Addiction and Spiritual Therapy

Addiction and Spiritual Therapy

Chief Chaplain Michael Pollitt, D.Min, BCC, CAC

Successful treatment for addiction recovery treats the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. Drugs that have the ability to produce a state of intoxication (intoxicants) do many things, but they have a unique ability to mimic spiritual fulfillment. In the past, treatment often did not give enough attention to this side of addiction. Author Andrew Sheehan once wrote: "I suppose it sounds like a supreme rationalization to say that I believe my drinking and drugging began as a kind of spiritual search. And yet to this day I believe this to be true.....they began to fill the cavernous hole inside me - the great need to be connected to something outside of myself, to grasp in some way the great otherness, the hidden order of things."¹. What addicts and alcoholics want is a reason to live and intoxicants seem to meet this need. They have a way of becoming a spiritual replacement for the real thing. This may be a major reason why relapse is so common.
Traditional healthcare teams provide therapies for both the physical and mental health of their patients but all too often have not addressed the gaping hole that comes with sobriety. By taking away their drug of choice and with it pseudo meaning, they are now faced with meaninglessness. Spiritual therapy helps addicts and alcoholics find meaning in their lives. Give addicts and alcoholics a real reason to live and you give them a fighting chance at recovery.
No chaplain can give meaning to addicts and alcoholics, but a chaplain can help them discover meaning in their lives. Karen Urbanski, an occupational therapist, places spirituality alongside the physical and mental health problems the addict faces in treatment. She believes that a void exists in all of us and that we go through life attempting to fill that void with something that hints at meaningfulness. It is Urbanski's belief that anything, whether it is healthy or toxic, can fill the void. People are geniuses at filling this void, but many of them have made unhealthy choices. This problem becomes even more difficult when the unhealthy choices are intoxicants. At least the drug of choice seemed to give the person some meaning and purpose in life. Urbanski argues that to give up one's drug of choice does not begin to address the problem, but rather makes it worse because the void comes back. At this point, a new type of withdrawal occurs, which is best described as spiritual withdrawal.
Withdrawal is a "positive craving" for that which is no longer present. In this case, "positive" means "seeking after," rather than "something good." On a detox unit, when an addict or alcoholic goes through withdrawal, every cell in their body screams for their drug of choice. The same thing happens spiritually. When the source of their spirituality replacement is taken away, they may crave that inner feeling of meaningfulness the drug provided. For some people, this may be the root cause of relapse. The addict or alcoholic can no longer reach for instant meaningfulness in their drug of choice, and they are left with a sense of meaninglessness and depression.
The healthcare team has long treated the physical and mental health needs of the addict and alcoholic. Often the healthcare team has ignored spiritual needs and spiritual withdrawal. The spiritual counselor seeks to find out which spiritual needs are met by the patient's drug of choice and which spiritual needs are not being met when the person is sober. This approach speaks to the importance of the spiritual side of addiction, and the belief that intoxicants are used to fake an answer to those needs. The major problem that addicts and alcoholics face in recovery is not addiction but rather relapse.
Relapse, the return to one's drug of choice after being sober, may be primarily a spiritual problem. In sobriety, the spiritual space that the intoxicant once filled is empty. Nature hates a vacuum and will eventually fill it. Unfortunately, for the addict or alcoholic, that vacuum is often filled with the drug of choice. The addict and alcoholic cannot be spiritually passive in recovery. With the aid of a spiritual counselor, the addict and alcoholic can fill the emptiness with real meaning in their lives, providing a reason for living. Successful addiction recovery treats the whole person - body, mind, and spirit.
Advanced Information
As far back as the early 1900s, William James, MD (The Varieties of the Religious Experience, 1902) ², found striking similarities between intoxication and the mystical state. He labeled them "pathological mysticism" and "the anesthetic revelation." James believed there were two basic functions in man and woman, the "yes" function and "no" function. There should be a proper balance between the two. When the "no" function dominates, the person desperately looks for something to bring back a spiritual equality in his or her life. What the person discovers is that intoxicants become "the great exciter of the yes function in man" and appear to restore the balance.
Another pioneer in the field, Howard Clinebell, PhD (Understanding and Counseling Persons with Alcohol and Drug and Behavioral Addictions, 1984), maintains that "we will never understand intoxication as a problem until we see it as a solution." He also observes that the spiritual anxiety of the addict and alcoholic is "quieted" by the "pseudo-religious sense of oneness with themselves, others, and the divine spirit." The addict and alcoholic attempt to satisfy spiritual needs with chemical means.
In the late 1980s Gerald May, MD (Addiction and Grace, 1988), a layman, reminded clergy of the major spiritual elements in addiction and called on them to utilize their tools in their ministry to the addicted. According to May, addicts and alcoholics attach themselves to things that appear to fill their spiritual void. Because intoxicants produce a good feeling they become substitutes for the authentically spiritual.
Stephen Anthrop (Alcohol and Substance Abuse: A Handbook for Clergy and Congregations, 1990), believes that we seek out things in our lives that appear to have apparent spiritual potential. When the spiritual potential is not activated, the person sees little reason to exist. Intoxicants become resources with apparent spiritual value: unfortunately, they can also become the primary source of value in the life of the addicted.
Thomas Baker, D.Min. (Understanding the Spiritual Nature of Addiction, 1995), argues that both spirituality and intoxication involve a search for meaning, value, and purpose in life. All persons desire these, but addicts and alcoholics are afflicted with a unique spiritual hunger that they cannot seem to satisfy with traditional forms of spirituality. He also observes that addicts and alcoholics suffer greatly from estrangement and intoxicants seem to provide a sense of connectedness.
Related Information
1. Andrew Sheehan, Chasing the Hawk: Looking for my Father, Finding Myself, (New York: Delacorte Press, 2001), 203.
2. An historical note: It was James' book that Ebby Thacher gave to Bill Wilson (founders of A.A.) in November 1934 at Towns Hospital, NYC.
3. Offering Spiritual Support for Family or Friends (Caring Connections)
4. What is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
5. Mind-Body Medicine: An Overview (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

