Holistic Healing for Addiction

Practical Recovery Wisdom Pt. Three

The University of Oregon's researchers have found weakened working memory equates to diminished resistance to drug and alcohol use. Ultimately this translates into users of drugs and alcohol being more impulsive, and engaging in dangerous behavior- like escaping in drugs and cutting. As parents, how can we improve our teens' working memories? What about our own working memories? (Addiction is genetic after all!)

The answer is not as clear cut as we would like it to be. The keys to improving working memory lie within

∞ Brain Training (Yes!)

∞ Medication (Let's not do that one. . .)

∞ Brain Stimulation (Yes!)

Now trips to national parks and museums do not seem as farfetched, right? The key of improving working memory and cognition is beyond the scope of this book. Essentially, what you need to know is that stimulating your loved one's cognition is key to helping them overcome addiction. In fact, reading literary fiction has proven to help people overcome addiction. I am one of those people who will happily spend their entire paycheck at the bookstore with no regrets. And guess what? It helps. Reading helps improve empathy- thereby translating into social skills and increased cognition, under the right circumstances.

But what can you do for them? Try starting a series together- perhaps one that addresses addiction or self-harm. PLEASE BE WARNED: Stimuli revolving addiction and self-harm may result in relapse. Always follow the advice of your addiction specialist- if you are not sure if exposure to suggestive behaviors will be harmful or not, consult your therapist- or pick a book that does not mention addiction at all.

I know from personal experience, allusion to, imagery, or written memoirs of cutters were enough to dredge up old memories and increase my inclination to cut- so while I want to continue learning from my past mistakes, and examining those wounds, it is not a good idea for me to binge read ten personal stories from cutters, unless I am in an environment where it is safe for me to do so- and learn from what I am exposing myself to. The decisive aim of improving cognition is to learn. The goals of therapy is to abstain from detrimental impulses.

In our fumbling efforts to help our loved ones through the perils of addiction and self-harm- especially when we have no idea where to turn- sometimes delay is necessary.

Stop.

Breathe.

Be there.

That is it.

Our own anxieties rub off on the ones we want to safeguard from them. Sometimes you do not have to say anything. Just be there. In earnest, compilations of the most balming spells I have spent with my parents after an emotional breakdown, or relapse- were merely sitting in their presence. I didn't have to think, I didn't have to justify my actions, I didn't have to explain. They were just there with me.

Sometimes silence is the best comfort. It is hard to cry, or confess indwelling emotions when you are being questioned- because your immediate response is to shut down. Stillness allows genuine feeling without filter. Your presence is more powerful than you think. And yes, even if your mini-me is always telling you to go away, it helps. They may convince themselves your presence is unnecessary or unwanted, but more often this sentiment stems from an involuntary look at the truth of situations too ensnaring to bear.

You may or may not be surprised to learn the fear of going through withdrawal is what keeps many away from getting professional help. During withdrawal the body rebels against the absence of its substance of choice. Withdrawal symptoms and their severity is dependent upon the substance abused, and profundity of addiction. Withdrawal is absolutely necessary to recover from addiction- yet many refuse treatment because of the agony often attributed to the process.

If the obstacle is trying to help your loved one overcome the anxiety of going through withdrawal, the best thing you can do is to remedy their anxieties beforehand, and make the process of getting treatment attainable, now.

The longer addiction festers, the more arduous the gauntlet of recovery becomes, especially for teens and young adults. There are many books available on overcoming withdrawal, and exploring the recovery process altogether. Begin allaying anxieties by going to group sessions with your loved one. Meetings like AA and NA can be empowering, and instill a sense of community. Hearing from active recoverees will give your loved one a perspective you may be unable to share with them.

Remember: it only takes one time tooverdose.

University of Oregon, "String Working Memory Puts Breaks on Problematic Drug Use," ScienceDaily, October 2, 2014, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141002131111.htm.

Bradley Voytek, "How Can We Enhance Working Memory?" BrainFacts, May 20, 2013, .

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