Childhood trauma is a significant factor in addictive behaviors and often acts as a barrier to overcoming them. This section explores how such early experiences can influence our lives and suggests strategies for recovery.
The path to recovery involves structuring your life in alignment with innate human needs—what we inherently seek from birth through adolescence. Understanding what was lacking during these formative years is crucial. Part of recovery is learning to fulfill these unmet needs ourselves, essentially becoming Super Parents to our adult selves. This means taking on the roles of camp counselors, parents, babysitters, therapists, dieticians, shamans, gym trainers, and advisors for ourselves.
For example, I might realize that my childhood needs were neglected. Perhaps my cries were ignored, I was left uncomfortable in my diapers for too long, or I experienced hunger more often than not. Worse, I might recall seeking comfort and receiving indifference or hostility instead, like being slapped instead of cuddled when I cried.
To heal, it’s essential to unearth and confront these painful memories. Writing them down, reflecting on them, and rationalizing them are steps toward understanding the impact they've had. It’s likely necessary to revisit and process the old emotions that may still linger and influence my behavior. Acknowledging and addressing these buried feelings is a critical step in breaking free from the patterns of the past and moving towards a healthier future.
To complement this healing process, consider engaging in mental exercises to provide practical healing, turning the trauma in your body into a mental thought. For instance, take a quiet walk in a forest and focus on synchronizing your breathing with your steps. As you walk, bring up a painful memory. With each step forward, visualize the leaves and branches around you absorbing your pain. Imagine the earth under your feet supporting you, and with each step, feel your emotional burdens being grounded into the earth, decomposing like fallen leaves. This exercise can help you connect with nature while allowing the environment to metaphorically cleanse and heal your emotional wounds.