The Clear Horizon

From oblivion of alcoholism into the light of sobriety

  • Do we have a choice where we don’t have a choice?

    It’s a question of training, mindset and perspective, I guess. Given a situation that is truly mind-blowing, fatal or leaves no choice otherwise, it will be difficult to find a possibility of choice. I think, as long as you find a space to maneuver or find a little headspace, though, there can always be a… Read more

  • Political shifts and self efficacy

    I am not commenting on the outcome of the latest elections in eastern Germany, nor the fact that Trump finds it worthwhile enough to post the outcome of the elections. What is more of my concern is that this election will probably have significant consequences in the way political debate will be conducted and how… Read more

  • Institutionalised drinking as excuse for excessive binge drinking

    I’ve just come home from a town fair in the town I live in, which is a textbook example of German social culture: It’s called “Junggesellenfest”, and it’s basically a small fair with two or three fun rides and a lot of stands where you can drink. And drinking is what people do. Well, no… Read more

  • Trying to escape the maelstrom. Why detachment is an important Concept

    What’s the biggest threat for a social worker or other persons working in a likewise business? Bingo. Emotional entanglement. This has been one of my nemeses (is that a plural?) ever since: Getting emotionally entangled when other people suffer or have hard time in an emotional sense. Yes, I have nonetheless, or rather, because of… Read more

  • a quick note on regulating your nervous system

    I listened to my favorite podcast today, and there was the question of regulating your nervous system in terms of winding down or generating emotional beneficial balance or avoiding bad feelings, your choice. I think, for me, there are a few possibilities that work short term, some things that aren’t leading onto a good track… Read more

  • Anxiety, ADHD, alcohol, the prefrontal cortex, learning and the lizard Mode

    Are you familiar with the lizard mode? It is a concept introduced by one of my anti-aggression-coaches. No, not because I was aggressive, but it was a seminar about how to deal with aggressive behavior in youths. It is basically saying that once you are emotionally activated in such a way that all your rationale… Read more

  • Why we don’t learn from experience

    Yes, neurodiversity has a lot of niceties, if you can tap into the powerful upsides and know how to deal with the downsides. One downside, however, is the lack of learning from experience like neuronormal people. What do I mean? Imagine the cat touching the hotplate of a stove and it will remember never to… Read more

  • Is catastrophising anxiety hyperfocus?

    Yes – and no. Catastrophising itself is not like a hyperfocus (to me). But what results as a means to counter or stop the vicious circle of catastrophic whirlwinds in my head is quite like it. Let me explain. Working with clients that suffer from either an addiction or a compulsive disorder/panic attacks/anxiety disorder or… Read more

  • Atomic Habits and self efficacy expectation – Reframing Appointment overwhelm to joyful anticipation

    Reframing has long since become a very important tool to re-condition and rewire certain networks in my brain thanks to neuroplasticity. Otherwise I would have been very unsuccessful regarding stopping to drink alcohol. I have been laboring on the topic for quite a while and I have found some similar difficulties in terms of quitting… Read more

  • Next up: Impulse Control

    Ah, yes. Impulse control. One of the functions that I can rely on worst in my neurodivergence. There are a lot of issues where this is a severe obstacle in my daily life and routines. And most of it is due to the lack of dopamine and noradrenaline when you mist need it. Then overwhelm… Read more