-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
mental/emotional
alcoholism
psychospiritual approaches
metaphors and correlations
CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) of 245 neurological and 194 psychiatric patients were tested for viral antibodies and interferon. Complement-dependent neutralizing antibodies to herpes virus hominus 1 were found in the CSF of patients with senile dementia (52%), encephalitis (51%), alcoholism (44%), lesions of peripheral nerves (37%), sclerosis multiplex (42%), meningitis (35%), schizophrenia (32%), mental retardation (11%). CSF interferon was found in psychiatric patients with an equal or even higher incidence (34-52%) than in the neurological patients (30-39%). The evaluation of the ratio of serum and CSF titers of viral antibodies and interferon showed local synthesis of both in the CNS. (Locke, 1983, p. 172)
"The alcoholic has a lifelong, entrenched pattern of acting out, not talking out, his problems. This is a crucial difference between the alcoholic and others. If his self- esteem is wounded, the alcoholic acts out his hurt by drinking. If he feels rejected, depressed, criticized, ashamed, or angry, he does not explore the feelings but acts to rid himself of them by drinking. The dialogues he holds with himself are designed to justify his reasons for drinking, not to obviate them. Shame and defensiveness play some part in the refusal to explore the behavior, but there may be other reasons as well. For one, s/he senses that no explanation will be sufficient to excuse the destructiveness of the drinking. For another, any invitation to explore the reasons s/he drinks carries the implication that s/he should talk instead of drink, and s/he does not wish to be made to give up drinking. Words cannot offer the immediate relief that drinking does; they are not soothing, tranquilizing, or ego-building." (Coudert, p. 75)
Alcohol is an attempt to fulfill the quest of an ideal, conflict-free world of universal brotherhood. (Dethlefsen, p. 239)
Repeated studies of alcoholics have confirmed that it is almost invariably fear which drives an alcoholic to seek help; fear for his safety, health, or sanity; fear of loss of love, family, home, or job. An event ferocious enough, frightening enough, appalling enough, or humiliating enough happens to breech his denial system. But the defenses of the mind are like those of the body; they rush to wall off, to localize and repair damage. NO sooner has the alcoholic faced the magnitude and malignancy of his drinking problem than the denial begins to build again and he begins to temporize. As paradoxical as it seems, therefore, the first phase in any treatment approach to the alcoholic, even the alcoholic who has specifically presented himself to obtain help with his drinking problem, must center on his being confronted with the inescapable fact of his alcoholism. He must be repeatedly reminded he is an alcoholic, that he is no different from other alcoholics in his vulnerability to alcohol, and that his feelings of imperviousness to relapse are not justified. Even with persistent confrontations, it may take 3-6 months before the alcoholic's efforts to rebuild his denial system taper off, and this will be the time of greatest danger that he will drop out of AA or back out of treatment." Coudert, p. 225)
(Related materia medical listings: addiction: psychosocial approach; the alcoholic in treatment)
Running from the self; fear; feelings of futility, guilt, inadequacy; self-rejection. (Hay, 1984, p. 151)
It is generally believed that people who are addicted to alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs have a chemical addiction, meaning their cells are hooked on the drug(s). But at the level of the body's chemistry, we find that heroin or nicotine fits into the same receptors on the cell walls that everyone has. An addict does not have receptors that exhibit abnormal cravings. The truth seems to be that the cell's memory for the addictive substance is what is hooked, and it keeps creating distorted cells that reflect its weakness. In other words, an addiction is a distorted memory. If you take an addict, detoxify his body, and keep him away from alcohol or drugs for several years, all the old cells that used to be 'chemically addicted' are totally gone. Yet the memory persists, and if you give it a chance, the memory will latch onto the addictive substance once again. (Chopra, p. 88)
(see also: state-dependent learning)
Conflict between a primary and a secondary process in which one uses increasing quantities of a drug to support a secondary process in order to overcome the primary one. (Mindell, 1988, p. 173)
(see also: process oriented paradigm; holographic paradigm)
"Without understanding and following a given process structure, special methods such as AA are not necessarily successful, because simply forbidding alcoholism uses only one part of the personality. Part of the program is for the AA member to claim, 'I am and always will be an alcoholic.' The somewhat evangelistic tone of AA works with many because it picks up on the alcoholic's secondary discipline and courage. There are many people with complicated processes who require more than escalating and accessing the courage and militarism in their secondary processes. They also need to find the meaning and the teleology in their drinking." (Mindell, 1988, p. 132)
"Being an alcoholic or an addict means having a preference for a certain state of consciousness. It is not drug dependent but can be accessed as an altered state. Only one of the parts is drunk or stoned. There is always another part which can be accessed. With a drugged person, however, accessing any secondary process when the primary one is drunk will be a very sobering experience because drunkenness is only a primary process. For example, the person may find the courage to look closely and soberly at their responsibility". (Mindell, 1988, p. 122, 131)
Chinese psychophysiology:
Spleen ~ Pi governs digestion; transforms food into Qi and Xue (Blood); resolves Dampness; and relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel balanced and centered.
