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Book Recommendations:

Facing Codependence

Pia Mellody

Codependent No More: How to stop controlling others and Caring for yourself

Melody Beattie

Facing the Shadow: Starting Sexual and Relationship Recovery

Patrick Carnes

I Don't Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression

Terrance Real

The Human Magnet Syndrome: Why We Love People Who Hurt Us

Ross Rosenberg

The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists

Eleanor Payson

Will I Ever Be Good Enough?: Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers

Dr. Karyl McBride

You Can Heal Your Life

Louis Hay

Meditations to Heal Your Life

Louise Hay

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts

Gary Chapman

Men, Women and Relationships: Making Peace with the Opposite Sex

John Gray

Beyond Anger: A Guide for Men: How to free yourself from the grip of anger and get more out of life

Thomas Harbin

Web Resources:

Supporting family after a child dies. The Compassionate Friends non-profit organization exists to provide friendship, understanding and hope to those going through the natural grieving process.

This is an organization dedicated to creating transformative and healing weekend retreats for men in the Chicagoland area. Founded over 28 years ago this is a non profit group that I have benefited from as a participant, and I enjoy the satisfaction I receive from staffing the retreats for other men. This is a unique opportunity for men from all walks of life to discuss their issues in an emotionally safe environment and come away from the weekends feeling more authentically themselves.

This is a great resource for all topics related to Mental Health and Treatment

This is the go to source if you or someone you know is suicidal. Also check out my YouTube video on "Talking About Suicide".

This resource helps you connect with local groups for all types of mental health challenges that an individual and family may face. This is also a good source for information related to dual diagnosis: mental illness and addiction.

This is a resource for those who are dealing with the persistence patterns of codependency and how this has taken over their lives and relationships. See my listing under Codependency for more information related to this lifelong pattern of emotional behavior towards oneself and others.

Traditional 12-step approach to dealing with alcohol addiction issues. If you are thinking about stopping drinking and new to recovery you need support around you that is going to be positive and affirming. Many people talk about how scared they are to attend a meeting, but every person in that meeting was once scared and unsure - all they knew was that alcohol was ruining their lives. This link takes you to local numbers for meetings in Illinois.

This meeting is for people who are addicted to pain killers and other narcotics. You will find that you fit in with this group if you are addicted to narcotics than you would an AA meeting if you are struggling with this addiction. Many people describe their pill addiction as something they can manage, much like other addicts, and if you think you have a problem with pills, you probably do.

My Psychology Today listing: