bit unsure.

"what's a blood rush?" you wonder, and she nods.

"Sometimes, if people infected with the sleeping variant of vampirism, a blood donation can trigger the disease to 'wake', so to say. It could become active in that case, and would cause his body to go into shock." she explains, wiping a spot on Jungkook's arm with a disinfectant wipe before she places a needle there so he can receive the donation. "It's also why we won't let him.. reiceive the donation normally. We have to monitor and control how much exactly he receives." she explains. "because he might not be able to control his hunger."

"oh." you simply say, nodding.

"he won't go berserk and try to eat you." Mister min clarifies, glaring at the nurse. "but it's like refeeding syndrome in a human. You can't just give a starving person a buffet and expect them to only eat a bowl of soup." he tells you.

"yeah, that makes sense." you nod, cringing a bit when the needle is pinched into your arm as well.

For a good while, it's silent as you get comfortable, looking at the ceiling lights while you feel how your arm weakens a little. Meanwhile next to you, Jungkook seems to breathe deeper, stronger, color returning to his complexion.

"So.. what do you work as?" you wonder, a bit awkward as you look at Mister Min. "you don't have to answer.. just.. the silence is kind of weird." you giggle, and he nods.

"I guess." he agrees. "I'm a producer. I make music." he offers, and you nod, lips parted. He catches himself staring at them for just a second.

"Oh that's so cool." you smile brightly. "I always wanted to do somehing with art too, when I was younger. But my dad thought that was stupid, so he didn't allow me to go study it." you say, and Yoongi can spot the way you seem to grow a little more tired now.

"What did you do instead?" he wonders, speaks softly, gentle, as he watches you.

"hm, at first I studied finance and stuff. Because my dad wanted me to." you explain. "I always aimed for his praise, but I realized years into my studies that it wasn't worth the effort. So I dropped out." you shrug. "Now I'm an author, for like, fantasy novels. They're pretty embarrassing though, I won't lie." you giggle. "I work as a waitress on the side. To have enough to live comfortably, you know?" you mumble now, and the nurse chimes up.

"Can you sit up a bit for me?" she asks you, and you nod, doing as she says. "your blood pressure is dropping a little. How do you feel?" she checks in, and you look over at Jungkook, who takes in a deep breath as if for the first time.

"I'm fine." you smile with your gaze on him. "I think I just got a bit too comfortable in the chair." you giggle, and Yoongi watches.

You're odd.

"Hmhm-" she hums in approval. "we'll stop in a few minutes to not overwhelm him. You're doing great, miss." she praises, and you nod happily.

"Do you have someone to drive you home?" mister Min asks, and you shake your head.

"I'll take public transport." you inform him, but he shakes his head.

"I can drive you. That's safer." he offers, and you shrug, before nodding when the nurse gets up to clip up the narrow tube connected to Jungkook's arm, waking him up it seems like.

He blinks a couple of times, before he rubs his eyes, like things are too bright for a moment. His arm is free of the needle, as he looks around, at Yoongi- then at you. It's like he just woke up- his eyes finally open, his posture a lot straighter, and while he's still a bit pale, he doesn't look as bad as before.

"nice to meet you." you joke, slurring your words a little as you hiss when the nurse accidentally removes the needle too fast.

"Nice to meet you too." Jungkook answers for the first time-

voice gentle, and forever ingraved into your mind.

🩸.━━━━━━━━━━.🔴.━━━━━━━━━━━.🩸

You're yawning in the back of his car as Yoongi drives through the busy town, having received your adress earlier from you. "How do you feel?" he asks Jungkook next to him.

"hungry." he laughs. "honestly, I've not felt this good in a while. Like I can breathe again." he chuckles, before looking back, watching you in the mirror of the car- his eyes smiling at you when you smile back, sleepily leaning against the car door next to you. "You really didn't have to go all out for me." he says back at you, but you wave him off.

"nah, It's fine." you reassure. "I'm a big girl, I can handle it!" you joke, and Jungkook laughs in the front, shaking his head. You seem really bubbly and energetic- well when you're not all exhausted from donating blood, that is. And you also make him taste a bit of a bitter aftertaste- because you seem just like him, before he was so harshly kicked in the gut by his ex partner. So trusting, helpful, selfless. He hopes you won't have to make the same experiences that he's had to go through in the past.

You don't deserve that.

"Do you live alone?" Yoongi asks from the front- you've finally gotten his name a few minutes before. You nod, and he seems to think a little. "Will you be okay?" he asks, and you nod again- stubborn as ever, it seems like. "why did I even ask.." he sighs a little playfully, making Jungkook laugh from the passenger seat.

"Can I maybe have your number?" Jungkook asks. "Just to check in with you. If that's okay." he asks, and you nod, pulling out your phone to have him type in his number into your contacts.

Yoongi kind of wishes he was this bold too. But maybe that's where Jungkook fits him well- makes up for his own shortcomings.

"I'll probably leave you on read for the entire day today though" you laugh when you get your phone back. "I'm absolutely beat." you giggle, and Jungkook nods.

"I can only imagine." he watches you a bit, when Yoongi pulls into a parking lot in front of the tall apartment complex you live in.

"Home sweet home!" you exclaim, stretching your arms before you open the door. "thanks for bringing me home. I'll see you next month!" you joke, and both men say their goodbyes as you close the door behind you, walking towards the entrance of the apartment complex before you dissappear behind the door.

And in secret silence, as Jungkook and Yoongi drive home, both can't help but wonder.

Why does next month sound way too far away?

[perfectlyripeclementine]

queer novel masterlist: Palestine edition

Found this list via @evereadssapphic on Instagram.

You Exist Too Much, Zaina Arafat

On a hot day in Bethlehem, a 12-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother's response only intensifies a sense of shame: "You exist too much," she tells her daughter.

