Pubdate: Tue, 17 Nov 2015
Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Prince George Citizen
Contact:  http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350
Author: Gerry Chidiac
Page: 5

ADDICTS OFTEN LIVING WITH PERSONAL PAIN

I recently watched a very inspirational Ted Talk by a Vancouver doctor
named Gabor Mate. He has been working for a number of years with
people who struggle with addictions and are thus marginalized.

He has had great success in helping people live to their potential,
and his insights and compassion are extraordinary.

Mate defines addiction as "any behaviour that gives you temporary
relief, temporary pleasure, but in the long term causes harm."

Given this definition, it is easy to see that we can be addicted to
anything, from drugs to technology, to shopping, to power. In our
society, many of us are addicted to something. We would rather do
anything than be alone with our thoughts.

Those who are highly addicted are simply carrying greater amounts of
pain.

They have suffered from severe trauma, usually as children. This
impacted their brain development and makes them more likely to develop
addictions. As humans, we have a strong desire to feel love, and being
loved causes a strong chemical reaction in the brain.

When this chemical reaction is caused by a drug, it creates a powerful
pull for the person who was neglected as a child. It is thus very easy
for such a person to develop a drug addiction.

Dr. Mate notes that people who live with a great deal of pain will
lose everything to service their addictions, be it health, wealth,
relationships and even life itself. In commenting on his heroin
addiction, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards speaks of the
"search for oblivion" and the desire not to be himself for a few hours.

Mate also discusses the correlation between the disproportionate
number of aboriginal peoples of Canada who struggle with addictions,
are incarcerated and commit suicide, and the fact that they
experienced horrendous trauma.

Their lands were taken away, they were torn away from the love of
their families, their way of life was discredited, and they were often
abused. Mate does not end there, however.

He points out that the people responsible for this were also
struggling with addictions to power, wealth and control, and that they
too had suffered from some sort of trauma. People are not cruel for no
reason, they are experiencing some sort of struggle within themselves.

Mate himself experienced trauma as a Jewish baby in Hungary during the
Holocaust.

He is now very aware of how it impacted him. Mate tells us that since
children are very egocentric by nature, they think that if the adults
around them are not happy, it must have something to do with them, and
they therefore do not feel wanted and loved.

His experience caused him to develop his own obsessions, which in turn
caused his own children to feel neglected. And so the cycle can continue.

When we understand trauma and how it impacts us, we can do something
about it. Mate has had a great deal of success in helping those who
are seriously addicted come to a place of peace and live more
fulfilling lives.

We all experience trauma to some degree. Developing awareness serves
us well in our efforts to be our best selves, and this also makes us
more compassionate toward others who struggle.

We are all together on the path of healing.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt