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Speakers - AWC 2026

Kevin P. Connelly - 5th Edition of Addiction World Conference AWC 2026

Kevin P. Connelly

Kevin P. Connelly

  • Designation: Founder of Reconnect Breath
  • Country: USA
  • Title: Breaking Addiction with Breath A Transformative Framework

Abstract

This presentation examines how dysfunctional breathing patterns can keep individuals locked in cycles of addiction, while conscious breathwork may offer an overlooked yet powerful key to recovery. Modern science has shown that the way we breathe has profound effects on the nervous system, influencing brain wave activity, heart rhythm, and the body’s overall stress response. When breathing becomes shallow, irregular, or dysregulated, patterns that are increasingly common in today’s overstimulated world, the brain interprets these signals as stress or threat. This perpetuates compulsive behaviors and urges, reinforcing the very cycles that many individuals in recovery struggle to escape.
Drawing from original research on controlled breathing and its measurable influence on both heart coherence and brain wave states, this session will explore how maladaptive breathing can directly contribute to anxiety, stress, and addictive patterns. Participants will learn how breath regulation interrupts these cycles by creating an internal environment of stability in both the heart and brain. These physiological shifts open new pathways for emotional regulation, impulse control, and resilience, all of which are critical factors in sustaining recovery.
The presentation will also highlight a complementary framework developed for addiction professionals. This system not only introduces evidence-based breathwork protocols but also provides a method for tracking client progress over time. By integrating measurable feedback tools, treatment counselors can observe how clients respond to different breathing practices and adapt interventions accordingly. This approach bridges the gap between ancient breathing traditions and modern therapeutic practice, offering both credibility and accessibility for those working in treatment and recovery.
Throughout the session, attendees will gain practical insights into how breathwork can be used alongside established treatment modalities. Emphasis will be placed on simple, effective protocols that can be integrated into individual counseling, group therapy, or relapse prevention planning. Rather than positioning breathwork as a replacement for traditional care, this presentation will demonstrate how it serves as a complementary tool that can enhance existing therapeutic approaches while giving clients a tangible practice they can use in moments of craving, stress, or emotional overwhelm.
Treatment counselors and other addiction professionals will leave the session with a deeper understanding of the science behind breathwork, practical tools they can begin using immediately, and a clear framework for measuring outcomes. The goal is to empower
professionals with both knowledge and actionable strategies, allowing them to expand their therapeutic toolkit and better support clients in breaking free from the cycles of addiction.
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