Beyond Addiction:: Making Recovery More Effective

2014 Thomas G. Beley, PhD, LCSW. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/28/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-4620-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-4621-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-4622-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013923691

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1   Why A Person Can’t Stop:Understanding the Science of Addiction

Chapter 2   Drugs and Alcohol Are Not the Problem,They Have Been the Solution!

Chapter 3   Emotions, Feelings, and Behavior:A Key to Recovery

Chapter 4   Human Needs and Addiction

Chapter 5   Our Belief System:An Innate Source of Power

Chapter 6   Spirituality:A Source of Healing

Chapter 7   Knowing and Doing:A Blueprint for Recovery

Chapter 8   Maintaining Balance and Well-Being:Aligning the Mind and Body

Chapter 9   Negotiating the Barriers to Recovery

Chapter 10   For Family, Friends, and Others

Reflections

References

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge all those people who at one time or another played an integral role in my professional and personal development. To all of you I owe a debt of gratitude, which can never be fully repaid.

To the late Murray Bowen, MD and the faculty and staff of the Georgetown Family Center, currently the Bowen Center for the Study of Families, for helping me to forge an evolving theory on the natural forces of human behavior. It has been a delight to observe this theory withstand the test of time and to grow stronger with the advent of the continuing research in the field of the neurosciences.

To Charles Barton, MD and E. Carol Webster, PhD who taught me the role and value of discipline within the therapeutic process. They were true mentors and supervisors who recognized the science of psychotherapy before it became fashionable.

To my current clinical family and team of practitioners at Palm Partners Recovery Center in Delray Beach, Florida, particularly William Murdorf, MSW, PhD and Gerard Jerry Egan, MSW, LMHC who have been steadfast in exploring new knowledge and new ideas on treating addiction.

To my two forces of positive influence. A special thanks to Sachi Ananda, BA, CAP, the peaceful, quiet, spiritual warrior, who was instrumental in designing and formatting the ideas and content in Chapter 2. And to Doug McGuirk who helped me conceptualize the simplicity of our basic human needs discussed in Chapter 8.

To Vince Simone, JD, CAP who was instrumental in editing this book. Thank you for all your guidance and assistance, particularly in re-visiting my formative school years of grammar, when obviously I was not paying attention. You have given new meaning to me about the power of the comma. In essence, you are the best.

Finally, for whom all things are possible, Peter Harrigan, CEO, Palm Healthcare, who truly has been a mentor, an inspiring force, and a real visionary when it comes to addiction and recovery. Without his passion, dedication, and support this book would not have been possible. It is an extremely rewarding experience and honor working with you over the past ten years and I know greater things are yet to come. The work at Palm Healthcare will no doubt set an industry standard of excellence when it comes to treating addiction from a holistic perspective. Thank you for an environment of creativity, research, and unending possibilities.

Dedication

To Edith, my wife. Your patience, support, and love constitute the very essence of inspiration and remain a guiding force in my life.

Preface

This book is not so much about addiction as it is about recovery. Although we will strive to better understand some of the basic neurobiological processes underlying addiction (It is just not genetics alone), we will also explore how these same neurobiological processes are essential to recovery. The contention, here, is that if there is a science of addiction, there must also be a science of recovery. In addition, we will also examine how our behavior plays a crucial role in both the processes of addiction and of recovery.

Despite the wealth of information that has come forth in recent years, particularly in the field of the neurosciences, addiction continues to remain an enigma for many. Professionals, family members, and those who are still suffering from this deadly disorder, alike, are often perplexed as to what needs to be done in order to achieve a successful recovery. Professionals are often inadequately or poorly trained. One only has to look at the respective university curriculums regarding the time devoted to understanding addiction or substance use. Families have been relegated to self-help groups, which is a further indication that the established health and education systems have failed to meet their needs. For the person who suffers from an addictive disorder, intervention is often relegated to self-help groups, time limited treatment programs that espouse differing, and often conflicting, philosophies and approaches or, as is the case for many, intervention is jail or prison. Unfortunately, incarceration, which is a by-product of the addiction process, is more the result of failing or ineffectively intervening with a person in a timely manner.

I believe that part of the problem stems from the lack of basic general knowledge regarding addiction. Despite some significant progress, there remains a general resistance to accepting addiction as a bona fide medical condition that is influenced by specific neurobiological processes that follows a disease process. Even for those who have accepted the concept of the disease process, there has been the tendency to emphasize a person’s genetic make-up as the reason for addiction. Although genetics does play a role, it must be pointed out that it plays a very small role. Addiction is an equal opportunity, non-gender, non-ethnic, non-culturally specific disorder that can affect anyone at anytime. Addiction is a process, and unless addressed, anyone can become a victim. Every person has the capacity to become addicted.

This book is an attempt to reduce the confusion, the ambiguity, and the frustration that many feel when dealing with the many facets of an addiction. It is also an attempt to examine the science of the recovery process. There is a wealth of research on the science of addiction, however, there is very little on the science of recovery.

In taking on such an endeavor, I want to make my apologies in advance. To the many professionals, researchers, and scientists who through the years have been tirelessly committed in their research to discover the intricacies of addiction. My explanations of the neurobiological processes of the brain do not do justice to the depth and intensity of your research. In trying to take a down-to-earth, basic approach, a risk exists that the true ramifications of the research is minimized. In no way is this intended and, hopefully, readers will examine the research that is cited throughout the book for the more in-depth explanations.

