Addictions, Compulsions and Identity

With Robert Dilts

According to author John Bradshaw (On: the Family) an addiction is “a pathological relationship to any mood-altering experience that has life damaging consequences.” Addictions often involve or lead to a paradoxical situation in which a person does or takes something which that person believes he or she needs in order to survive, but the person ends up doing it to such an extent that it threatens his or her survival. [It is as if, “Too much of a good thing is not enough.”] People can form addictions to a variety of different behaviors and substances. Common addictions include alcohol, drugs, work, sex, cigarettes and food.
Addictions and compulsions are often related to perceptions and beliefs related to identity and survival. Addictions, for instance, are frequently associated with “dependence” and “codependence.” Dependence is a function of the belief that you need something or someone for your survival and/or sense of identity, and that there are no other alternatives. Co-dependence involves a relationship based on the presupposition that both parties need the other for survival and/or sense of identity, and that there are no other alternatives.
Addictions especially have been associated with the process of “enmeshment.” Enmeshment results from confusing some person, action or object as being an integral part of your identity or survival.
Explores the relationship between compulsive behaviors and identity and provides strategies and techniques for transforming compulsions into choice.
NLP has been applied with success to the treatment of addictions and compulsions. Addictions and compulsions are often related to unresolved past issues and current internal conflicts, usually at the level of identity. Treatment, from a systemic NLP perspective, involves clarifying issues at the identity level and finding ways to build in other choices to satisfy the positive intention driving the addictive or compulsive behavior.
This seminar will explore a basic intervention path for treating an addictions and compulsions including:

• Distinguishing between behavior and identity, and exploring the ‘positive intentions’ and ‘secondary gains’ behind the addictive or compulsive behavior.
• Dealing with relevant family system issues, such as codependence and enmeshment.
• Identifying and resolving issues from personal history related to the establishment of the addictive or compulsive behaviors.
• Strengthening the motivation to change.
• Developing skills to deal with emotional responses which lead to the addictive or compulsive behavior in new, more effective and ecological ways.
• Establishing positive alternative behaviors to those related to the addiction or compulsion.
• Aligning and integrating any conflicting internal ‘parts’ involved with the addictive or compulsive behavior.
• Identifying and reanchoring both environmental and internal triggers for addictive or compulsive behaviors.