Told in vignettes that flash between the U.S. and the Middle East--from New York to Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine--Zaina Arafat's debut novel traces her protagonist's progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer. In Brooklyn, she moves into an apartment with her first serious girlfriend and tries to content herself with their comfortable relationship. But soon her longings, so closely hidden during her teenage years, explode out into reckless romantic encounters and obsessions with other people. Her desire to thwart her own destructive impulses will eventually lead her to The Ledge, an unconventional treatment center that identifies her affliction as "love addiction." In this strange, enclosed society she will start to consider the unnerving similarities between her own internal traumas and divisions and those of the places that have formed her.

Opening up the fantasies and desires of one young woman caught between cultural, religious, and sexual identities, You Exist Too Much is a captivating story charting two of our most intense longings--for love, and a place to call home.

Haifa Fragments, Khulud Khamis

As a designer of jewelry, Maisoon wants an ordinary extraordinary life, which isn't easy for a tradition-defying activist and Palestinian citizen of Israel who refuses to be crushed by the feeling that she is an unwelcome guest in the land of her ancestors. She volunteers for the Machsom Watch, an organization that helps children in the Occupied Territories cross the border to receive medical care. Frustrated by her boyfriend Ziyad and her father, who both want her to get on with life and forget those in the Occupied Territories, she lashes out only to discover her father isn't the man she thought he was. Raised a Christian, in a relationship with a Muslim man and enamored with a Palestinian woman from the Occupied Territories, Maisoon must decide her own path.

A Map Of Home, Randa Jarrar

In this fresh, funny, and fearless debut novel, Randa Jarrar chronicles the coming-of-age of Nidali, one of the most unique and irrepressible narrators in contemporary fiction. Born in 1970s Boston to an Egyptian-Greek mother and a Palestinian father, the rebellious Nidali--whose name is a feminization of the word "struggle"--soon moves to a very different life in Kuwait. There the family leads a mildly eccentric middle-class existence until the Iraqi invasion drives them first to Egypt and then to Texas. This critically acclaimed debut novel is set to capture the hearts of everyone who has ever wondered what their own map of home might look like.

The Skin And Its Girl, Sarah Cypher

In a Pacific Northwest hospital far from the Rummani family's ancestral home in Palestine, the heart of a stillborn baby begins to beat and her skin turns vibrantly, permanently cobalt blue. On the same day, the Rummanis' centuries-old soap factory in Nablus is destroyed in an air strike. The family matriarch and keeper of their lore, Aunt Nuha, believes that the blue girl embodies their sacred history, harkening back to a time when the Rummanis were among the wealthiest soap-makers and their blue soap was a symbol of a legendary love.

Decades later, Betty returns to Aunt Nuha's gravestone, faced with a difficult decision: Should she stay in the only country she's ever known, or should she follow her heart and the woman she loves, perpetuating her family's cycle of exile? Betty finds her answer in partially translated notebooks that reveal her aunt's complex life and struggle with her own sexuality, which Nuha hid to help the family immigrate to the United States. But, as Betty soon discovers, her aunt hid much more than that.The Skin and Its Girl is a searing, poetic tale about desire and identity, and a provocative exploration of how we let stories divide, unite, and define us--and wield even the power to restore a broken family. Sarah Cypher is that rare debut novelist who writes with the mastery and flair of a seasoned storyteller.

The Philistine, Leila Marshy

Nadia Eid doesn't know it yet, but she's about to change her life. It's the end of the ‘80s and she hasn’t seen her Palestinian father since he left Montreal years ago to take a job in Egypt, promising to bring her with him. But now she’s twenty-five and he’s missing in action, so she takes matters into her own hands. Booking a short vacation from her boring job and Québecois boyfriend, she calls her father from the Nile Hilton in downtown Cairo. But nothing goes as planned and, stumbling around, Nadia wanders into an art gallery where she meets Manal, a young Egyptian artist who becomes first her guide and then her lover. 

Through this unexpected relationship, Nadia rediscovers her roots, her language, and her ambitions, as her father demonstrates the unavoidable destiny of becoming a Philistine – the Arabic word for Palestinian. With Manal’s career poised to take off and her father’s secret life revealed, the First Intifada erupts across the border.

The Twenty-Ninth Year, Hala Alyan

For Hala Alyan, twenty-nine is a year of transformation and upheaval, a year in which the past--memories of family members, old friends and past lovers, the heat of another land, another language, a different faith--winds itself around the present.

Hala's ever-shifting, subversive verse sifts together and through different forms of forced displacement and the tolls they take on mind and body. Poems leap from war-torn cities in the Middle East, to an Oklahoma Olive Garden, a Brooklyn brownstone; from alcoholism to recovery; from a single woman to a wife. This collection summons breathtaking chaos, one that seeps into the bones of these odes, the shape of these elegies.

A vivid catalog of heartache, loneliness, love and joy, The Twenty-Ninth Year is an education in looking for home and self in the space between disparate identities.

Between Banat, Mejdulene Bernard Shomali

In Between Banat Mejdulene Bernard Shomali examines homoeroticism and nonnormative sexualities between Arab women in transnational Arab literature, art, and film. Moving from The Thousand and One Nights and the Golden Era of Egyptian cinema to contemporary novels, autobiographical writing, and prints and graphic novels that imagine queer Arab futures, Shomali uses what she calls queer Arab critique to locate queer desire amid heteronormative imperatives. Showing how systems of heteropatriarchy and Arab nationalisms foreclose queer Arab women's futures, she draws on the transliterated term "banat"--the Arabic word for girls--to refer to women, femmes, and nonbinary people who disrupt stereotypical and Orientalist representations of the "Arab woman." By attending to Arab women's narration of desire and identity, queer Arab critique substantiates queer Arab histories while challenging Orientalist and Arab national paradigms that erase queer subjects. In this way, Shomali frames queerness and Arabness as relational and transnational subject formations and contends that prioritizing transnational collectivity over politics of authenticity, respectability, and inclusion can help lead toward queer freedom.

