ADDICTION
I found it useful to think about each of my past and present addictions and ask myself,
What Basic Need(s) did/does this addiction meet?
Taking a few days to reflect on an addiction bottom can reveal a Lifelong Pattern
that illuminates how that addiction and bottom were inevitable consequences of unresolved trauma.
Anatomy of Addiction
1. Anchor
2. Trigger
3. Craving
4. Compulsion
5. Consequences
These are the 5 Stages of Anger, according to William Fleeman in the Pathways To Peace Anger Management Workbook.
I have found them to be the 5 Stages of any strong emotion as well as the Anatomy of any addiction.
The 3 C's
Craving, Compulsion, Consequence
Cravings are a sign that we are triggered.
Cravings can be nipped in the bud by learning how to de-escalate a triggered reaction
and neutralize the underlying trauma.
After neutralizing the anchor, the craving will disappear.
The craving might go away on its own if we simply wait it out.
It also might go away on its own if we distract ourselves
by doing something that changes our feeling state.
Getting absorbed in a creative pursuit is an excellent distraction that can
powerfully change our feeling state.
Going to a meeting with others, who have dealt with similar cravings can help.
Focusing on breathing - taking slow, deep breaths - might help, in some cases.
The best thing to do is to uncover and neutralize the anchor.
If we do nothing about the craving, then we will end up doing something Compulsive (or impulsive) to relieve our discomfort.
(Eat, shop, drink, gamble, etc.)
Afterwards, there will be Consequences to deal with.
Sometimes, if the trigger is very deep or intense, we might not experience a craving,
but instead go straight into the compulsion without any warning.
A lightning fast reflex takes place below the level of consciousness,
and we have no mental defense against the compulsion.
We can still discover and neutralize the anchor, after the fact, though,
even if we don't catch things in time to avoid Compulsion and Consequences.
With time and practice, our awareness grows and we get faster at identifying when we are triggered
and more adept at interrupting the cycle by neutralizing anchors.
Getting Support If Quitting An Addiction
I have overcome several addictions and do not recommend that anyone try to quit an addiction
on their own.
Getting support is extremely beneficial and often very necessary.
Quitting some addictions can be dangerous, as the withdrawal symptoms can be lethal.
(That includes alcohol and some prescription medications.)
Aftercare support, to prevent relapse, is especially important for certain substances
like opiates (especially fentanyl),
which can get even more deadly after quitting, due to tolerance going down.
Letting go of an addiction may require professional support and guidance.
Sometimes nonprofessional support will suffice.
I personally believe that trauma healing work can still take place, even when an active addiction is present.
As trauma is resolved, addictions become less appealing and easier to quit as they are not needed anymore.
When a person naturally becomes interested in letting go of an addiction,
they also tend to become more open to receiving support in doing so.
Amino Acid Deficiency
Amino acids are substances that build proteins in the body, and we get amino acids from eating protein.
Amino acids are also building blocks for neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain),
and hormones (chemical messengers for the body).
Amino Acid deficiencies can cause cravings (for food, alcohol, other substances, exercise, and other behaviors)
and false moods (such as anxiety, shyness, loneliness, depression, and anger) due to their impact on chemical messengers.
The amino acid L-Tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP, which is a building block for the neurotransmitter serotonin.
The amino acid GABA is a building block for the neurotransmitter GABA.
Serotonin and GABA are the natural tranquilizers of the body. They have a relaxing effect.
The neurotransmitter GABA has a calming effect.
Serotonin contributes to feelings of well-being.
DPA (D-Phenylalanine) and DLPA (DL-Phenylalanine) are building blocks for the chemical messengers called Endorphins.
Endorphins are the natural pain killers of the body.
They dull pain – both emotional and physical pain.
They help us feel pleasure and comfort.
The amino acids L-Tyrosine & LPA (L-Phenylalanine) are building blocks for Dopamine.
Dopamine is part of the natural stimulant system of the body.
It activates the muscles; promotes mental energy, alertness & attentiveness; and generates enthusiasm about life.
Amino Acid deficiencies are extremely common and are usually due to diet, stress, or a family history of addiction.
Some people are born with amino acid deficiencies.
Others develop deficiencies through diet, chronic stress, or a new stressor (such as a stressful job).
Ongoing stress, addictions, and certain food choices can create or contribute to amino acid deficiencies
within an individual or genetic lineage.
Active addictions can be created by amino acid deficiencies, and they can create or worsen amino acid deficiencies.
