Addiction as Dissociation Recovery Model

The Addiction as Dissociation Model presents views addiction as a trauma-related dissociation rather than a disease or moral failing, choice, or a disease. Observing that the drug use is traumatic to the body (and that the body is the psychological unconscious), addiction is an unconscious choice made in the body, and the moral failing are on those who were supposed to know what dissociation is. Highlighted are that addictions can be applied to professional professions, professional organizations, systems, and cultural development. Also, because addictions are not currently identified as transdiagnostic, the missing addictions (perfectionism, altruism, and ambition) are currently going untreated or unrecognized by the law, science, and clinical practice. Lastly, as the absence of transferring addictions supports an transdiagnostic status, it also has major implications for our new emerging field of recovery and healing.

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

1. Trauma-Related Dissociation:
   • Addiction is seen as a coping mechanism for unresolved trauma, where individuals disconnect from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or identity.
   • This perspective shifts focus from treating addiction itself to addressing underlying trauma.
2. Legal Frameworks:
   • The model critiques legal approaches like the war on drugs, suggesting they exacerbate trauma rather than resolve it.
   • Questions the criminalization of addiction if it’s not a disease, but also acknowledges the complexity of legal accountability.
3. Implicit Research Bias and Social Control:
   • Highlights potential political or economic reasons behind laws criminalizing substances with healing properties, such as psychedelics.
   • Points to an oversight in scientific research influenced by these policies.
4. Moral and Ethical Considerations:
   • Argues that legal standards should align more closely with moral-ethical and psychological frameworks, especially concerning addiction treatment.
   • Emphasizes the need for laws to reflect ethical development beyond mere legality, as a result of established psychological research (Kohlberg, Piaget, and Erikson).
5. Constitutional Arguments and Governance:
   • Draws parallels between national governance structures (e.g., separation of church and state) and individual psychological health, suggesting healthy boundaries prevent abuse.
6. Recovery Communities and Alternative Models:
   • Recognizes the role of recovery communities in challenging traditional treatment approaches but calls for more details on proposed changes or alternative methods.
7. Corporations as People:
   • Uses the metaphor of corporate addiction to discuss potential legal and business implications.
8. Further Exploration Needed:
   • Recommends examining foundational studies (e.g., ACE study, Kohlberg/Piaget) and case studies for deeper insights into this model’s application. We suggest taking training or engaging with us on our path.

Overall, the model offers a comprehensive critique of societal approaches to addiction, integrating psychology, law, ethics, and politics. 

References

O’Brien, A. (2023a). Addiction as Trauma-Related Dissociation: A Phenomenological Investigation of the Addictive State. International University of Graduate Studies. (Dissertation). Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/courses/addiction-as-dissociation-model-course/

O’Brien, A. (2023b). Memory Reconsolidation in Psychedelics Therapy. In Path of the Wounded Healer: A Dissociative-Focused Phase Model for Normative and Pathological States of Consciousness: Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/courses/addiction-as-dissociation-model-course/

O’Brien, A. (2023c). Path of the Wounded Healer: A Dissociative-Focused Phase Model for Normative and Pathological States of Consciousness: Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/

O’Brien, A. (2024a). Healer and Healing: The re-education of the healer and healing professions as an advocation. Re-educational and Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/

O’Brien, A. (2024b). Diagnostic Privilege: Meta-Critical Analysis. In Healer and Healing: The re-education of the healer and the healing profession as an advocation. Re-educational and Training Manual and Guide. Appendix 2. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/courses/addiction-as-dissociation-model-course/

O’Brien, A. (2024c).  Meta-Critical Analysis: The “Science” of Pseudoscience. In Healer and Healing: The re-education of the healer and the healing profession as an advocation. Re-educational and Training Manual and Guide. Appendix 3. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/courses/addiction-as-dissociation-model-course/

O’Brien, A. (2024d). Moral-Ethics. In Healer and Healing: The re-education of the healer and healing professions as an advocation. Re-educational and Training Manual and Guide. Chapter 14. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/

O’Brien, A. (2024e). Path of the Wounded Healers for Thrivers: Perfectionism, Altruism, and Ambition Addictions; Re-education and training manual for Abusers, Activists, Batterers, Bullies, Enablers, Killers, Narcissists, Offenders, Parents, Perpetrators, and Warriors. Re-Education and Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/

O’Brien, A. (2025). American Made Addiction Recovery: a healer’s journey through professional recovery. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/