Overcoming addiction is one of the greatest challenges a person can face. Often it requires every tool available: medical support, social support family support, psychotherapy and persistence. EFT augments and supports treatment at every step in the recovery process. It reduces stress and anxiety; it treats trauma and other negative emotions, without retraumatization; it eliminates barriers to treatment and increases self care.
The typical approach to treating addiction is to view any addiction as a problem. However, it is important to understand that the addiction is not the problem but a carefully constructed solution to a problem that the addicted person has yet to identify or solve. Unfortunately, the solution eventually causes problems that compromise the emotional and physical health of addicted people and their loved ones. It is those secondary problems become the focus of society and treatment. Generally, the primary problem is ignored.
If the addiction is not the problem – then what is the problem?
The problem is rooted in an addicted person’s negative belief system, which results in a negative view of self, a negative view of life and a negative view of making positive changes. This overwhelming negative view is usually a result of unresolved emotional issues and/or traumas experienced in the past. When unable to resolve past issues, a person may attempt to tranquilize the feelings with addictive substances like drugs, alcohol or tobacco, or behaviors like gambling, pyromania, kleptomania and sex addiction.
A person struggling with addiction is most often an individual who is emotionally stuck in past negative events. As a result, the addicted person often feels overwhelmed by life’s demands, and finds relief in the addictive substance or behavior.
A physical dependency exists if someone is habitually using substances like alcohol, drugs and tobacco to feel better. These drugs are called psychoactive substances and they temporarily alter the chemicals of the brain. In cases of serious or long-term addiction, withdrawal from the substance may have physical side effects like pain and/or tremors.
Someone who has a psychological dependency may engage in potentially harmful behaviors in order to feel better. These may include gambling, pornography, shopping, sex, internet use and food. It is the compulsive preoccupation with the behavior that makes it addictive and damaging. When withdrawing from these addictions, a person may experience psychological withdrawal symptoms like anger, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and/or depression.
Whether viewed as a disease, a biological disorder or physical and psychological dependency, addictions are treatable by addressing unresolved emotional issues and/or traumas. At Self-Care Power, we use Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to balance the body’s emotional and energetic charge caused by past traumas. Typically, as balance is restored, the need for the addictive substance or behavior relaxes … or is eliminated. Further, we encourage participation in 12 Step support groups to provide a focus on recovery and long-term sobriety as well as opportunity to replace emotional isolation with community.
In addition to addressing your particular dependency, you can gain relief from both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms by working with Emotional Freedom Techniques.