Creating Effective and Efficient Relationships

Relationships of all kinds are often perceived as very delicate things, that require extra effort to maintain. However, a relationship can also be something that can provide security and can also be long lasting despite many trials.

Building an effective and lasting relationships is a necessity for several reasons. For example in a group or organization, the well being of the people depends on how efficient and effective that group or organization works.

The group or organization is also dependent on how the members work well with the management.

An ineffective group or organization can really be very frustrating.  An effective group or organization can also ask so much on their members, that sometimes the members would be having no life outside the walls of the area where they work or sacrifice the other aspects of their life just to meet deadlines. For an organization or group with this kind of scenario, relationships can be stressed or suffer from breakdown.

People or other entities who depend on these groups or organization also suffer.

Society is defined as a web of relationships, which requires all parties to work and contribute their share in order to achieve  a common goal. Having a relationship that is good, where cooperation and respect are manifested, can make society work better. In this way each member works for the good of the whole and towards achieving a common goal. This can only be attained with effective and efficient relationships.

Understanding the other parties' feeling and position creates an effective and efficient relationship. The easiest method to understand what is important to another party is to ask them what they want and listen to what they have to say. When the other party realizes this, they would feel the importance given to them

Effective and efficient relationships require parties to openly express their feelings and positions on all matters pertinent on the relationship. Assuming that the other party understands our needs and give us when we need it without asking for it is not a good practice.

Respect is the key to relationship. In order to create a more effective relationship, parties should treat each other with respect.  We can show respect just by listening to the other party and by trying sincerely to understand how they function. You can also show respect to other parties by confirming that they are doing everything they can.

The opposite of respect is quick forming of judgements based on unfounded facts and prejudice.

