Abstract

As discussed in Dr. Shreve’s Book, “Shut up Stop talking to me…! Beating the negative voice in your head,” when people are over-exposed to fear or under some type of attack, this activates the one’s trauma response. Once the trauma body is activated, we then operate under the 4 “F’s”; Fight Flight Freeze and Fornicate as a means of managing the exposure to trauma.
Having worked with several thousand addicted patients, many said that they were overcome by stress and trauma.  Mitigating the effects of stress and traumatic situations, activates the survival and addiction circuits in the brain. Once activated, many patients will seek the use of substances to manage the effects of a traumatic life. Once the cross connection of these neurological systems occurs, creates a powerful “chemical dependent alter-ego.” As patients begin the unconscious (sometimes conscious) medication of trauma responses, that gives birth to and strengthens the “alter-ego of addiction.”
The voice that is created is now only focused on getting intoxicated.  Many patients’ relapses always start with their own voice convincing them that they have control over their addictions. Many patients describe quasi-states of dissociation as their alter-egoic voice of addiction takes over and they relapse. Many patients describe this phenomenon as “the addict in me took over…!”
Dr. Shreve’s training will highlight the development of these systems; identifying key neurological structures in the brain related to trauma and addiction. How habitual use of chemicals activates the alter-egoic voice of addiction. This training will present a different personality theory related to trauma and addiction. Lastly, specific Wellness strategies will be discussed on how to ultimately “slay the dragon” of addiction.