Recovering from Addiction

At the heart of every addict is a complex system of very flawed beliefs that the individual has developed about themselves and the world around them over a long period of time. The root cause of these flawed beliefs often stem from feelings of fear, self-doubt and social anxieties. Outside of the “control” of their addiction normally lies a very insecure individual who sees little worth in themselves.

Addicts generally do not see themselves the way others do - especially prior to addiction taking over. Addicts are normally very intelligent, although believe they are stupid, very well-liked, although believe nobody could ever like them and seriously capable, although they see themselves as failures and incapable. This delusional perception often drives them into addiction where they find purpose, meaning and an escape from the misperception they have of themselves and the world around them. The drug and the culture of addiction provides a solution to their own self-developed disillusioned view of themselves and the world.

Prior to addiction creeping in those that are crippled with the illness are generally very caring, loving, soft and empathetic people. They are at the very core some of the nicest and most gentlest souls which through their experience of life have come to see these characteristics as a weakness. The addiction is developed in order to help them hide this “weakness” and creates in them the opposite - a cold, callous, detached persona that in their own mind they see as being a “safer” option. Removing the “safety” of their drug of choice without helping them discover that the gentleness inside them is not a weakness but a strength will never work and generally just pushes them into their greatest fears.

Recovery from addiction revolves around one simple truth - the addict is not a failure, is not inadequate, is not doomed to be rejected, unloved or neglected in fact he/she is fully capable, fully loveable and a phenomenal contributing member of society - they just need to embrace what they once saw as a weakness and turn it into a strength. They need to become the kind, compassionate, caring souls that deep down they know they are. They need to overcome their fear that these characteristics will leave them at the mercy of a cruel world and realise that the development of these characteristics will in fact empower them and set them apart, in a good way, from the world.

This is of course easier said than done and involves a very in-depth treatment approach that challenges the very flaws of their perceptions, deals with the experiences that they have used to justify and validate their flawed beliefs and perceptions and to then develop a brand new set of beliefs which will drive an entirely new purpose and passion for life.