» Healthy expressions are fairness, openness, deep thinking, and reminiscence.
» Spleen Xu (Deficiency) signs include slightness (deficient "form"); abundant elimination; morning fatigue; cold, wet feet (Seem, p. 28); abdomen taut and distended like a drum; craving for sweets; flatulence; nausea; mild edema; memory failure; heavy feeling in legs; easy bruising; pale lips; loose stools; muscular weakness; and, indirectly, obesity.
» The excessive use of the mind in thinking, studying, concentrating, and memorizing over a long period of time tends to weaken the Spleen and may lead to Xue Yu (Blood Stasis). This also includes excessive pensiveness and constant brooding. (Maciocia, p. 241) Likewise, inadequate physical exercise, overexposure to external Dampness, and excess consumption of sweet and/or Cold foods will also deplete the Spleen.
Liver ~ Gan is the home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; stores and cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); reflects emotional harmony and movement; and expresses itself in the nervous system.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
» Liver Shi (Excess) signs include discontent; anger; pain in lumbar region and genitals (Seem, p. 28); muscular tension; excessive sex drive; insomnia; moodiness; excitability; genital diseases; red, tearing eyes; compulsive energy; and bitter taste in the mouth. Chronically suppressed anger can implode and give rise to Fire in the Liver and Gall Bladder with symptoms of irritability, bitter taste, headaches, etc.
» Liver Qi Stagnation reflects and accentuates emotional constraint as the Liver's function of facilitating smooth flow in the body is constricted. Stagnation is associated with frustration, irritability, tension, and feeling stuck. With time this pattern tends to produce a gloomy emotional state of constant resentment, repressed anger or depression, along with tightness in the chest, frequent sighing, abdominal tension or distension, and/or a feeling of a lump in the throat with difficulty in swallowing. (Maciocia, p. 216)
Gall Bladder ~ Dan is the source of courage and initiative, and is responsible for decision-making as the bodily Minister of Justice; controls circulation of the nourishing and protecting energies [Ying Qi and Wei (Protective) Qi]; and opens into the eyes. Its channel purifies Yang energy in the body.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, decisiveness, control, and spirit of initiative.
» Gall Bladder Shi (Excess) signs include tiredness; sighing; irritability; bitter taste in the mouth in the morning; pain in all joints; edematous knees and legs (Seem, p. 29); tinnitus; lateral headache; heaviness in head and stomach; muscular spasms; and limbs slightly cold. Chronically suppressed anger can implode and give rise to Fire in the Liver and Gall Bladder.
» Anger, frustration, and resentment can cause Liver Qi Stagnation which, in turn, can produce Heat which affects the Gall Bladder.
Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; governs Water to regulate body fluids; nourishes the brain to sustain concentration, clear thinking, and memory; and displays the effects of dissipation, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress.
» Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance.
» Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); hearing loss; fearfulness; apathy; chronic fatigue; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; difficult inhalation; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, especially when worse from touch.
» Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Often chronic anxiety may induce Xu (Deficiency) and then Fire within the Kidney. (Maciocia, p. 250) Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency).
therapies
imagery:
do it again lamb (Chavez): addiction
Mut and crone journey (Scully)
Taueret journey: rebirth (Scully)
behavior modification:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
affirmation:
I live in the now.
Each moment is new.
I choose to see my self worth.
I love and approve of myself. (Hay, 1984, p. 151)
One day at a time. (Alcoholics Anonymous)
Easy does it. (Alcoholics Anonymous)
process paradigm:
AA picks up on the alcoholic's secondary discipline and courage. However, there are many people who also need to find the meaning and the teleology in their drinking.
What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: psycho/neurological system)
Related materia medical listings:
converting a symptom to a signal
the shadow and physical symptoms
recovery: twelve step programs
recovery: precautions with AA programs
recovery: stages of treatment
hologram of an alcoholic
addiction: psychosocial approach
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
process paradigm
footnotes