Addiction as Dissociation Continued

The Addiction as Dissociation Model (ADM) discussed is called “Addiction as Trauma-Related Dissociation.” This means that when someone becomes addicted to something, whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or even behaviors like gambling, it might be because of underlying trauma that they haven’t processed properly. The idea is that the addiction serves as a coping mechanism for dealing with past traumas. But when the research literature has already found that one can be addicted to trauma itself, we have to ask: Why are substances and gambling the only diagnosable addiction disorders?

Key Concepts: A drug use or experience can be traumatic, producing trauma-related dissociation. Pain-related dissociation engages the endogenous opiate system, potentially producing an addiction to dissociation and to pain itself. The SEEKING system (from affective neuroscience), which refers to our natural drive to seek out rewards or pleasurable experiences, becomes impaired by drug use or overwhelming experience. The Default Mode Network (DMN), which is involved in self-referential thought and memory processes, is also involved. Endogenous opiate, cannabinoid, psychedelic, and oxytocin (a hormone associated with bonding and trust) systems produce heightened senses and altered states of awareness. All of these natural systems are implicated in both trauma and addiction. Rather than attributing addiction solely to genetics, pain/pleasure systems, learned behavior, evolutionary necessity, or personal choice, ADM proposes that since dissociation is a normal response to a normal event, the conditioning pattern of habit and trauma-related stress produces dissociative expressions and motivations. With this knowledge, human behavior and personality structures are revealed, and healing becomes possible.

ADM posits that since memory reconsolidation (MR) is seen as an unconscious psychological healing process, dissociation can lead to addictive self-repairing. MR is a process in which old memories can be updated or changed when they’re recalled, suggesting that using techniques MR may aid in treating addiction by altering trauma-related and dissociated memories. Through MR, healing occurs by changing a person’s relationship to their memories. We can alter the emotional charge of traumatic memories, reduce the cravings associated with addictive behavior, and lessen the impact of triggers. Because these memories can trigger intense urges for substances or behaviors, the ability to manage memory systems through dissociative mechanisms becomes possible– once regulation is established.

ADM posits that trauma bonding– the formation of strong emotional connections despite harmful circumstances, such as in abusive relationships– arises from unresolved attachment, developmental, and dependency dynamics rooted in primary relationships and preverbal traumas. This concept is applied to addiction, suggesting that the addictive behavior becomes a coping mechanism born from past traumas and a deep need for some sort of emotional connection or relief. If higher levels of oxytocin can reduce addictive behaviors by promoting feelings of safety and connection rather than dependence on substances, then experiencing positive events and creating positive memories becomes an intrinsic motivation– one that helps repair the wounded aspects of self and its memories. Conditioning positive experiences is, in essence, what self-help practices aim to do.

Reward-seeking behavior (SEEKING) and fear-based survival mechanisms involved in trauma and dissociative repair is often misidentified as the core issue by the unsuspecting self. Addiction may start as a way to seek relief but soon becomes entangled with fear responses rooted in past unresolved trauma. What creates the cycle that is so hard to break is energetically relational, based in attachment, and biologically founded.

As with the “helper’s high”– which refers to the positive feelings people experience from helping others– we can start to see how this dynamic might tie into addiction. Enabling behaviors become a way for both the addict and the enabler to bond through shared experiences of trauma. This suggests that perfectionism, altruism, and ambition addictions are ready to be recognized by the organizations that currently operate with more power and control than they need.

The role of oxytocin in all this is interesting. If oxytocin is involved in bonding and trust, then supporting its production, along with that of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins (e.g., through exercise), could serve as a therapeutic strategy to help people form healthier connections instead of relying on substances or addictive behaviors. If addiction is the hijacking of these systems, then helping the brain re-associate substances with feelings of safety and connection (normally mediated by oxytocin) could be a pathway to de-conditioning them from memory systems.

ADM suggests that trauma bonding and dependent relationships explain why addicts may form attachments to their substance of choice as though it were a partner. This dependent bond is reinforced through repeated use, creating a cycle in which the substance is sought after not just for a high, but also for emotional regulation, perceived stability, and a sense of control amid an otherwise chaotic life. Emotionally regulating and attuning to the drug becomes the type of relationship created.

