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Gaslighting, Manipulation, and Emotional Abuse
Gaslighting and manipulation do not always look obvious. Sometimes they happen so gradually that you begin questioning your own memories, reactions, and understanding of what happened. This article explores how emotional abuse distorts reality—and how to begin trusting yourself again.
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When Boundaries Make You Look Like the Bad Guy
Why protecting yourself can look like cruelty to people who benefited from your lack of limits “If your boundaries make you the villain, wear that title with pride.” — Unknown They were right. I had changed. As I described in last week’s article, I am not the same person I was when I drank or…
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Yes, I Am A Different Person
Meet Ashley 5.0 People sometimes say certain things as though they are insults. “You’ve changed.”“You are not the same person you used to be.”“I don’t even recognize you anymore.” I do not really take being told I have changed as an insult. Of course I have changed. I am not intoxicated all the time anymore.…
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Owning My Truth
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou Content Warning: This post contains personal reflections on family relationships, emotional impact, and the challenges of telling my full truth after years of protecting others’ feelings. It discusses what it means to silence parts of your own story to keep…
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Subscribers should now be fixed!
🎉 Good news! 🎉 The subscription feature for Detour From Hell should now be working correctly! 📧💜 If you’ve been wanting to subscribe to receive notifications when new blog posts are published, now is a great time to give it a try. If you experience any issues subscribing or don’t receive the confirmation email, please…
Finding Serenity in Chaos; Surviving Hell
(and making it something beautiful)
In Loving Memory of Dustin Gene Gotham, Forever 32
Mental Health
Domestic Violence
Addiction
Favorite Quote:
When someone says, ” I can’t change”
Some part of them wants to change, but the payoffs for his present behavior, are greater than the payoffs for changed.
Behavior, or his fear of change is too great
Ladies and gentlemen, it takes courage to live your dreams
It takes courage to manifest your greatness
It takes courage to decide to live.”– Les Brown
If you’ve ever felt like life threw a couple, or a hundred too many challenges at you, and you have found it difficult dealing with all the different things that are happening in today’s world, you’re in the right place. My story isn’t polished or pretty — I am an open book. It’s messy, heartbreaking, sometimes darkly funny, and absolutely real. However, it is also about overcoming, rising above, breaking cycles, setting boundaries, and achieving happiness and success after trauma. I decided to start this page to not only get the conversation going on these topics that have too much stigma around them, but also for my own mental health, and hopefully my new career.
Detour From Hell: The Mind of a Hot Mess is where I lay it all out — the raw truth, the ugly cries, the dark humor, the science behind healing, and the wins that keep us moving forward. There will also be a lot of shocking statistics related to MH, Addiction, and Domestic Violence. In this website, you will also find resources, events, a memory board, and more.
Here, you’ll find:
- Personal stories from my journey from the beginning through recovery and mental health
- Honest conversations about addiction, trauma, and domestic violence and the stigma behind it
- Factual insights into what’s really happening in the brain and body when we damage and heal
- And maybe a laugh or two — because sometimes humor is the only thing that keeps us sane!
This isn’t a self-help blog. It’s a self-truth blog. A place for survivors, strugglers, and anyone who’s ever felt like their life took a wrong turn and they’re just trying to find the map again. Even if its just in a part of your life.
So please, grab a cup of coffee (or energy drink 😁 or whatever floats your boat), settle in, and join the conversation. Healing’s a hell of a detour — but we don’t have to walk it alone.
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About the Author
Ashley Alexander, author and creator behind “Detour From Hell”, and I am passionate about sharing real stories, sharing shocking statistics, and providing resources. Read full bio and purpose of blog here.
