In this edition of The Way Out we turn our collective attention to a the very human need of connection and as we’ll discover, it has particular importance to those of us in Recovery from substances or other addictive behaviors. Recent and mounting evidence suggests one of the factors in determining whether or not an individual will develop an addiction is their ability or inability to establish and maintain healthy, meaningful connections to others, to the world around them, and to something greater than themselves. In a very real way, the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is indeed connection. Abstinence, however is a prerequisite for those of us who are addicts, alcoholics, or both for the artificially induced dopamine high courtesy of something decidedly non-human blocks our ability to connect in a meaningful, authentic way to the very people we so desperately want to connect with, whether we are aware of it or able to admit it or not. It’s no coincidence then, many of us who are in the midst of, or in recovery from addiction long have had trouble creating and sustaining the vital connections that are fundamental for all humans to truly thrive. This difficulty in connecting, often but not always rooted in childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences is very much part of what we are healing when we begin our recovery journeys. Establishing meaningful, healthy, caring, and supportive relationships with good people in and out of recovery is essential for a sobriety that is truly satisfying, for a life that’s worth living. When we incorporate powerful and transformative connections to a power greater than ourselves we are able to supercharge our connectedness to others, as well as embrace the healing power embodied in the flora and fauna found in nature. We come to realize we all are inexorably connected to each other, to a power greater than all of us, and to nature – in fact we are one. We’ll dig deep into the how and why of it all; share feedback from the sober and serious community and take your calls so listen up.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Connection is the opposite of addiction Ted Talk:

https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong?language=en

Relationship Quality Litmus Test:

https://www.shapeyourhappiness.com/the-importance-of-social-connection-and-why-you-need-it-in-your-life/

Additional Resources on Connection & Recovery:

Brene Brown Podcast on Loneliness & Connection

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3lT7o2zflFaDeD8An9zhri?si=LyutCy1NTHau50xg1Q-iMw