To correct amino acid deficiencies, dietary changes need to be made, so that amino acid production is normalized in the body.
The deficiency has been corrected once the deficit is reversed, and the body is obtaining enough
of the amino acid from the diet.
When the natural supply of amino acids gets restored, neurotransmitters become balanced,
and the brain functions normally.
We become who we really are. (Restored to our original/natural state.)
I believe that addiction is a symptom of unresolved trauma.
There are those, however, who believe that cravings and addictions are a symptom of amino acid deficiency.
It could be both.
Amino acid deficiencies can be caused by chronic or acute stress,
and unresolved trauma could be at the root of that, in many cases.
I think that addressing amino acid deficiency and doing trauma integration work can help a person recover from addiction.
In fact, I think doing both can make recovering a whole lot easier.
(I wish I had access to amino acid therapy when I was getting sober.)
Individual Amino Acid Supplementation
Individual amino acid supplements can provide immediate relief from
- Anxiety and Emotional Pain, making trauma healing work easier.
- Alcohol and other Drug Cravings, making the transition to sobriety a lot smoother.
Modern addiction treatment involves education about the science of the addiction process.
The more we know about where cravings come from and safer alternatives to satisfying those cravings, the easier addiction recovery can be. - Food Cravings, making healthy dietary changes a lot easier, too.
The benefits of the individual amino acids only last about 4 hours, at first.
Depending on how long the deficiency has been going on, it may take as little as a few days
(often seen with young children) or weeks (often seen with teens)
or as long as a year to restore the body to its natural state.
3-6 months of individual amino acid supplementation is typical (for most adults).
In some cases, there may be years or a lifetime of deficit to repair.
The permanent fix for amino acid deficiency is getting enough amino acids from the diet.
Permanent dietary changes are needed to fully correct the problem.
(These healthy dietary changes are often much easier to make, after individual amino acid supplementation has begun, though,
because many food cravings are due to amino acid deficiency.)
I'm still working on reversing my amino acid deficiencies.
I learned the bulk of what I know about amino acid deficiency and reversing it from two experts in the field:
Julia Ross is a poineer in the field of amino acid therapy in the United Sates.
Step 1 - Amino Questionnaires
Step 2 - Amino Acids That Go with Each Type
Step 3 - Amino Acid Supplements
Online Mood Questionnaire
juliarosscures.com
Trudy Scott became a nutritionist, after using amino acids to overcome her own anxiety, vv
and she worked at one of Julia Ross' clinics.
Her focus is on relieving anxiety by correcting amino acid deficiencies.
Online Mood Questionnaire (+ Resources if You're New to Using Amino Acid Supplements)
Amino Acid Supplements
everywomanover29.com
For more guidance on overcoming drug addictions, Julia recommends Dr Charles Gant's website
allianceforaddictionsolutions.org
If you want to learn more about using specific amino acids to reduce anxiety, pain, or cravings
(food cravings, sugar cravings, drug cravings), here are some resources to look into:
Books:
The Mood Cure by Julia Ross
The Craving Cure by Julia Ross
The Diet Cure by Julia Ross
Amino-Aid Handbook by Julia Ross (22-page Guide)
The Anti-Anxiety Food Solution by Trudy Scott
End Your Addiction Now by Charles Gant
YouTube Videos:
How to Use Amino Acids to Stop Drinking (Beating Addiction with Amino Acids) (Julia Ross Interviewed by Chris Scott of Fit Recovery) -
Watch Video
Cure Mood Disorders with 5 Basic Supplements (Julia Ross Interviewed by Amrit Sandhu) -
Watch Video
Amino Acids Live Trials with Julia Ross (GABA, DPA, Tryptophan, Tyrosine) -
Watch Video
DLPA Trial with Julia Ross -
Watch Video
What Foods Can Reduce Anxiety? (Trudy Scott Interviewed on The MindHealth360 Show) -
Watch Video
Trudy Scott Interviewed by Dr. Aimie Apigian -
Watch Video
Amino Acid Therapy for Mental Health + Addictions (Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND) -
Watch Video
Alcohol Recovery: Feel Better with Three Supplements (Chris Scott of Fit Recovery) -
Watch Video
1. Magnesium Citrate
2. D-Phenylalanine (DPA)
3. L-Glutamine
Vitamins + Nutrient Repair for Recovery from Alcohol Addiction (Chris Scott Interviewed on Thrive Alcohol Recovery) -
Watch Video