To the families, friends, and loved ones who are involved with someone who may be in the throes of the addiction process. Some of the material presented may seem to be too academic or presented with too much scientific jargon. I have tried to present the information in a straightforward manner that would make sense to a layperson. I have also tried to use helpful metaphors and analogies where appropriate, hopefully, not confusing the reader even more.

Finally, to the person who may be suffering from an addiction. As you will see, this book is also a workbook, a workbook for you. The exercises are intended for you to begin to take a closer look at how you think, how you feel, and what it is that you have to change about your life. In other words, if you want to recover and to enjoy life again, you have to do the work. More important than the desire to stop drinking and drugging is the willingness to work your recovery. The theme of recovery is the joy of good living, and action is the magic word. To that end, this is your beginning.

Introduction

As was already mentioned in the preface, this book is more about understanding recovery than it is about understanding addiction. Although the reader will hopefully have a better grasp of the concept of addiction and the addiction process, it is also intended for the reader to challenge their own biases and ideas about what it is that needs to be accomplished for a successful recovery to take place. The notion that the disease of addiction is cunning, baffling, and powerful needs to be carefully examined. Granted, the disease of addiction is cunning and powerful. However, it is no longer baffling. Research has clearly delineated the parameters of addiction, and with that knowledge, we are now in a better position than ever before to know how to intervene in the process. The adage of relapse being a part of recovery is simply not true. We now have the knowledge not only to intervene with an addiction, but also to establish a plan of prevention regardless of the genetic make-up of the person.

The various chapters address key elements of the addiction and the recovery processes. After each chapter there are valuable and instructive exercises for the reader to complete.

Chapter 1, Why a Person Can’t Stop: Understanding the Science of Addiction, focuses on some of the basic neurobiological brain processes that support the concept of addiction as a disease. It examines the process of addiction existing on a continuum and posits that everybody is subject to an addictive disorder regardless of genetics. This chapter also lays the groundwork for the development of the science of recovery.

Chapter 2, Drugs and Alcohol Are Not the Problem, They Are the Solution! addresses the idea that most people with addictive disorders train themselves into addiction. Although genetics is factored into the process of addiction, the contention is that drugs and alcohol are used more as a means for relieving the discomfort that is occurring in a person’s life surrounding key level of functioning areas. Emphasis is placed on examining these core levels of functioning areas in better understanding, not only how these areas may perpetuate an addiction, but also how these levels of functioning areas are crucial for developing a successful recovery.

Chapter 3, Emotions, Feelings, and Behavior: A Key to Recovery examines the relationship between our emotions and our behaviors. Particular emphasis is placed on how our behaviors are often driven by the emotional part of the brain and it is these behaviors that initiate the process of addiction. Emphasis is also placed on differentiating between the emotional and feeling states of a person.

Chapter 4, Human Needs and Addiction, takes a look at six (6) basic human needs that influence a person’s behavior. Examining these basic needs not sheds light on how addiction fulfills some of our basic needs, but also gives insight on the leverage that can be used in developing a more effective intervention plan. Everybody does not place the same value on these particular needs. Knowing what is important to a person can make a major difference in maintaining a sober lifestyle.

Chapter 5, Our Belief System: An Innate Source of Power, examines how our beliefs and our belief system can influence our neurobiological make-up. Particular emphasis is placed on how a person can develop their belief system, including both limiting and empowering beliefs, and how these beliefs can become engrained within the neural network of the brain. A questioned is also posed to the reader as to what really constitutes a person’s belief. A questioned is also raised how much of one’s belief comes from self and how much has been formulated by others.

Chapter 6, Spirituality: A Source for Healing, focuses on the important role that spirituality plays in healing. There has been compelling and persuasive research that shows that spirituality can, and does, play a significant role in the healing process.

Chapter 7, Knowing and Doing: A Blueprint for Recovery, examines the practical side of recovery. A test question is posed to the reader as to whether they have control over a relapse. For the reader who may answer, Yes, this chapter will explain why that person is wrong from a neurobiological perspective. It also outlines what a person needs to do not only to attain, but to maintain, a successful recovery.

Chapter 8, Maintaining Balance and Well-Being: Aligning the Mind and Body, addresses the role of stress, neurobiology, and coping as key elements to maintaining a person’s sense of balance and well-being. Particular emphasis is placed on the inter-relationship of these three key elements and how an imbalance can lead to symptomatic behaviors and illness. There is also a focus on the importance of learning how to differentiate which one of these three areas needs to be the point of focus. Although all three are considered important, there is usually only one of these areas that is taking precedence when a person is exhibiting symptomatic behavior.

Chapter 9, Negotiating the Barriers to Recovery, focuses on some of the more common barriers that a person faces in recovery. Often a person does well in the early part of recovery only to be confronted with real life circumstances that easily distract the person away from their recovery plan. This chapter emphasizes the importance of integrating recovery planning with life planning. Attention must be devoted to both on a continuing basis. It is important for the person in recovery to continually revise their recovery plan to deal with the evolving challenges of life. Issues such as denial, complacency, emotions and feelings, relationships, and personal development are examined.

Chapter 10,