Gabor Mate, MD, was trained as a family doctor but later turned his attention to helping heal addictions. The 9 minute video below is the most brilliant, succinct expose I know of concerning the causes of addiction. It also covers how we have in the past perceived the causes of addiction and how poor our success rate has been in helping addicts overcome their dependence on drugs or alcohol. We now have new insight as to the causes as well as the positive potential of other therapies to help overcome addiction.
Growing up shortly after WWII, I saw that “social drinking” was the norm. When 5pm rolled around each day, out came hard liquor pre-dinner, then wine for dinner. It took me years to understand that my father was depending on alcohol to buffer himself from his emotions. Even as a reknowned pathologist who surely knew the impact of excessive alcohol use, he was self-medicating and powerless to stop. Turning to 12 step programs and addiction centers to dry out did not help him overcome the problem longterm. For years I wondered, what caused this irrational habit? Lack of self-discipline? A disease generated by genes? One or more terrors in WWII?
Addiction’s Roots
Trauma experienced early in childhood, and a lack of understanding and help how to overcome that trauma is the cause, says Dr. Mate. I believe him. That trauma he refers to might be as simple as neglect of a child’s emotional needs for attunement and nurturing from a dependable parent; or as horrible as sexual or physical abuse perpetuated by an authority figure. Even in 2023, we are still trying to figure out the most effective therapy to overcome trauma. On a collective level–we have not agreed on what causes addiction or how to overcome it. Even healthcare providers including psychiatrists and psychotherapists and counsellors, have not agreed on the causes or been trained in effective means of overcoming trauma.
Effective Healing of Addiction
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with trained guides and pure substances is being widely studied for efficacy in overcoming addiction. The positive potentials of this therapy are increasingly more evident as studies are completed and outcomes are published. Ibogaine can completely interrupt all addictions for a period of time. MDMA, also called “Ecstasy”, can provide deep and safe connectection in a nurturing environment. This therapy can give the client a whole new option for relationship, getting out of stuckness around not trusting or feeling shame and guilt that obstructs loving connection. A pathway to finding supportive relationship comes into view–sometimes for the first time ever. The therapy can be a life-affirming epiphany, a huge relief. Vitally important is that the therapy be done with trained guides so that the person taking the drug can immediately experience a different kind of relationship–it’s not just insight, or a new vision, but actual connection that makes the most difference.
Of course, continuity of connection is also important. Ideally, integrating the profound psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can be integrated through further connection to the trained therapists as well as a community group dedicated to integration. Within the community group participants can continue to deepen in forming positive, supportive relationships.
A Range of Addiction Therapies
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is not the only effective means for overcoming addiction, nor is it the best choice for everyone. Some people have had success with Internal Family Systems, IFS, that can help integrate various parts of the self, including a traumatized inner child. Somatic Experience has helped identify and work through the effects of trauma. EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, can be helpful as well. Tapping, also know as EFT, or Emotional Freedom Technique, can also become a solo discipline to counteract the effects of trauma. However, it seems to me that being in community where there is consistent dedication to offering supportive, authentic relationship is always needed–not just one to one therapy–as it deepens skill in maintaining supportive relationships.
IMHU offers several presentations about psychedelic assisted psychotherapy.