Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Addiction

Peggy, as a person without professional or specialized knowledge, I assume addictive behaviors are forms of self-medication - "filling holes" created from childhood experiences, genetic chemical deficits or wrong turns in life. No doubt, once the pleasure centers of a brain have been programed for stimulation, there is a deeply felt "loss" when it's withdrawn. Of course there are no guarantees, and certainly no hope for change, without the participation of the person with the problem. My interpretation of the article is: By creating a loving, interesting and supportive environment, with responsibility and self-esteem building, purposeful work (or volunteerism) the person suffering is OFFERED the motivation, reward system, distractions and positive alternatives needed to move beyond their "loss". The loss of their love for the stimulant.

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