Mental illness and addiction, as well as betrayal trauma, can be parallel struggles! And it can be very difficult to understand where one starts and the other begins, or which one leads to the other. In this episode, Mark talks raw and real about his own struggles with mental illness that began as a small child and how that morphed into and ran alongside his decades of addiction. Mark and Steve also discuss some important aspects of mental illness and addiction/betrayal trauma—-  Addiction can be its "own" mental illness/brain dis-order, but also interacts toxically with other conditions--the "catalyst effect" and "the chicken and the egg." -  Addiction can MIMIC and/or trigger mental illness symptoms related to ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, shame and depression, anxiety and many others. -  HOW can we BREAK the CYCLE?  First of all, there is GREAT HOPE! Second, we can eliminate certain "variables" to get on a healthy path. There are also certain areas we can STABILIZE.  Also, be REALISTIC about expectations—it's about PROGRESS not PERFECTION. Safety is created in the TRAJECTORY not necessarily the DESTINATION. -  Mark and Steve give a very specific assignment that is VERY HELPFUL!Find out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling ServicesHere's an article about healing Betrayal Trauma—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/healing-betrayal-trauma-videoWant to learn more about HOW to break free from porn?—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/overcome-porn-sex-addictionWondering if your marriage can survive porn and sex addiction? This article will give you some hope—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/can-marriage-survive-pornHow can you "heal" your marriage relationship?—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/how-to-mend-your-marriageIt's here! Mark & Steve's online recovery, healing and support program—Dare to Connect!3 times every week, you get Mark and Steve for 30-minute LIVE support & mentoring sessions (a total of 1 1/2 hours!). Monday for Addicts; Wednesday for Spouses; and Friday for Couples.Conquer Addiction, Heal Betrayal Trauma and Repair Your Relationship!Visit:   www.DareToConnectNow.com