The article in the attached link presents a different approach to addiction and its reward mechanism, emphasizing strategies to increase the chances of a successful rehab from any addiction. Following self-healing principles, there is a close connection between addictions and the subconscious mind that often stores unresolved traumatic events. (Which we would rather forget)
- In childhood and adolescence, the mind is still unable to withstand mental traumas associated with experiences of rejection, abandonment, distance, jealousy, and so on. The ability of the subconscious to perceive and store unresolved traumatic events is minimal. Outbreaks at these ages are often not in chronic morbidity but addictions! Curiosity and accessibility are just sub-factors!
Addiction not only manifests itself in certain chemicals (such as nicotine) but also, mainly, as a psycho-energetic phenomenon. Releasing traumatic, non-resolved issues from the past that caused the addiction is far more complicated than detoxification from the addictive substances. The reward mechanism of addiction bypasses logic and persuasion and causes damage to the addict and sometimes the environment; without it, the addict cannot stop, even though they are aware of the damage!
The reward mechanism of addictions is not only chemical but primarily an energetic tool for conserving any organism's critical life-force energy.
The first task in any rehab program is releasing the subconscious mind's initial and painful traumatic memories.
- Achieving successful rehab from any addiction requires reconstructing the past traumatic events that caused the energy blockage and created this addiction's need from the start. Traumatic memories are usually stored subconsciously (as part of the mental defense mechanisms). They are often challenging to retrieve (sometimes they involve memories of parents or family members who are no longer alive.) The rehab process requires releasing the trauma from the subconscious to the conscious, where one can be forgiven and let go of the painful memories. Trauma release does not require forgetting.
- Most people are unable to reconstruct traumatic events on their own. I needed dozens of sessions in a type of treatment not available worldwide, similar to hypnosis. It is hard to believe in retrospect that these events at the time caused the severe liver disease I experienced.
Link: Addictions Unifying Model with its Unique Energy-reward Mechanism.
