Addiction and Recovery: A Different Point of View
Humans can use almost anything to distract themselves from discomfort. When the need for distraction becomes a 'have too' instead of a 'want to', we have moved from living to surviving. The Modern Mindwork definition of addiction is when the use of "X" becomes a requirement of internal stability. X can be alcohol, substances, food, exercise, spending, relationships, doom scrolling.
After the lock down we have found that many humans are on the merry-go-round of addiction. They stop using alcohol and suddenly sugar is a problem. Put down the sugar and then it's amazon packages arriving daily. Stop shopping online and find that you can't stop doom scrolling. These are all indications of a brain struggling with safety and peace.
Growing and becoming a self-actualizing person requires us to sit and work through difficult emotions and experiences. This work occurs when we allow ourselves to feel all the feelings and care for ourselves as loving, compassionate self parents.
At Modern Mindwork, we meet humans where they are in their process and support them as they learn and grow.
Finding Peace, Equanimity and Internal Emotional Safety
- Do you feel like your mind is constantly in chaos, as if you are at a relentless party with nine squirrels?
- Do you spend your days attempting to manage your compulsions and resist self-soothing behaviors that do more harm than good?
- Is your solution to stress and emotional pain controlling you, rather than you choosing it?
The first step to resolve self-soothing behavior is to recognise your own inability to sit with the difficult emotions that being human demands. At Modern Mindwork, our interventions are designed not just to help you stop reacting but also to equip you with tools to achieve internal safety and peace.
Human Nature: Addiction and Dependence
At Modern Mindwork, we acknowledge that addiction is deeply rooted in the human condition. In essence, addiction is the habitual reliance on external factors to avoid confronting internal turmoil. While often stemming from an individual's struggle to cope with overwhelming emotions, traumas, or unresolved conflicts within themselves, it causes them to turn to substances, behaviors and relationships as a crutch and a means of escape.
These mechanisms may provide short-term relief but as they become more entrenched, it becomes increasingly difficult to face uncomfortable realities and inner struggles without them.
Addiction thrives in isolation and disconnection. Individuals who numb their internal pain through external means, inadvertently distance themselves from authentic connections and experiences. This isolation perpetuates feelings of emptiness and alienation, and encourages inclinations towards dependence and avoidance. In essence, the cycle of addiction is reinforced and becomes a barrier to genuine self-awareness and interpersonal relationships.
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A New Vision for the Future
If you are struggling with addiction, the path forward might seem daunting, especially if you have tried to break the cycle of addiction in the past. Traditional therapies and solutions may have failed to manage the complex interplay of physiological and psychological challenges that individuals face as they journey through the hard transition to a life without avoidance and dependence.
This is a journey that requires individuals to embrace a path of self-discovery and healing, however, it will often require individual effort, professional support and medical resources. Our role as addiction cessation professionals is to provide the knowledge, pharmacological support, and mechanisms of safety that allow you to heal.
Imagine a day when you can wake from a restful sleep or manage a stressful day without resorting to harmful habits. That day can be a reality.
Embracing the Journey
By cultivating mindfulness, self compassion and developing healthy coping mechanisms, individuals can learn to be present with their emotions without resorting to external escapism. Through introspection, support, and perseverance, individuals can reclaim control over their lives and break free from the cycle of addiction, paving the way for authentic self-expression, fulfillment and genuine connection with others.
Unfortunately, many patients discover (through no fault of their own) that holistic and mindful practices are insufficient to break the cycle of addiction. The human brain is a complex ecosystem, controlling behaviors and being controlled by innate physiological functions. In many ways, we are held hostage by the brain’s unique chemistry and mechanisms that may determine the success or failure of our actions, despite our best efforts.
Ketamine infusion therapy offers a groundbreaking approach that allows the brain to step out of habituated negative actions and heal.
Ketamine Therapies: Transforming Recovery
Ketamine infusion therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy offers a novel approach that enables the brain to break free from harmful cycles of addiction.
The amygdala plays a crucial role in processing emotions, particularly fear and anxiety. Studies suggest that ketamine may help calm and normalize the amygdala, reducing the overwhelming emotional responses that fuel addictive behavior. Often, other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD co-occur with addiction. Ketamine appears to modulate the activity of the amygdala, potentially reducing its hyperactivity associated with these conditions.
Additionally, studies show that ketamine infusion therapy positively influences:
- Prefrontal Cortex: Enhances decision-making, emotional regulation and working memory.
- Limbic System: Creates rapid antidepressant effects, and promotes emotional resilience and mood improvement.
- Neuroplasticity: Enhances synaptic plasticity and promotes the growth of new synapses, improving cognitive functioning and allowing the brain to heal.
- Neurotransmitter Balance: Ketamine also helps regulate glutamate transmission, responsible for mood dysregulation.
Targeting the underlying causes of addiction with a multifaceted approach led by addiction cessation professionals, provides new hope for individuals caught in a cycle of addiction, recovery and relapse.
Recovery from the hopeless state of being an imperfect human is a lifelong journey. Whether your struggle involves substances, compulsive behaviors, or relationship dependencies, Modern Mindwork is here to support you in your journey.
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Modern Mindwork offers individualized, safe and effective ketamine therapy. We provide personalized care and support, empowering you to regain control over your life and achieve lasting well-being through the transformative benefits of ketamine infusion therapy.
Take the first step towards healing today.