Belladonna, Anbara Salam

Isabella is beautiful, inscrutable, and popular. Her best friend, Bridget, keeps quietly to the fringes of their Connecticut Catholic school, watching everything and everyone, but most especially Isabella.

In 1957, when the girls graduate, they land coveted spots at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Pentila in northern Italy, a prestigious art history school on the grounds of a silent convent. There, free of her claustrophobic home and the town that will always see her and her Egyptian mother as outsiders, Bridget discovers she can reinvent herself as anyone she desires... perhaps even someone Isabella could desire in return.

But as that glittering year goes on, Bridget begins to suspect Isabella is keeping a secret from her, one that will change the course of their lives forever. (I believe this book is by a Palestinian author but not actually set in or about Palestine.)

[bowtied-pasta]

Call out post, come get y’self stereotyped

(I’m not doing them all, but) If you like…

Slenderman

Mafia themed fics and comics are a huge favorite of yours. Men in power are sexy to you, especially if they’re well read and have manners.

You have a danger and risk kink, and the mixture of being a powerful man’s exception to his cruelties, and being the center of so much possessive attention and affection… well I have a feeling you could just melt.

The portion of you guys that headcanon he has a mouth he can rip open at will, you freaks have absolutely ginormous boners for marking.

Eyeless Jack

Woah there, partner. Your addiction to A/B/O is showing. Might wanna try and hide that behind your cryptid body part headcanons and his multiple tongues.

I would give $100 to the first person who could actually stand to kiss this man on the mouth. This man is out here eating humans and ya’ll be talkin’ about how good of a kisser he is.

Now this one here is a hit or miss remark, but the vibes are just so strong here for this one, so I’m going out on a limb and saying a large portion of you had crushes on Beast from Beauty and the Beast when you were younger.

Jane

You liked Jeff a lot. Like, a lot. But then Jane came along and you realized Jeff the Killer could get better because here she is, your gay awakening.

You definitely headcanon her as a domme. I ain’t ever see a Jane simp write her like anything other than an absolutely regal domme.

Splendorman

Welcome to the most diverse group of individuals this fandom has. Meaning you are either a freak like me that had a headcanon involving the flavor of his cum, or you’re ‘normal’ and just wanna give this man a hug.

If you subscribe to the ‘Splendor has a dark side’ headcanon, then there’s like a 20% chance your Splendor has killed people and knows what he’s doing when he does it. 10% of the time he doesn’t grasp the concept of human mortality and death.

Despite all that divides you as simps for this man, you all come together under one very important fact. Splendor’s bells have mouths.

Zalgo

Haven’t given up the princess treatment kink yet I see.

I’m getting dragon fucker vibes… for some reason. I think it’s all the gold mixed with the obvious attraction to power and regality and authority.

You made an oc that was most likely an angel to pair with him when you were younger and the memories are gonna come flooding back only now because I have dragged them from under the rug you hid away in the shame filled recesses of your mind so that you would forget.

Fen

You’re an enjoyer of Bara’s

I’m feeling like there’s an attraction to men who are obsessed with the frat house they are/were in when in college.

You don’t match your socks when you wear them.

[peterhollandkait]

Everything I Know Leads Me Back to You - Prelude

If You See the Shell That's Left of Me

Pairing: eventual Frankie Morales x afab!reader

Word Count: 1.5k

Warnings: Mentions of drug addiction, depression, anxiety, ptsd, trauma related to the military, angst, hurt MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

Author's Note: Hello everyone!! I am so excited to share the first part of my Frankie Morales series! I have been working on this idea for over two years, and I am so nervous for it to see the light of day. Please reblog and comment with your thoughts, or feel free to send me an ask!

Everything I Know Leads Me Back to You Masterlist

He hadn’t meant for it to get this bad, but god his sinuses hurt. He sneezed, and then again, before refilling the humidifier next to his bed. He’d just gotten his nose to stop bleeding again, the skin above his mustache aching and dry from the constant rubbing. 

He grabbed the Vaseline from his nightstand, rubbing the thick gel over his dry skin on his face before he climbed back into his bed. The sheets scratched at his skin, a smell emanating from them. He couldn’t remember the last time he had washed them. 

Frankie sighed, glancing at the bag of coke sitting on his nightstand. He glanced away just as quickly, ashamed of himself. 

It was only meant to be recreational, something to take the edge off after he got shot the second time. He needed something to escape the thoughts, the demons. 

He had it all under control, until he didn’t.

The cravings increased ten fold once he got out. The nightmares had gotten worse, plaguing his sleep every night. 

A therapist diagnosed him with PTSD and gave him some kind of medication for the anxiety and something for his sleep, but Frankie was impatient. He wasn’t willing to wait a few weeks for the medicine to work through his system, he needed relief now.

At first, it was a couple of lines a week, something to take the edge off and keep him awake so he wouldn’t have to face his demons. 

He tried to quit a few times over the next few years, once even using vacation days at work to put himself in a treatment center. But he always went back, surrendering to the high. 

Someone reported him at work. Who it was, he had no idea. He only did lines at home, never while on the clock. And yeah, maybe he was high a few times on a shift, but he never compromised any one’s safety. 

They ran a drug test, and that was that. The FAA suspended him, took his pilot’s license, pending review. 

He’d dug himself into a hole with no way out. 

He no longer had a reason to leave the house, so he didn’t, unless he was meeting with his dealer. He stayed in bed most of the time, black out curtains closed. He barely ate, almost always takeout. He couldn’t remember the last time he went to the grocery store, or whether he’d taken a shower that week.

All he knew was the coke. 

-

The air was heavy around him, the humidity making his clothes cling to him uncomfortably. The ground squished as he walked, the area muddy and slippery from a recent rainstorm. 

