Recovers from addiction often gain an awareness of being different and that their minds do not work the same as others. When high ability cognitive processes are impacted by addiction many times it is not recognised or acknowledged. The individual with the experience KNOWS that then brain is not functioning the same as prior to the ‘incident’. Many times others see the ‘intelligence’ of the individual and conclude there has been minimal to no impact. The comparison is to the ‘average’ situation. There is no consideration for the higher baseline. In addition there is no recognition or consideration of the intensity of the experience (that is not an ‘exaggerated’, ‘hysterical’ response). With many addictions there is an awareness in recovery of the pre and post cognitive functioning differences. This adds to the magnitude of the response to the experience. The results are depression (not unusual) that connects with the intensities, sensitivities, and the existential connection. The impact can be overwhelming, feel devastating, and create a whirlwind within the mind and the emotions. Understanding and recognising the addicts baseline; implementing treatment with consideration for that baseline, makes a difference in the response and the experience of the treatment. Knowledge is empowering. Working with where the person is, where they were prior to ‘addiction’, and potential of recovering or managing the residuals to function is important in the healing process. To know oneself is a discovery tool in our recovery. To be acknowledged – seen for who one is now, deficits and all – is paramount in recovery, growth, and change. This mere fact often helps to heal these deficits and create new cognitive processes that benefit the individual in recovery.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 16:21:03 +0000
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