Happy 2022! We made it through the Holidays. Many personal triggers for the month of December, and I'm sure I'm not the only one in this big blue world ready to say goodbye to 2021. It's great to get on the other side.
So, what to do in 2022? Curiosity got the best of me, as I looked back to see how much I gained from the 12 Step Program in 2021. I wanted to look through a neuroscience lens and find out why a program created nearly 100 years ago, offered such a great platform and space to rewire my brain.
For the first Step, “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol­­—that our lives had become unmanageable". If you're qualifier is addicted to drug to the point of requiring treatment, the entire function dopamine was created to perform, which is to keep us balanced, motivated and performing well, has become so unregulated, there is no longer a baseline of dopamine levels to support a normal rewards and expectations environment. This one factor concludes that we, as a Family member, are in fact completely powerless over the situation at hand.
My promise to provide free, repeat, Free resources remains a top objective, and I'm excited to provide a few gems in this Episode. In addition to the noted research articles, please see links below to follow Anna Lembke, MD, who appears in the Netflix series, 'Social Dilemma', and also offers excellent insight on how our current societal structure impacts dopamine in neuro systems, often leading to situations that do in fact make us feel powerless as we struggle to regain a healthy reward and reaction system.
1) Rich Roll Podcast, Episode 64, 'Addiction Recovery & Masterclass'
2) Anna Lembke, MD 'Dopamine Nation — Anna Lembke, MD'
3) Evoke Therapy Intensives
4) EMDR Therapy, 'What is EMDR?'
5) Dopamine and Addition, Annual Reviews National Library of Medicine

Thank you for listening and please visit www.siblinghoodofrecovery.com for free resources, links to organizations, groups and individuals who can offer help in the Journey of Recovery towards healing from substance use disorders. If you like this Podcast, please leave a rating on wherever you're listening. It will help to get the word out.
If there is one message I can leave you with, the best you can offer your loved one battling addiction is love and a healthier you.
Walk gently, my friend.