Pope flanked his left side as they approached the target location. Three hostages, 15 hostiles. The Millers approached the building from the opposite side, taking out hostiles as they went. 

Frankie’s rifle felt heavy in his hands, a tactical backpack weighing him down as he walked. Something felt wrong, he couldn’t shake it. He’d been here before. Panama, he thought. 

Pope walked ahead of him, shooting enemy men as he went before smashing in the door between them and the hostages.

Frankie realized the problem then. Two of the hostages sat dead, tied to wooden chairs in the middle of the room. Single bullet sounds to the skull. 

The third hostage sat in the middle of the room, crying as she was held by her hair. Frankie glanced quickly at the man holding her head, a gun pressed to the side of her cranium, before his eyes fell down to her face.

His stomach dropped. It was you. You were the third hostage. 

He couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. His finger moved to the trigger, gun pointed right at the man’s head. 

You sobbed against the gag in your mouth, voice muffled but crying out for him. The man pulled against your hair again, pressing the gun further into your skin. 

“Don’t,” Frankie warned. He hesitated with the trigger, afraid of what would happen to you if he took the shot from here. 

“You hesitate too late,” the man muttered, pulling the trigger.

-

“NO!” Frankie shot up in bed, screaming your name. Tears streamed down his face, sweat covering every inch of his skin. 

He pressed his palms into his eyes, body wracked with sobs. He had to call you, make sure you were okay.

Hands shaking, he reached for his phone and dialed your contact as quickly as it could. He hoped your ringer was on, though it was sometime in the middle of the night. 

When you didn’t answer, Frankie pulled himself out of bed and into a pair of jeans before he ran out the door and drove the few miles to your apartment. 

-

A continuous knock rang out, waking you from a deep slumber. Groaning, you sat up and took a look at the clock. 

4:04 AM.

Who in the hell was knocking on your door at four am?

You slid out of bed, searching for your slippers in the dark. The floor was cold, making you shiver as you walked around your bedroom. When you couldn’t find them, you sighed, pulling on your robe to meet whoever was at the door.

But when you swung open the door, you weren’t expecting your best friend to be the cause of the noise. “Frankie?”

Frankie pushed past you, walking into your apartment while he muttered to himself. He looked like hell. Eyes bloodshot, dry blood crusted under his nose from a nosebleed, hair damp from sweat. He smelled disgusting, as if he hadn’t showered in days. 

He walked around your apartment aimlessly, hands tugging at his hair. “Girasol, I love you.” He looked at you then, tired brown eyes peering at your own.

“I love you too, mi amor. What’s going on?” You took a step toward him, but he took a step back. You held your hands up in a quiet surrender, searching for answers on his face. “Frankie?”

“No, you don’t understand. I love you; I’m in love with you. We…we can go to Mexico right now, like I promised. We can get married, just like we talked about when we were kids.” He rambled on, spewing memories that only brought pain to you.

“Frankie, what are you doing here?”

He walked over to you and fell to his knees in front of your frame, hands gravitating to your hips. “Marry me.”

“Francisco, this isn’t funny. Get up,” you muttered, trying to pull him off the ground. 

“Funny? I’m not jokin’ cariño. Please,” he begged, hands pulling away from your frame to dig through his pockets. “I’m sure I’ve got something-“

Frankie froze as a bag of white powder fell from his hands. The room stood still as the coke hit the floor of your living room, silencing him. Your eyes widened, the realization hitting you. The man in front of you was suffering far deeper than you could have imagined. 

Within seconds, you sprang into action. You lowered yourself to the ground in front of him, holding his head gently in your hands. “Let’s get you in the shower, yeah?” 

He nodded slightly and you grabbed his arm, tugging him up and then down the hall to your bathroom. You sat Frankie down on the toilet and reached to turn on the shower head so it could heat up while you worked. 

You grabbed a towel from the hall closet before digging through your dresser for some of Frankie’s old clothes. He hadn’t worn the shirt or sweats in years, but you hoped they would still fit him.

When you returned to the bathroom, Frankie was still sitting on the toilet, staring silently at the wall in front of him. You sat everything down on the counter before making your way to stand in front of him. 

You tugged his shirt off gently, whispering thank yous with every movement. You helped him stand, undoing his shoes and removing his socks before you moved to his pants. 

“You’re going so great, Frankie. We’re almost there.” 

He made a small noise of acknowledgment, holding onto your shoulders for balance as you helped remove his pants and boxers. 

You’d seen him naked years ago, when things were simpler between you, but you averted your eyes as best you could to keep a semblance of privacy. Once finished, you helped him into the tub and under the warm water flowing from the shower head. Placing a washcloth into his hands, you pressed a light kiss to his cheek before pulling the curtain back. 

“Call for me if you need help, okay?” 

“Thank you,” Frankie mumbled, almost inaudible over the sound of the shower. 

You quietly slipped out of the bathroom, closing the door gently behind you. You leaned against the wall next to the door, knees giving out as you slid to the ground. Your head fell into your hands as you crumbled, body shaking with sobs.

---

TAGLIST: @meveispunk @chaotic-mystery @i-own-loki @harperdoodle @wildemaven @tightjeansjavi @wonwoosthetic @im-the-daddy-here-5

[tieflingkisser]

Dozens of deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police

At least 94 people died after they were given sedatives and restrained by police from 2012 through 2021, according to findings by the AP in collaboration with FRONTLINE (PBS) and the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism. That’s nearly 10% of the more than 1,000 deaths identified during the investigation of people subdued by police in ways that are not supposed to be fatal. About half of the 94 who died were Black, including [Demetrio] Jackson. Behind the racial disparity is a disputed medical condition called excited delirium, which fueled the rise of sedation outside hospitals. Critics say its purported symptoms, including “superhuman strength” and high pain tolerance, play into racist stereotypes about Black people and lead to biased decisions about who needs sedation.

