When Communication Issues Aren't About Communication coercive control communication issues confusion in relationships emotional abuse emotional withdrawal gaslighting high functioning women love decoded power dynamics relationship clarity relationship psychology self doubt self trust unhealthy relationships Feb 05, 2026

She didn’t think of herself as someone who struggled with relationships.

That was the uncomfortable part.

Her life, on paper, worked. She worked. People trusted her. She made decisions all day long and rarely questioned them. When something went wrong, she knew how to assess it, adjust, and move f...

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ā€œIt’s Not the Drinkā€: Why Substances Don’t Cause Abuse abuse awareness coercive control domestic abuse emotional abuse healing after abuse relationship abuse relationship psychology self-trust substance misuse trauma and recovery Dec 21, 2025

Ā Alcohol and drugs do not cause abusive behaviour.
They reduce inhibition.

That distinction matters more than most people realise.

Substances can impair impulse control, emotional regulation, and social restraint. What they do not do is invent values, attitudes, or belief systems that were not alre...

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