*The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Most addiction and trauma seem to go hand in hand, making for a vicious cycle that almost feels unbreakable. Traditional treatment methods have little success, so many look elsewhere.
Here enters psychedelic therapy, when provided by a professional, as a new approach that is very promising and is captivating the attention of researchers, clinicians, and those wanting to heal deep wounds from addiction and trauma.
The Addiction-Trauma Cycle: Understanding It
To understand better how psychedelic therapy can help, it is important to recognize the relationship between addiction and trauma.
Whether from childhood experiences, abusive relationships, or other life occurrences, trauma might just be that which has left scars in the mind and body.
Often, such trauma led them to misuse substances as a way to cope with the pain, numb their emotions, or escape their reality.
However, this type of substance use quickly fuels addiction and brings a new layer of trauma associated with addiction. And so the vicious cycle goes on: addiction leads to more trauma, trauma leads to an increasingly deeper addiction.
Breaking this cycle requires treatment for the addiction and the underlying trauma; hence it's complicated and something that most common therapies have not done.
What Is Psychedelic Therapy?
Psychedelic therapy, provided by a licensed professional & Shamans uses psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin (active substance found in magic mushrooms), MDMA, and ayahuasca, with a responsible therapist guide. These substances are usually used within controlled settings and paired with massive amounts of talking therapy to facilitate really deep emotional and psychological healing.
On the neural level of humans, psychedelics change neural pathways and hence open access to repressed memories, emotions, and even traumas within a safe environment. This can result in deep insights, emotional breakthroughs, and improved connection to oneself and the world.
How Psychedelic Therapy Addresses Trauma
Probably, however, the most remarkable thing that psychedelic therapy has made in breaking out of the addiction and trauma cycle is how it helps a person to confront and process trauma.
Standard therapies can take years before reaching the levels psychedelic therapy has reached within just a few sessions.
In the psychedelic experience, guided by a licensed professional or Shaman, the brain enters a very permeable state and suggests that the boundaries between conscious and subconscious get very blurred. This provides potential for working through traumatic memories (with a licensed professional or Shaman) in a way that doesn't feel quite so threatening. It just means there's no avoidant behavior; people can get to the bottom of their feelings with some understanding and compassion.
Psychedelic Therapy and Addiction Recovery
In addition to having promise as a treatment for trauma, psychedelic therapy provides several unique benefits in addressing addiction recovery. One of the fundamental ways psychedelics help is by effectively interrupting habits of thought and behavior, which often lie at the root of addiction. For example, psilocybin has been proven to reduce activity in the default mode network, which is a part of the brain associated with repetitive thought patterns and self-reflection. By this silencing, psychedelics can actually assist people in getting unstuck from negative loops of thought, which are typically at the root of addictive cycles.
Beyond this, the insights that one gains through a psychedelic experience, when guided by a licensed professional or Shaman can initiate a change in perspective: one may become clearer in terms of why their addiction was taking root and is, therefore, more willing to change. Most of them reported that this strengthened their feeling of connectedness, purpose, and spirituality—something that aids positively in sustained recovery.
How Integration Breaks the Cycle
While the psychedelic experience itself can be deeply transforming, integration is what usually solidifies the healing. Integration includes all of the work done post-session, with a licensed professional or Shaman, where the client reflects on their session, takes applications of insights gained into daily life, and continues in the therapeutic journey.
The benefits that people will get from this therapy of psychedelics are not going to last without integration. That is why a competent therapist, as a guide for integration, is so crucial. Supportive measures will facilitate the internalization of new patterns of thinking and behavior developed during these sessions and will secure long-term recovery
The Future of Psychedelic Therapy
Psychedelic therapy is being put forth with much promise that it could be mainstream in the very near future for those addicted to and traumatized by life.
Although research in psychedelic therapy is just beginning, many participants are already testifying on real progress in their mental health as well as their quality of life.
This said, psychedelic therapy does not have miracle cures at the end. It requires careful preparation, professional guidance, and a full commitment to the healing process. But for those who have found little relief in traditional methods, it offers a new and potentially life-changing path.
It's extremely intricate and deeply profound, breaking away from the vicious cycle of addiction and trauma; it gives hope in a new way to do so. By working with the trauma—an almost universal antecedent of the cycle—psychedelic therapy helps participants find their way onto the path of great healing and recovery.
With time, and as the research in this field proceeds, psychedelic therapies are likely to emerge as treatments for the afflictions of addiction and trauma, perhaps even something for which people can see hope that has not been there before.
*We do not offer medical advice or make any recommendations regarding your health. Always consult with your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, including psychedelic therapies for substance use disorder. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not represent the views of any medical professionals. Your reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk.
For those interested in learning more about psychedelic therapy and its potential in breaking the cycle of addiction and trauma, here are some valuable resources:
MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)
Visit MAPS for extensive research and information on psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly for PTSD and addiction.
The Psychedelic Science Review
Explore The Psychedelic Science Review for the latest studies and scientific articles on the therapeutic uses of psychedelics.
Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
The Johns Hopkins Center is at the forefront of research into the use of psilocybin and other psychedelics for mental health and addiction treatment.
The Third Wave
The Third Wave offers a wealth of resources on microdosing, psychedelic therapy, and integration practices.
Michael Pollan’s Book: "How to Change Your Mind"
This book offers an accessible introduction to the science and history of psychedelics, including their use in therapy.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Visit NIDA for information on addiction treatment and emerging therapies, including psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Erowid
Erowid provides a comprehensive database on psychoactive substances, including personal experiences, research, and safety guidelines.
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