[...]

Paramedics drugged some people who were not a threat to themselves or others, violating treatment guidelines. Medics often didn’t know whether other drugs or alcohol were in people’s systems, although some combinations cause serious side effects. Police officers sometimes improperly encouraged paramedics to give shots to suspects they were detaining. Responders occasionally joked about the medications’ power to knock their subjects out. “Night, night” is heard on videos before deaths in California, Tennessee and Florida. Emergency medical workers, “if they aren’t careful, can simply become an extension of the police’s handcuffs, of their weapons, of their nightsticks,” said Claire Zagorski, a paramedic and an addiction researcher at the University of Texas at Austin.

[...]

In Minneapolis, an oversight agency found the use of ketamine during police calls rose dramatically from 2012 through 2017 and body-camera video showed instances of officers appearing to pressure paramedics to use ketamine and joking about its power. The department told officers they could never “suggest or demand” the use of sedation. Facing criticism, Hennepin Healthcare halted a study examining the effectiveness of ketamine on agitated patients. The Food and Drug Administration later found the research failed to protect vulnerable, intoxicated people who had not given consent. By 2021, the American College of Emergency Physicians warned ketamine impacted breathing and the heart more than previously believed.

[...]

But the AP’s findings show risks of sedation go beyond ketamine, which was used in at least 19 cases. Roughly half of the 94 deaths documented by the AP came after the use of midazolam, which has long been known to heighten the risk of respiratory depression. Many came during police encounters in California, where ketamine is not widely used. Midazolam, a common pre-surgery drug known by the brand name Versed, is also part of a three-drug cocktail used in some states to execute prisoners. Other cases involved a range of other drugs, including the antipsychotic medications haloperidol and ziprasidone, which can cause irregular heartbeats.

[...]

Yet, over time, prominent medical groups and some experts pointed to overuse of sedation during police encounters and a disproportionate impact on Black people. Even supporters of the practice have acknowledged that the wrong patients at times have been injected. The deaths of Black men in police custody, including the 2020 killing of George Floyd, put pressure on the medical community to re-examine excited delirium. The ER doctors group in 2023 withdrew approval of the 2009 paper and said excited delirium shouldn’t be used in court testimony. Some doctors called that decision political and note the group still recognizes a similar condition — hyperactive delirium with severe agitation — that can be treated with sedation. But today no major medical association legitimizes excited delirium.

[...]

In more than a dozen cases reviewed by AP, police asked for or suggested the use of sedatives, calling into question whether medics were working for law enforcement or in patients’ interests. Officers often suggested their detainees had excited delirium.

[tomjefferys1990]

The Benefits of Seeking Help at an Alcohol Treatment Center

Seeking help at an alcohol treatment center can be life-changing, offering support and tools for lasting recovery. At Rippling Waters, our specialized programs provide a safe, nurturing environment tailored to individual needs. We address the root causes of addiction through evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and holistic practices such as equine therapy and meditation.

Located in the serene Upper Catskills, our center fosters healing and self-discovery in a tranquil setting. With compassionate care and a personalized approach, Rippling Waters empowers individuals to overcome addiction and build a fulfilling, sober life. Start your journey to recovery today at Rippling Waters!

[melancholymetropolis]

"Don't forget to breathe, sweetheart," Bakugo said with a slight smirk.

I didn't even realize I was holding my breath until I looked at the mirror before us. My skin was damn near purple and my eyes were teary. But, I didn't know whether that came from the restriction of air or the constant pleasure swirling in my body.

The pro-hero's cock filled every crevice of my slick canal and stirred up everyone emotion possible. Happiness. Excitement. Sadness. Rage.

I was supposed to quit. Leave Bakugo Katsuki's insane hero agency for good and take the first plane to the US. The heroes in Japan were simply too overzealous for my liking. The men, in particular, were praised for doing the bare minimum. Like rerouting a train or taking a cat out of a tree. I have seen women heroes break every bone in their bodies to save everyone from a plane crash. I have seen them lose their limbs in the war, while the males barely got any scratches. The new generation of male heroes was more than questionable. Their treatment of the woman heroes has infuriated me to no end and I had about enough of it.

I was going back home to the United States.

I don't know how it happened. One minute I was giving the spiky-haired bastard my two weeks' notice and then his body was on mine. His mouth was kissing my neck and his hands were lifting my skirt. His member was hard and poking my inner thigh, while he ripped open my top.

I kept murmuring how much I hated him and how he made me sick--- just for me to spread my legs and take me like a bitch in heat.

His strong pelvis collided with the soft flesh of my ass, making my entire lower half jiggle. One of his strong arms was positioned at an angle against my chest and torso, while the other gripped the edge of the couch. My fingers wrapped around the back of the couch and my knees were situated on the cushions. My arms were straight and my back was arched. Since Bakugo was standing, it was easy for him to snap his cock into me with little restriction.

The deep power thrusts had already sent me over the edge three (maybe four) times already and I couldn't get enough.

"Please make me cum again, sir," I whined, squeezing my eyes shut. "I am so close. . ."

"What happened to all that 'girlboss-I-hate-you-so-much' bs?" The blonde snickered. "I thought you weren't gonna touch me with a ten-foot poll?"

I sucked in a breath and felt my legs begin to tremble slightly. My mouth fell open as short, hot pants fell from my lips and my nails into the cool leather. My walls clenched the girthy, long member tightly. They were already so sensitive from previous climaxes, meaning they felt every single inch of the throbbing member.

While my eyes started to roll back, I lifted one of my hands from the back of the couch and placed it on my neglected clit. My legs started to shake even more as I rubbed lazy circles against the bud. My walls squeezed and released his member at a rapid rate. Curses fell from my mouth as I felt the orgasm clawing its way out of me.