Respect is the very foundation for a great relationship. This also means respecting yourself and respecting others.

Another key area in forming an effective relationship is to tackle differences of the other party directly. Differences between parties or people are quite interesting. For example in a conversation where each party listens to the other party, you may observe that each is having two different perspectives.

Work towards a win-win solution for both parties.

This can be done when at least one party acknowledges that the relationship is important. That party would then exert more time, effort and energy to understand the other party's needs and deal with it to get it out of the way. Should they fail, it is comforting for that party to know that they tried.

Effectively listening and no pre-judging. This is important if parties are to understand each other.

Informal discussions are conducive for parties. They bring out issues and concerns comfortably. They also feel more relaxed making them think more clearly.

Developing an atmosphere where the other party can express their feelings when they need to.

When parties fail to express whatever is on their mind or their feelings, it can get in the way of building an effective relationship.

Parties should be aware that certain things exist naturally but should be controlled in any dealings in any relationship.  Human nature is one. Some of these things found in a relationship also include a history of stereotyping or mistrust, blaming the other person or party for a strained relationship, excluding the other party's feelings when focusing on a task, no clear and defined objectives, roles and expectations of each party in a relationship is also unclear.

Relationships are important to anyone, addressing issues and problems right away is a must to further improve the relationship. As they say 'No man is an Island'.

The 20 Second Countdown

Why everywhere you look are top psychologists and doctors still teaching outdated methods for treating general anxiety and panic attacks?

It seems every time I do a search online there is yet another anxiety “expert” rehashing the same old ideas. Brown Paper bags, think happy thoughts, do your breathing etc. I am sure you have come across them a million times before already.
How are people supposed to solve their anxiety issue if they are continuously exposed to these techniques and methods that only teach people to cope with anxiety. Just coping is not good enough. Real solutions are needed.
I want to share with you something that does work. It is a very simple way to help end the fear of a PANIC ATTACK. (In later emails I will address feelings of general anxiety)
This is a very good exercise for people who want something practical to focus their attention on when they feel the pressure of a panic attack building.
Its very simple and easy to remember. Here goes…
The 20 Second Countdown
When you feel the sensations of a panic attack building do the following.
Tell the panic that it has 20 seconds to initiate the full panic attack. 20 seconds and no more. After the 20 seconds are complete it must stop making empty threats.
You are allowing 20 seconds for it to fully manifest but not a second more.
Whatever the bodily sensation is that you fear, it must happen within that 20 second time frame.

-If you heart is going to explode then it has 20 seconds to do so.

-If you are going to lose control, then your mind has 20 seconds to do so.

-If you are going to faint – 20 seconds! But absolutely no more time than that.

You get the picture.
By setting a specific time frame you establish boundaries of control. You turn it into a game where you call fear’s bluff. If it were a poker game, you are asking anxiety to show its hand.
This works because it establishes a sense of control within your mind and body.
You think to yourself “I am not prepared to spend my time worrying about this. I’ve had enough. I am going to be generous and give it 20 seconds but after 20 seconds and nothing has happened then the opportunity has officially passed and I am going to go back to what I was doing.”
Then start counting -but nice and slowly, don’t rattle it off as fast as you can. Really tease it out like you did when you were a child and you never wanted to reach zero. Teasing it out is the key because it allows you to feel generous and that you are giving anxiety every chance possible.
Deep down you know there is really nothing to fear.
To really help tease it out, break the last few numbers into fractions.

5…………………………..
4…………………………..
3……………………………
2…and three quarters…
2…and half………………
2…………………………..
1…and three quarters… (last chance anxiety)
1…and half……………… (I really cant wait any longer)
1…………………………..
0.
Sorry too late we’ve reached the end.

By not rushing through the countdown you will feel your confidence soar because you are demonstrating real control and authority over your anxious thoughts and bodily sensations. You are saying “look, I am really trying to give you all the time I can to unleash X,Y, and Z, I am being very generous here with this countdown.
Count your way to freedom. Count your way to confidence.
If you find this type of exercise useful then click here to learn more,

For my brothers and sisters

MY BROTHERS now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. ....

Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. ....

Not to laugh or weep. ....

Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted at their best; men who suffered and sacrificed, who suffered and were stripped of their humanity. I did not pick these men.....

 They were delivered by fate and the military. ....

But I know them in a way I know no other men. ....

I have never given anyone such trust.....

 They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. ....

They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. ....

It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another. ....

As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day. ....

I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thought will be of my family and my comrades. ....

Such good men!"....

Why Is Tinnitus Miracle The Best Selling Tinnitus Cure Book In Internet History

Why Is Tinnitus Miracle The Best Selling Tinnitus Cure Book In Internet History, With Thousands Of Satisfied (And Now Proud Mothers) Men and Women In 127 Countries Worldwide? (not even mentioning people like me who have been blown up etc)

Tinnitus Miracle is the #1 best selling tinnitus Cure ebook in the history of the Internet for a reason...

Thousands of men and women of almost every age have completely reversed any tinnitus issues they had and got rid of the ringing sounds in their ears naturally, without drugs, risky surgery or "magic potions" simply by using the clinically proven, scientifically-accurate step by step method found inside this amazing Tinnitus guidebook.

Thomas Coleman, a certified nutritionist, health consultant and author has not just pumped out yet another "Tinnitus program" into an already over-saturated market. Thomas's Tinnitus Miracle can be more accurately described as an "Tinnitus Bible." It is quite simply one of the most comprehensive, complete, and precise guides to tinnitus freedom you will ever read. What makes it so much different than other Tinnitus publications on the market?

Well first of all, it's not just a "tinnitus help" program, it's an tinnitus cure program. This may seem like semantics or wordplay at first, but once you've read just the first chapters, there will be no doubt in your mind that pursuing "help with your Tinnitus" is not only the wrong goal, it may be the reason that you've failed to get rid of the ringing sounds in your ears until now. Tinnitus Miracle shows you exactly why you should fix the internal problem that's hindering your chances of getting rid of the tormenting sounds in your ears  and then goes on to show you exactly how to do it.

Secondly, what makes Tinnitus Miracle different is the amount of attention that is paid to each and every element required to get rid of the  sounds in your ears the natural way. Tinnitus Miracle not only thoroughly discusses the lies, myths and fallacies surrounding a very confusing subject, it is simply the most detailed book about Tinnitus and holistic health ever written.

The Tinnitus Miracle book is quite extensive (250 pages of rock solid content) which focuses on 100% natural method for getting rid of the sounds in your ears quickly. That means there aren't recommendations for harsh prescription drugs, white noise, or surgeries with nasty side effects. In Tinnitus Miracle core formula section (The 3 step system) - Nothing is held back. In this section, Thomas gives a detailed overview of each step, and then dives into the specifics in a perfect chronological order. There are also outstanding charts and checklists which make it very easy to know where you are at in the program and follow it.

Because the Tinnitus Miracle program is not a quick fix ‘fairy tale’ cure but a complete holistic solution aimed at eliminating the root cause of tinnitus problems(regardless of your age) and ensure your will get rid of the sounds in your ears quickly, it does take work and persistence to complete. "The dictionary is the only place success comes before work" says Thomas, as he emphasizes the "no quick fix" philosophy behind the entire book. 



If there is any drawback to the Tinnitus Miracle ebook, it's that it contains so much information, that some readers may find it a bit overwhelming. Those who are looking for a quick start type of Tinnitus program, might be a bit intimated at first. The good part however, is that even these types of readers can feel confident and assured that it will be worth the effort because this will literally be the last book they ever have to buy on the subject.

Who will benefit most from Tinnitus Miracle?

In the broadest sense, anyone and everyone who wants to get rid of the  sounds in their ears naturally and regain their natural inner balance will benefit from Tinnitus Miracle. This ebook is honestly for everyone. Even people without tinnitus issues. This is a total health rejuvenation program better than 98% of the nutrition and alternative health books on the market.

In terms of graphic design, Tinnitus Miracle is a clean and professionally formatted PDF e-book. It is well organized and ideal for printing and reading in the comfort of your own home.

This impressive and unique publication has changed many lives and the hundreds of inspiring testimonials and success stories are found on the Tinnitus Miracle website archives as proof.

The Bottom line?

Anyone looking for a quick fix solution to getting rid of the sounds in their ears, anyone looking to be told fairy-tales, and anyone looking for a "magic bullet", pills, over the counters, 'cure tinnitus in 2 weeks' hyped up programs should not waste his or her time with Tinnitus Miracle.

On the other hand, anyone searching for the truth about Tinnitus and alternative health and who is ready and willing to put in some work and make the lifestyle changes necessary to get rid of the  sounds in their ears fast will find Tinnitus Miracle to be one of the best investments they ever made in their lives. Click here to learn more about Thomas Coleman's Tinnitus Miracle 

Buy The Book by Clicking Here

Lingering Depression By Laura L. Smith, Ph.D.

I read a well written, moving article in the Sunday NYT magazine section about a woman with severe, unremitting depression. Although the ending offered a small bit of hope, the piece induced in me the feeling that depression has a life of its own, and that those of us who try to help people with depression are mostly powerless bystanders. Daphne Merkin, the author writes, “What’s more, after a lifetime of talk therapy and medication that never seemed to do more than patch over the holes in my self, I wasn’t sure that I still believed in the concept of professional intervention.”
At first, I thought that writing about that piece could be dangerous, that anything I wrote would be construed as me not understanding the depth and darkness of real depression. But then, I thought that stance would be cowardly and fighting depression takes courage. So here goes.
I find myself wondering why people who live in New York City (and write about depression) seem to have such poetic yet intractable depressions. Okay, some of my favorite people live in or come from NYC; but really, sometimes it seems to me that those that venture west appear more able to plod through life than those remaining in the dark canyons and gray skies of NYC.
On a more serious level, I also wonder why so many people persist in getting therapy that does not seem to be working. If you are in therapy for a “lifetime” and are not getting better, ask for a referral! Do so again if the new therapy doesn’t seem to be doing you any good after a few months. There are literally thousands of practitioners, especially in New York that offer empirically validated treatments for depression such as cognitive behavioral therapy. And finally, if you are getting medications that are not helping you, talk to, and yes, complain to your doctor (but please don’t abruptly discontinue without talking to your doctor).
I write this because I have studied many hundreds of research articles that show people who receive cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, whether mild or severe, can and usually do recover. Other successful treatments for depression or even severe personality disorders (which commonly accompany prolonged depression) include interpersonal therapy, schema focused therapy, and mentalization based therapy.
I have witnessed many people who suffer from severe, protracted depression get better. And I know that pessimism (often caused in part by the disorder of depression), is not a helpful stance to take. So, don’t totally discard rose colored glasses. My message is one of hope. Please, if you are feeling depressed, hopeless, or helpless, there are treatments that work. Look for them and keep looking if need be.
At the same time, my heart goes out to the author of the article in the New York Times. Clearly, she has suffered from a deep seated depression that to date has lingered in the background of her entire life. I only want to say to her and you, “Don’t give up; keep plugging away. There are powerful reasons to maintain hope.”

Discover Secrets That Will Supercharge Your Success!

Laura L. Smith, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of adults and children with obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and learning disorders. Dr. Smith is a widely published author of articles and books to the profession and the public, including: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder For Dummies, Seasonal Affective Disorder For Dummies, Anxiety and Depression Workbook For Dummies, Depression For Dummies, Overcoming Anxiety For Dummies, Hollow Kids: Recapturing the Soul of a Generation Lost to the Self-Esteem Myth, and Why Can’t I Be the Parent I Want to Be?

Ex-POW in Iraq war recalls nightmares, depression

By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer Kimberly Hefling, Associated Press Writer – Wed Feb 3, 9:34 am ET

WASHINGTON – Shoshana Johnson survived gunshot wounds to both legs and 22 days as a prisoner of war in Iraq. Life wasn't so easy when she came home, either.
In a new book out this week, the 37-year-old single mother describes mental health problems related to her captivity and tells how it felt to play second fiddle in the media to fellow POW Jessica Lynch, who was captured in the same ambush.
"It was kind of hurtful," the former Army cook said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "If I'd been a petite, cutesy thing, it would've been different."
Johnson, the nation's first female black prisoner of war, said she felt she was portrayed differently because of her race, either by media outlets that chose not to cover her experience or those who portrayed her as greedy when she challenged the disability rating she was given for her post-traumatic stress disorder.
While the story of Lynch, then 19, remains firmly in the nation's collective memory from the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, far less attention has been paid to Johnson, then 30, and four male soldiers from the 507th Maintenance Co. from Fort Bliss, Texas, who also survived captivity.
Johnson was rescued by Marines, about two weeks after Lynch's rescue. Months after returning home, Johnson left the military and today is enrolled in culinary school. She lives in El Paso, Texas, with her 9-year-old daughter.
Johnson's book, "I'm Still Standing," is being released in time for Black History Month. Johnson said she hopes that by telling her story, she can set the record straight and bring attention to mental health issues affecting veterans.
The day of the 2003 ambush, Johnson and Lynch were among 33 U.S. soldiers in a convoy that got lost in Nasiriyah en route to Baghdad. Their journey, Johnson said, was hampered by broken-down vehicles and malfunctioning equipment. Eleven were killed — including Johnson's friend Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa.
Johnson asked to be medically discharged from the military in part because she felt other soldiers resented her over the attention her POW status attracted.
She's also struggled with depression and nightmares. At times it was so bad, she writes, that her daughter, who was 2 at the time Johnson was captured, asked Johnson's parents, "Why is Mommy crying all the time?"
In 2008, she checked herself into a psychiatric ward for a few days.
"Even when I came home, I didn't think I'd ever get better. I didn't think the issues I had would ever ease," Johnson said in the interview. "But as time goes on and I stick with my therapy, it has gotten easier, and I know if I keep on the right track, I'll be OK."
It was hard at first to admit to having PTSD, she said, because she thought of it as something that happened to Vietnam veterans.
"When they started throwing out that word when I came home, I was like, no, that's not me," Johnson said.
Today, Johnson is training to be a pastry chef so she can make wedding and birthday cakes.
"It would just be nice to be able to celebrate those special moments with people," she said. "After everything that's gone on, I think those kinds of moments are very special."
After successfully fighting to receive improved disability benefits stemming from her PTSD, she was later asked to serve on the Veterans Affairs Department's panel on minority affairs.
She speaks proudly of the other POWs in captivity with her and keeps in touch with them. She said they schedule annual POW exams — the Defense Department is studying the effects of captivity — at the same time in Florida so they can see each other.
Contrary to speculation, Johnson said she was never angry at Lynch or jealous of her.
"Jessica is my friend," Johnson writes. "I was her friend before the ambush and I'm still her friend now."
One of the most brutal things Johnson endured was a captor grabbing her chest. She tells in her book of mobs of Iraqi people coming to view her as a vehicle she was in traveled from town to town, with one villager slapping her and another spitting on her. But while the men endured beatings during the captivity, she said she was treated better.
She describes acts of kindness, too, by the Iraqis. One doctor operated on her legs, which she credits with allowing her to keep them. Another doctor early in her captivity whispered to her that a woman Johnson assumed was Lynch was alive, which provided comfort.
_____
On the Net:
Book site: http://www.simonandschuster.com/
Army account of attack on 507th Maintenance Co.: http://tinyurl.com/ylcm5e6