Reflecting on the idea that dissociation serves as a coping mechanism for trauma, if someone cannot process their pain, they may disconnect from reality, and substances can facilitate this dissociative state. Over time, this reliance on substances to cope with trauma leads to addiction, making it both a symptom of deeper issues and a maladaptive behavior in itself. What becomes apparent when one recognizes that dissociation is addicting is that addiction is dissociative, just as ‘dependence’ is another word for addiction.

The ADM model challenges traditional views of addiction as solely a moral failing, conscious choice, disease, or a lack of willpower. Instead, it frames addiction as a complex interplay of emotional, psychological, and neurobiological factors rooted in past trauma, adaptive conditioning, and implicit reasoning. Grounded in a willingness to evolve, remain open, and see an experience through, “addiction as dissociation” answers the question: How does humanity get back to where it came?

Normative ranges and cyclical/reciprocal processes may seem abstract, but when we begin to see these patterns as a spectrum, we can recognize how they all connect. This suggests that while addictive behaviors can vary widely, they still fit within predictable patterns driven by underlying mechanisms related to trauma and dissociation. Studies showing that trauma treatments like EMDR can reduce cravings offer intriguing insight into the nature of consciousness and states of awareness. ADM proposes that addressing the root cause of addiction– unprocessed trauma, which is really dissociation– is more effective than focusing solely on addiction symptoms.

The ADM model informs treatment approaches by presenting addiction as a trauma-dissociation pathology– a new/old conceptualization worth revisiting. If addiction is seen as a trauma response, then therapeutic interventions should go beyond withdrawal symptom management and focus on resolving the original traumas that led to the addiction in the first place. However, both clinical experience and the trauma consensus model challenge the idea that this is where healing should start.

The document’s conclusion underscores the potential for healing through directly addressing these underlying mechanisms. It should make readers hopeful for more integrated treatment approaches that combine trauma therapy with traditional addiction care, potentially leading to more sustainable, long-term outcomes.

Overall, while there are some complex theories and concepts presented here, the core idea is that addiction isn’t just about seeking pleasure or substances; it’s deeply intertwined with how individuals cope with past traumas. By understanding and addressing these underlying issues, we might find more effective ways to help people overcome addiction.

Here’s a structured summary of the key insights and reflections:

Key Concepts:

1. Trauma-Related Dissociation: Addiction is seen as a result of unprocessed trauma, where individuals use substances or behaviors to cope with emotional pain.
2. SEEKING Drive: From affective neuroscience, this refers to our natural inclination to seek rewards; a drive that, in the context of addiction, can be hijacked by substances or behaviors.
3. Default Mode Network (DMN): Involved in self-referential thought and memory, its dysregulation may contribute to addictive behaviors.
4. Oxytocin: Associated with bonding and trust, it’s noted as a potential therapeutic target for addiction.

Memory and Healing:

• Memory Reconsolidation: Techniques like EMDR can alter the emotional charge of traumatic memories, potentially reducing cravings by addressing their root causes.
• Healing Through Therapy: Altering the emotional impact of trauma through therapy may diminish addictive triggers.

Trauma Bonding and Addiction:

• Addicts may form strong bonds with substances or behaviors– akin to trauma bonding in abusive relationships– to seek relief from emotional pain.

Neurobiological Factors:

• Oxytocin’s Role: While implicated in bonding, its role in addiction is complex. In short, oxytocin can be used to foster healthier connections that may offer therapeutic benefits.
• Cannabinoid System: Involved in dissociation and healing, suggesting a link between trauma response and substance use.

Real-Life Applications:

• Addiction as a coping mechanism for past traumas, such as abuse, highlights the need for integrated treatment approaches that address both addiction and the underlying trauma.

Treatment Implications:

• Therapies should focus on processing trauma rather than solely managing withdrawal symptoms.
• Integrated approaches that combine trauma therapy with traditional addiction treatments may yield better outcomes.

Conclusion:

This document explores the concept of “addiction as trauma-related dissociation,” suggesting that addiction is not merely a pursuit of pleasure, but a coping mechanism for unresolved trauma. The model challenges traditional views of addiction, framing it as a complex interplay of emotional, psychological, and neurobiological factors. By addressing underlying traumas, more effective and compassionate treatment approaches can be developed, offering hope for long-term recovery.

This synthesis emphasizes the need for a holistic understanding of addiction, recognition of its roots in trauma and dissociation, and advocation for comprehensive therapeutic strategies to address these complexities.