One of Bakugo's hands fell to my breast. He massaged the mound gently, adding even more pleasure to my overstimulated body. His nibble fingers pulled and tweaked my nipple for a few moments before I felt my whole body freeze. I, suddenly, became hyper-aware of what was happening. I could feel his hot breath on my neck and hear the slutty moans drip from his lips. I could feel his cock twitch within me, indicating that was just as close as I was.

Finally, I could hear him whimper my name over and over again.

"Oh my god! Oh my god!" I chanted, breathlessly. "I'm cumming. I'm cumming."

My legs trembled against the leather couch as juices sprayed from my center. My eyes rolled to the back of my head as I started to throw my ass back to meet his thrusts. I screamed his name like it was the word on Earth. I begged him never to stop that god-like penetration and said cringy things like "I love your cock so much".

To which Bakugo said "I think I'm addicted to your pussy" before filling the condom with his seed.

When it was all said and done, we cuddled on the couch and listened to each other's heartbeats. The moon was bright and painted the office a cool blue color. It was quiet, peaceful even. Until---

"I don't want you to leave."

-----------

Did you miss me???

[unwelcome-ozian]

The Secret Black History of LSD

“Black Americans were uniquely exploited during this first wave of psychedelic research,” concluded the authors of a 2021 University of Ottawa study of abuses in the early trials of LSD. Overwhelmingly, the African American victims of MK-Ultra were drawn from prisons and hospital mental wards, including the National Institute of Mental Health’s Addiction Research Center (ARC), which tested LSD and some 800 other psychoactive drugs on an inmate population that was almost exclusively Black. In numerous other MK-Ultra experiments, according to the study, “participants were subject to differential and torturous treatment and dosing dependent on race.” In one 1960 study, “‘Negro’ men convicted on drug charges…were recruited from prison and given LSD in a research ward,” while a comparison group made up of “professional White people at Cold Spring Harbor, living freely,” took LSD in “the principal investigator’s home ‘under social conditions designed to reduce anxiety.’”

[handsforu]

Different Types Of Alcohol Addiction!

Alcohol is one of the easily available drugs around the world, and individuals must take care of take care of themselves because it can cause a lot of issues. As the top-notch, Drug De-Addiction Center in Mumbai, we are offering everyone excellent quality treatment for all types of addiction. Today, in this article, we are going to shed some light on different types of alcohol addiction. 

Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is characterized by the consumption of large quantities of alcohol in a short period, typically leading to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. For men, this usually means consuming five or more drinks in about two hours, and for women, four or more drinks. While binge drinkers may not drink every day, the pattern can still lead to significant health and social problems.

Heavy Drinking

Heavy drinking involves regular consumption of alcohol at levels that exceed standard guidelines. 

Functional Alcoholism

Functional alcoholics often maintain what appears to be a normal life, with steady employment, relationships, and responsibilities. Despite this, they are dependent on alcohol and may drink heavily or regularly. 

Young Adult Subtype

This subtype typically includes individuals in their late teens and early twenties who engage in binge drinking and heavy drinking but may not drink every day. They often have fewer co-occurring mental health issues and generally have less severe alcohol dependence.

Young Antisocial Subtype

Young antisocial alcoholics also tend to start drinking at a young age and often have a family history of alcoholism. This subtype is characterized by antisocial behavior, including a higher likelihood of engaging in criminal activities and other risky behaviors.

Intermediate Familial Subtype

This subtype includes middle-aged individuals with a significant family history of alcoholism. These individuals often start drinking in their teenage years and may experience moderate levels of alcohol dependence. They frequently have co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression.

Chronic Severe Subtype

Chronic severe alcoholics represent the most severe form of alcohol addiction. They often have high levels of alcohol dependence, a long history of drinking, and numerous alcohol-related problems, including health issues and legal troubles. 

High-Functioning Alcoholism

High-functioning alcoholics are similar to functional alcoholics but may hold high-level jobs, have advanced degrees, and maintain a seemingly successful social life. Despite their outward success, their dependency on alcohol can have severe consequences over time.

End-Stage Alcoholism

At this stage, the person often drinks throughout the day to avoid withdrawal symptoms, and severe health issues are common.

If you or anyone you might know is searching for Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Mumbai, then you don’t have to look for it because we are your destination. 

About Hands For You

Hands For You is one of the leading names because it offers everyone with a wide range of de-addiction programs. To know more, you can get assistance from them.

[john-marshall]

there’s a sex addiction treatment center called The Ranch where they treat

cheating men

men who often have sex in risky situations

men who frequent sex workers

compulsive masturbators

they only treat men

[perennialrecovery]

Welcome to Perennial Recovery, the leading addiction treatment center in Westborough MA. We understand that overcoming addiction is a challenging journey, but with our comprehensive and personalized approach, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Perennial Recovery 287 Turnpike Rd Suite 125 First Floor, Westborough, MA 01581 (888) 301–9879

My Official Website: https://www.perennialrecovery.com/ Google Plus Listing: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=7900575976178735179

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[briamichellewrites]

19

Mike ended up on his phone for the rest of the night. He went back and forth talking with Brad on Raya while also scrolling through his Instagram account. Bria was following him on his account, as well as the Linkin Park account. Her account was private, so he requested to follow her. She accepted his request almost immediately. briajo was her username. He refreshed the page and was able to see her pictures. After tapping on the first one, he read what she posted in the caption.

briajo: The bitch is back. Stone cold sober, as a matter of fact. Four years ago today, I entered a treatment program to get help for alcohol addiction. It started when I was thirteen. I was in foster care and was sexually abused. The man who did it gave me alcohol to subdue me. The abuse developed into him assaulting me. I had no idea what was happening and I never told anyone. Until I became pregnant at fourteen. My social worker took me out of that house and into a rehab program. I had to learn what happened was not my fault. Children canNOT consent! Adults need to protect children against abuse and assault!

Wow. He had no idea, though it confirmed his and Brad’s belief that her pregnancy had been due to abuse. It made him think about Chester and his experience with abuse. They had no idea when they met him. Until he broke down in tears and told them that he had been sexually abused as a child. It caused him to use drugs and he developed a heavy addiction. Throughout his life, he was in and out of rehab to remain sober. He thought about what he would have done if he met Bria.

He would have protected her and made sure she was safe. They might have talked about their shared experiences and he would have done everything he could to help her. Fourteen. She was way too young. There was only one of Stephanie and that was of her after her birth. She was wrapped in a blanket and had a hat on her head.

briajo: Stephanie Charlotte Johnson. Four years ago, you made me your mommy. Happy birthday to the goofiest, happiest, curious child I’ve ever been blessed with. You taught me about what love means and you gave me stability for the first time in my life. Even through the hard times, you have been through it all with me. Keep smiling, laughing, and being curious. I can’t wait to see what you grow up to be. I love you with my whole heart. – Mommy

That was cute. She was right about not posting pictures of her daughter on social media. Not everyone had the best intentions for children. He went to see who she was following. His personal account, Brad, Linkin Park, Machine Shop Records, some parenting accounts, and a sobriety account. He was the only account following her.

Brad messaged him on Raya asking if he wanted to hook up. Yeah! He got his address and got ready. When he was, he put his address into his GPS before driving over to his place. He was nervous but also excited! It had been a long time since he had been with someone. After coming out as bisexual in 2017, he had random hookups with men he met on dating apps. He hoped that they would lead to a relationship but they never did.

He took a break from dating apps for a while for his mental health. Until recently. His mind was telling him that he was still young and to get back out there. His parents just wanted to make sure he was being safe. Yeah, he was tested regularly. That was all they wanted to know. They had lived through the AIDS epidemic of the eighties and they didn’t want that to happen to him. He promised he would be careful.

Brad was even more gorgeous in real life. He had wrinkles and his hair was gray but that made him even more attractive to him. They went up to his bedroom and he closed the door behind him. They kissed, as he sat on the edge of the bed. They removed their clothes before Brad laid him down on the center of his bed. He opened his legs and came in between them. Mike was in heaven as he moved inside of him. Brad was older, so he knew what to do with his body.

For the rest of the night, they took turns on each other until they were finished. They both got up and got dressed. Brad asked him to stay. Yeah, he would do that. They kissed before going downstairs.

“Michael Shinoda, I don’t want to know!”

He laughed as he sat down beside Brad. They were close friends but he didn’t want to know who he was sleeping with. It was like talking about making love to his wife. That was just something they didn’t talk about to each other. It was disrespectful to his wife and way too much information.

Bria showed up early as usual. She looked a little tired, so he asked if everything was okay. Bria apologized and told him that she and Stephanie had gone to the emergency room. They didn’t get home until after midnight. Was she okay? Yeah, she was jumping on her bed when she fell on her arm. The hospital called Child Protective Services because of her injury. She had to go through an intensive interview before they could leave.

“They called CPS because she broke her arm?”

“And because she had bruises on her legs and arms. She’s four years old and she’s active. Her teacher always tells me when she gets hurt.”

“I’m so sorry. What’s going to happen?”

“They’re going to investigate. I’m just scared they’re going to take her away from me.”

Did she want the day off? He would completely understand if she did. No, she needed to be there to distract herself. Okay. He let her know that if she needed a witness or help with anything, she could call him or Brad. Even if it was the middle of the night. She thanked him.

Stephanie had cried because of the pain. The doctor told her she was being very brave while he examined her arm. After taking an X Ray, her arm was wrapped up in a cast. She had the option to pick what color she wanted it to be. Pink! The nurse told her it made her look like she had a pink arm! She smiled and nodded. The cast was hard. She knocked on it with her fist.

Bria was stressed out and terrified. She was a very young parent and she fought hard to keep her baby. It would take forty five days to investigate her. They wouldn’t find any evidence of abuse because there wasn’t any. Her daughter was her life.

Mike let Brad know about the situation. No, he never saw anything that would ever make him think she was abusive. That was what he was thinking. If they wanted to interview him, he would gladly talk to them. So would he. He gave her the option to go home, but she wanted to stay. What Brad was concerned about was them taking Stephanie away due to her alcohol addiction. He knew about that?

Yeah, she had revealed it to him during a private conversation. How did he find out? She posted about it on her instagram. He didn’t use social media, so he didn’t know that.

He had been told that her abuser had given her alcohol and she got help for it after getting pregnant. She was worried it would impact her job. He told her it wouldn’t because she was a hard worker. Mike agreed. The only reason why it would was if she was drinking on the job or showing up drunk or not showing up at all. He agreed. The situation was unfair and they hoped it would have a happy ending.

@zoeykaytesmom @feelingsofaithless @alina-dixon @fiickle-nia @boricuacherry-blog

[qbdatabase]

On a hot day in Bethlehem, a 12-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother’s response only intensifies a sense of shame: “You exist too much,” she tells her daughter.

Told in vignettes that flash between the U.S. and the Middle East–from New York to Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine–Zaina Arafat’s debut novel traces her protagonist’s progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer. In Brooklyn, she moves into an apartment with her first serious girlfriend and tries to content herself with their comfortable relationship. But soon her longings, so closely hidden during her teenage years, explode out into reckless romantic encounters and obsessions with other people. Her desire to thwart her own destructive impulses will eventually lead her to The Ledge, an unconventional treatment center that identifies her affliction as “love addiction.” In this strange, enclosed society she will start to consider the unnerving similarities between her own internal traumas and divisions and those of the places that have formed her.

