Struggling to connect in recovery? Could trauma be the hidden culprit?
+ 🚕From Uber to Attorney, ⚡Zapping Away Addiction, ⏰ Josh Brolin's Sober Awakening, 🛣️The Quest for Unified Addiction Care, & 🌿 High Stakes of Being California Sober.
Dear Friends,
In the labyrinth of recovery, our paths are often tangled with the roots of past traumas, those silent, shadowed undergrowths that clutch at our steps, urging us to pause and stumble. This week, we're drawing back the curtain on this delicate dance with trauma, weaving a narrative that explores the intricate interplay between addiction and our past wounds with a featured interview with therapist Kira Markoff. Imagine, if you will, a garden overgrown, where each weed entwined around the flowers is like a trauma, choking the vibrant life beneath. Just as a gardener painstakingly clears these to foster growth, our journey in recovery demands a gentle yet determined excavation of these hidden hurts.
Trust is like a bridge that floodwaters have washed away for many of us who are in the middle of recovery—challenging to rebuild. The initial embrace of sobriety often leaves us feeling exposed, as if standing in a clearing. The forest around us is both a shield and a reminder of the world we've navigated. Early discussions in recovery rooms are laced with mentions of fear and character defects, but seldom do they venture deep into the thicket where trauma lies, silently shaping our stories. Yet, understanding this terrain and acknowledging the scars we bear can be transformative. It's akin to discovering a new path in a well-trodden forest that leads to previously unseen vistas, offering a vantage point that encompasses both the shadow and light of our experiences.
This week's feature on trauma illuminates the profound link between past traumas and addiction, highlighting how these experiences disrupt our stress systems and heighten our vulnerability to addiction. The evidence underscores that battles with addiction are deeply intertwined with our personal histories, fought within the complex landscapes of our psyche. As we explore this crucial topic, we hope to foster a deeper understanding and the courage to confront these shadows and pave new paths toward healing and connection. Alongside the insightful interview, we've also gathered the latest news on addiction recovery for you. Enjoy this edition as we journey together towards enduring peace and recovery.
Damon Frank
Approximately 75% of individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) have experienced trauma at some point in their lives. Rates are even higher among clinical samples of individuals seeking treatment for a SUD.
▶️ VIDEO: Uncovering Hidden Trauma with Guest Kira Markoff
Damon Frank speaks with clinical social worker Kira Markoff about identifying hidden trauma and the relationship with trauma for those in recovery.
Problems viewing the video? You can also watch this on YouTube.
🗳️ In The News
From Uber to the Attorney: Triumph Over Addiction and Legal Roadblocks
Despite overcoming poverty and addiction, a determined individual faced obstacles with the legal system due to his prescribed addiction treatment. Regulatory bodies, influenced by outdated stigmas, scrutinized his medication use, potentially derailing his professional aspirations. Advocacy and legal battles highlighted the ADA's protection for those in recovery, emphasizing non-discrimination and the importance of access to FDA-approved treatments. Ultimately, by challenging systemic biases and advocating for his rights, he achieved his dream of becoming a licensed lawyer, marking a significant victory against discrimination and for those navigating recovery in their professional journeys.
Source: NBC News
Zapping Away Addiction: Mayo Clinic's Breakthrough with Brain Stimulation
Summary: Over 60 years after discovering the power of electrical pulses on the brain, Mayo Clinic researchers are pioneering deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a promising treatment for drug addiction, aiming to dull the addictive "high" and break the cycle of relapse. Despite existing treatments, addiction remains a formidable challenge, with a high relapse rate and 112,000 U.S. overdose deaths in 2023 alone. The clinic's innovative approach seeks to rewire the brain's reward system, potentially revolutionizing addiction treatment by inhibiting the pleasure triggers of drugs. This innovative approach, which has the support of encouraging animal and preliminary human studies as well as cutting-edge technology for real-time brain chemical monitoring, could result in successful addiction interventions, signaling a significant change in how we address this pervasive public health crisis.
Read the full article at newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org
Josh Brolin's Sober Awakening: A Journey to Mindful Parenting
Josh Brolin attributes the transformative shift in his approach to parenting his younger children compared to his older ones to his journey toward sobriety. The actor, who shares two older children with his ex-wife Alice Adair and two younger daughters with his wife Kathryn Brolin, emphasizes the importance of an open dialogue on the lessons learned from his past struggles with alcohol. His personal evolution, sparked by a stint in rehab in 2013 and a profound reflection on his life's trajectory, has fostered a nurturing environment of trust and gratitude within his family. Celebrating over eight years of sobriety, Brolin's story is a testament to the power of change and its positive impact on familial relationships.
Read the full article at People
Breaking Barriers: The Quest for Unified Addiction Care in the U.S.
In the midst of the opioid crisis, Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse champions a crucial paradigm shift towards integrating addiction treatment with mainstream healthcare, highlighting the inefficiency of the current segregated system. Her innovative research, including breakthroughs in brain imaging and potential new treatments, underscores addiction as a multifaceted brain disorder, paving the path for advanced, inclusive care strategies. Despite these scientific strides, systemic obstacles and regulatory hurdles continue to limit access to essential, life-saving medications for millions battling opioid use disorder. Volkow's vision for a reformed, integrated treatment approach represents a beacon of hope, aiming to significantly reduce opioid overdoses and reshape U.S. healthcare's approach to addiction.
Read the full article at medriva.com
The High Stakes of Being California Sober: A Heart Risk Unveiled
A significant study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that frequent cannabis use elevates the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes, with daily users facing a notably higher risk than non-users. This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting a link between marijuana use and cardiovascular issues, despite its observational nature, which relies on self-reported data. The study underscores the importance of recognizing the cardiovascular risks associated with regular marijuana consumption, especially as the substance becomes more popular and marketed as a healthier alternative to alcohol. It also highlights the need for more comprehensive research to explore the effects of cannabis consumption methods, potency, and the long-term health implications of its use.
Read the full article at medicalxpress.com