Jo Ellen Fletcher, M.A., LMFT
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Addictive Vulnerability

10/25/2015

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Addiction is a chronic, progressive, relapsing brain disease. 
No one culture. class, gender or race is immune.  The denial system creates a delusion the denial system.  Denial can be broken down to areas of rationalizing, minimizing, justifying and avoiding the consequences of the numbing behaviors.  One becomes addicted and alone and very stuck in the numbing compulsions of the disease.


Addition's compulsive behaviors, which are right here right now gratification, relieve one's needs of feeling uncomfortable and/or dealing overwhelming and big feelings. Individuals who have difficulty establishing emotionally regulating attachments are more inclined to substitute drugs and alcohol for their deficiency in intimacy. 

Because of a person's difficulty maintaining emotional closeness with others, certain vulnerable individuals are more likely to substitute a vast array of obsessive compulsive behaviors, sex, food, drugs, alcohol, work, gambling, computer games etc. that serve as a distraction from the gnawing emptiness and internal discomfort that threatens to overtake them.  When one obsessive compulsive type of behavior is given up, another is likely to be substituted unless the deficiency in self structure is corrected.

Some addicts and alcoholics appear to be very successful and are high achievers in their professional lives, however those who work with these patients on a consistent basis are struck by how fragile their basic sense of self worth has been. 

Despite some high functioning addict's exaggerated striving for financial and intellectual success, most addict's need for approval and acceptance leave them consistently vulnerable to injury, rejection, shame, and humiliation.

Of the various ways of recovery from addiction, many addicts and alcoholics have sought healing through 12 step programs.  AA and NA are helpful to its members in so many various ways.  Some of these healing concepts are mirroring, idealization, and twinship.

Mirroring takes place when members feel they are seen for who they truly are and when they have a positive influence on others.  Those suffering from deficits in this area will often have their previously unmet needs for healthy grandiosity and respect gratified by the attention that their continual sobriety brings.

Idealization, whether of a sponsor, the group, or one's higher power, is in evidence when members tell of feeling bolstered by identification with some greater source of power and wisdom.  Members with longer periods of abstinence and sobriety serve as important role models that spur others to emulate.

Twinship is operating when members speak of the healing effect of belonging to the group and finding peers with similar experiences.  Many of the other positive functions are provided to members doing "twelve step work" which is helping others and sponsorship.








Addiction as an Attachment Disorder - Flores






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    Jo Ellen Fletcher, M.A.
    Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist


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