[tomjefferys1990]

How Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy Promotes Lasting Change

Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) is a powerful therapeutic approach to help individuals identify and alter negative thought patterns and behaviors. At Rippling Waters, we integrate CBGT into our holistic treatment programs, offering a supportive environment that fosters personal growth and lasting recovery.

CBGT is particularly effective in group settings, where shared experiences, guided discussions, and collaborative problem-solving pave the way for deep emotional healing. It is a cornerstone of our men's therapy group and addiction group therapy, providing participants with tools to achieve long-term change.

Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy combines the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with the dynamics of group interaction. While traditional CBT focuses on individual therapy, CBGT leverages the shared experiences of a group to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

This therapy is based on the premise that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. By identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, individuals can replace them with healthier alternatives, ultimately leading to improved mental health and behavior.

Key Features of CBGT

Collaborative Approach: Participants work together under the guidance of a therapist to explore their thoughts and behaviors.

Structured Sessions: Each session follows a structured format, focusing on specific topics like stress management, coping skills, or emotional regulation.

Skill Development: Participants learn practical skills to identify triggers, manage emotions, and develop positive coping mechanisms.

Peer Support: The group setting fosters a sense of belonging and shared understanding, reducing feelings of isolation.

The Role of CBGT in Addiction Recovery

Addiction often stems from unresolved emotional pain, negative thought patterns, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Addiction group therapy, incorporating CBGT, is highly effective in addressing these underlying issues.

At Rippling Waters Recovery Center, our addiction group therapy program uses CBGT to help individuals:

Recognize Triggers: Participants identify and understand the thoughts and situations that lead to addictive behaviors.

Replace Negative Patterns: CBGT teaches individuals to challenge harmful beliefs and replace them with healthier ones.

Build Resilience: Group therapy provides tools for managing stress, preventing relapse, and maintaining long-term sobriety.

Foster Accountability: Being part of a group encourages accountability, as members motivate and support each other through their recovery journeys.

The Group Dynamic Advantage

One of the key benefits of CBGT is the group dynamic, which amplifies the therapy's effectiveness. In our addiction group therapy sessions, participants share experiences, gain new perspectives, and provide mutual support. This collective environment helps individuals realize they are not alone in their struggles, fostering hope and encouragement.

Why CBGT is Ideal for Men's Therapy Groups

Men often face unique challenges in addressing their emotional and mental health. Societal norms frequently discourage men from expressing vulnerability, leading to suppressed emotions and unresolved trauma. This can manifest in destructive behaviors such as addiction, anger, or withdrawal.

Rippling Waters Recovery Center offers specialized men's therapy group sessions featuring CBGT to address these challenges. Our program creates a safe and supportive space for men to explore their emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and build stronger relationships.

Benefits of CBGT for Men

Addressing Emotional Suppression: CBGT helps men identify and express suppressed emotions, breaking the cycle of denial and avoidance.

Encouraging Peer Support: The group setting fosters camaraderie and mutual understanding, which are crucial for emotional healing.

Promoting Healthy Masculinity: Therapy challenges toxic stereotypes and encourages men to embrace vulnerability as a strength.

Building Coping Skills: Participants learn practical tools to handle stress, navigate relationships, and manage triggers effectively.

Transforming Lives Through Connection

Our men's therapy group emphasizes building connections among participants. These connections create a brotherhood of support, enabling men to share experiences, offer insights, and celebrate each other’s progress.

Integrating CBGT with Holistic Therapies

At Rippling Waters Recovery Center, we believe in a comprehensive approach to healing. Our CBGT sessions integrate holistic therapies such as Equine Therapy, Ecotherapy, yoga, and mindfulness practices. This combination addresses the mind, body, and spirit, ensuring a well-rounded recovery experience.

Complementary Therapies Offered

Equine Therapy: Interacting with horses promotes emotional awareness and builds trust.

Ecotherapy: Nature-based therapy fosters grounding and reduces stress.

Mindfulness Practices: Meditation and breathing exercises enhance focus and emotional regulation.

By combining CBGT with these therapies, we create a transformative recovery journey that goes beyond symptom management to address the root causes of addiction and emotional distress.

Success Stories from Rippling Waters

The success of CBGT at Rippling Waters is reflected in the lives of our participants. Many individuals who have attended our men's therapy group and addiction group therapy programs have experienced profound changes, such as improved relationships, increased self-awareness, and sustained sobriety.

Participant Testimonials

“The men's therapy group at Rippling Waters helped me open up about emotions I had buried for years. The support from others in the group was life-changing.”

“Addiction group therapy taught me how to recognize and challenge the thoughts that led to my drinking. I feel stronger and more in control of my life.”

Why Choose Rippling Waters for CBGT

Rippling Waters Recovery Center stands out for its commitment to personalized, compassionate care. Our expert therapists are trained in evidence-based practices and holistic approaches, ensuring every participant receives the best possible support.

Highlights of Our CBGT Program

Experienced Therapists: Our team includes specialists in cognitive behavioral therapy and group dynamics.

Serene Environment: Located in the tranquil Upper Catskills, our center provides a peaceful setting for recovery.

Tailored Programs: We customize therapy plans to meet the unique needs of each individual.

See Our Other Article Also

Men’s Recovery Center — Empowering You to Rebuild and Thrive

Addiction Treatment Centers Near Me: Holistic Care for a Brighter Future

Finding Hope: How Addiction Treatment Centers Transform Lives

Conclusion: The Path to Lasting Change

Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy is a transformative tool for addressing addiction, emotional struggles, and mental health challenges. At Rippling Waters, we integrate CBGT into our comprehensive programs, offering a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can achieve lasting change.

Whether you’re seeking healing through a men's therapy group or looking for effective addiction group therapy, our CBGT sessions provide the tools and support needed for personal growth and recovery. Explore a brighter future with Rippling Waters, where change begins, and transformation thrives.

For more information visit Rippling Waters or contact us!