Much has been said and written on the subject of addiction and we have no desire to simply repeat it. For the sake of clarity of our treatise we will provide a brief outline of the basics. Though most materials on the subject tend to focus on some particular substance that is considered addictive, that is really dependency, a related field but not the same subject. Addiction is about an experience that serves to ameliorate or relieve habitual stress and or emotional trauma and pain.
At the heart of this core or mass of emotional pain is shame. Shame differs from guilt in that guilt is feelings about what we did and shame is about our self image, who we think we are. Guilt may say we have taken that which does not belong to us but shame calls us a thief. Through shame we have a negative self image.
As our memories are brought forward by similar images or sensual input we are again assaulted by the pain of that shame. All human beings need to have good feelings about themselves but, unfortunately, we tend to fulfill our self image through our behavior. The more we behave in ways that validate the shame the greater the core or mass of shame is built.
Within a very short period of time in our life span we become obsessive and then compulsive. Our shame resides much closer to the surface and is easily contacted. We develop a variety of "defense mechanisms" or behaviors designed to relieve the pain of that shame, most of which involved manipulative and harmful behavior toward others. It becomes a very complex game that damages all relationships and is only partially successful.
For most individuals at this stage of addiction substance is now required that will dull or lessen the pain. The most socially accepted substance for emotional pain is alcoholic beverages. Close behind alcohol, and rapidly closing the gap, is drugs. Though someone who has not lived that lifestyle may not perceive street drugs as socially acceptable, most of us are introduced to the idea by our physician.
There is a large selection of prescription medications designed to relieve stress and emotional pain. These medications are, for the most part, appropriately used and prescribed by honest and reputable physicians. The abuse comes to play when the underlying cause for that pain is not properly addressed.
Though modern psychology and psychiatry have made considerable gains in the treatment of drug and alcohol dependency, there must be cooperation by the patient before the underlying addiction can be treated. The reason for this is that addiction resides in a place where the professional cannot reach. It resides in our inner reality. That place where each of us lives alone and each of us is unique. This is the home of our spirituality. In this inner reality our perceptions or spirituality have become damaged or distorted into something we can no longer use to help ourselves.
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