Integrative Recovery Therapy/
Yoga For Recovery™
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Mind/Body Practices and Addiction
What is Addiction?
Addiction comes in many forms. Drug and alcohol abuse cause the greatest devastation, but gambling, workaholism,eating disorders and sex addiction also wreak havoc on peoples lives.
What drives one to recklessly pursue an addiction with total disregard for the consequences?
Science has shown there is a physiological disconnect in the brain function,where self control becomes nonexistent. The portion of the brain that causes us to put down our forks when we are full no longer properly functions.
What are the perceived benefits of using the addiction(s) of choice?
Most people who suffer from addiction state that they use to dull the pain, or to escape their problems. An immediate sense of relief is experienced upon using, followed by despair. When a person believes that the pleasures received from the addiction are the only mechanism for functioning, a perceived mission for survival ensues. Even though the consequences are repeatedly devastating, the quest for the chosen addiction becomes the person’s primary life pursuit. A sincere belief develops that they can not go on living without the addiction. There are no other mechanisms in place for coping with the stresses of daily living.
Addiction comes in many forms. Drug and alcohol abuse cause the greatest devastation, but gambling, workaholism,eating disorders and sex addiction also wreak havoc on peoples lives.
What drives one to recklessly pursue an addiction with total disregard for the consequences?
Science has shown there is a physiological disconnect in the brain function,where self control becomes nonexistent. The portion of the brain that causes us to put down our forks when we are full no longer properly functions.
What are the perceived benefits of using the addiction(s) of choice?
Most people who suffer from addiction state that they use to dull the pain, or to escape their problems. An immediate sense of relief is experienced upon using, followed by despair. When a person believes that the pleasures received from the addiction are the only mechanism for functioning, a perceived mission for survival ensues. Even though the consequences are repeatedly devastating, the quest for the chosen addiction becomes the person’s primary life pursuit. A sincere belief develops that they can not go on living without the addiction. There are no other mechanisms in place for coping with the stresses of daily living.
What do Mind/Body Practices have to do with Recovery from Addiction?
Many of the ancient disciplines teach that true peace and happiness are only found within and cannot be achieved through outer means, such as turning outside of ourselves for substances. This makes them an excellent therapy for addiction recovery.
They also teach us to develop our witness consciousness. This is the part of the self that observes the mind, emotions and behavior. As we become increasingly aware of the functioning of our minds, we begin to realize that we have the power to choose whether to trust the thoughts or to dismiss them. We cultivate the freedom of choice to decide whether to act on our thoughts in each moment. This is the path to true freedom from addiction.
The most profound teaching of Integrative Recovery Therapy/Yoga for Recovery is that a higher power exists within each and every individual and that sometimes this power lies dormant and only needs nurturing to be awakened. Once awakened, it can guide one to a state of inner peace and freedom. And the very process of cultivating that awakening can heal and sustain us throughout all the ups and downs of our lives.
Many of the ancient disciplines teach that true peace and happiness are only found within and cannot be achieved through outer means, such as turning outside of ourselves for substances. This makes them an excellent therapy for addiction recovery. They also teach us to develop our witness consciousness. This is the part of the self that observes the mind, emotions and behavior. As we become increasingly aware of the functioning of our minds, we begin to realize that we have the power to choose whether to trust the thoughts or to dismiss them. We cultivate the freedom of choice to decide whether to act on our thoughts in each moment. This is the path to true freedom from addiction.
The most profound teaching of Integrative Recovery Therapy/Yoga for Recovery is that a higher power exists within each and every individual and that sometimes this power lies dormant and only needs nurturing to be awakened. Once awakened, it can guide one to a state of inner peace and freedom. And the very process of cultivating that awakening can heal and sustain us throughout all the ups and downs of our lives.