ADDICTIONS Addiction is a disease that is rife in our society. Although most people think of addiction as being centered around substance abuse, such as Alcohol, Marijuana, Cocaine or other narcotics, hallucinogens or stimulants, it can also include things like over-eating, over-working, over-exercising, and sex addiction. Addiction can be seen as any type of behavior that we use to numb ourselves (self-medication) or bolster low self-esteem (external self-esteem regulation). The self-medication type ususally takes the form of alcohol or other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetemines, although it can also include the abuse of prescription medication, or things like over-eating and compulsive sexual behavior (visits to prostitutes, pornography, internet sex etc). I am of the school of thought that it is not the substances themselves that are the problem, but our relationship to the use of them. Simply put, if we are dependent on a substance, or will feel an adverse effect from stopping the use of said substance, then we have a problem. External self-esteen regulation takes the form or behaviors that involve seeking ego boosts to maintain our sense of self. Such behaviors include over-working to achieve success financially or greater prestige, sexual conquest behavior, and abuse of power (such as physical abuse/wife battering). And also included in this catagory would be dependency on relationship ( as in only feeling worthy because one is loved and being unable to sustain being on one’s own for any length of time). Once again, none of these behaviors in themselves are unhealthy, unless we are dependent on them to maintain our self-esteem. And it is often the case that we fool ourselves into believing we are not addicted, by stopping one kind of addictive behavior, only to then begin another (as in the person who gives up cocaine only to begin drinking more alcohol). What also makes dealing with addictions so difficult is that many of them are socially condoned or even actively encouraged in our society (such as over-achieving). Most approaches to dealing with addiction focus on cutting out the addictive behavior. I prefer to work on the underlying causes that lead to addiction, such as unresolved trauma, depression, self-loathing/hatred, a fierce inner critic/judge, feelings of shame, insecurity, inadequacy or a host of other reasons. From this viewpoint, addiction is simply a symptom of an underlying problem, not the problem itself. My experience is that once these underlying problems begin to get addressed and treated, the addictive behavior will cease to have such a pull on the individual, and will be much easier to break free from. And as the individual becomes healthier and happier, the addictive behavior will simply cease, since the need for it has gone. I am certainly not adverse to working the other way around, in terms of having the individual stop the addictive behavior and then developing treatment plans and goals accordingly. For me no one approach is ever the right approach in all situations. We are all individuals and although we share many commonalties, each of us needs to be treated according to our uniqueness. And I do encourage those dealing with addictions to join twelve step/and or recovery programs, especially since these programs enable people to find support, help, encouragement and community around their recovery process. But I do not insist on their joining recovery programs. What feels vital to me is that those I work with know that they can come and seek help to deal with the addiction without having to face the often terrifying prospect of letting go of the addictive behavior first.