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Some say that psychoactive drugs will be with us forever and
maybe they will. However, my life improved immensely and was
probably saved by my liberating myself from the pleasures,
enthusiastic bursts of creativity and agonies of alcohol and
smoke.
In fact, our society has declared a "war" on drugs and a sort of
"police action" on alcohol. Humorous, isn't it since far more
damage is done in the aggregate by alcohol than by all other
drugs combined? As a society we believe that we must solve this
catastrophic problem; or at least understand it enough so that
we reduce the destructive pressure on our culture. Having come
from a family of beautiful people who have been tragically
impacted by alcohol and other drugs, I have had an intense
interest in how and why this disaster happened to my dearest
loves and beyond that to our civilization as a whole. What is
the most effective way to heal the damage already done and
reduce the problem in the future?
This led me into one of the most fascinating investigations of
my life. I delved deeply into all of the conventional wisdom I
could find... and I did most of my investigation while
continuing to drink and smoke. I was what you call a highly
functional substance abuser. In fact, my problem was never
diagnosed by a professional or even a friend. I had to come to
the realization that I had a substance abuse problem through
self study.
Self study which involved a lot of EEG biofeedback and
meditation.
In the course of these studies I had what I think is at least a
relatively original insight. This insight enabled me to walk
away from the substances that had become so integrated with my
own intellectual, creative, even spiritual life. This personal
discovery made by many millions of others before me was that I
must quit all by myself. Another critical aspect of the
discovery provided the burning sense of mission required to be
successful as well as the realization that I must discover how
to do this as though it was being done for the first time ever.
The path to success came to me in a number of progressive
meditative reveries.
The kind of energy needed to go deeply within the mind
(meditation-contemplation) is constantly dissipated by
psychoactive drugs. This means that the very energy needed to
"make one's life work", to get work done, to be innovative and
to have the sensitivity to make one's relationships better is
absent. For me, the concept of meditation, profound attention
learning...entering deeply into the creative process, became so incredibly alluring that I realized I had to quit because that
is the only way to get the energy and sensitivity needed for the
next stages of this immense journey.
Although I have discussed this concept with a number of
substance abuse colleagues, the response is (with a few
exceptions) usually cool and even uneasy as though admitting
that alcohol and other drugs can actually stimulate the creative
process will unleash the forces of hell.
Yet, I believe that until we recognize the power that alcohol
and other drugs has to influence creativity in the normal human
being and offer another, superior way to stimulate and lubricate
the creative mind we are fighting our war on drugs with water
pistols.
Asking a person to give up booze is one thing, asking him to
give up his booze dependent creative process seems to the
alcoholic like asking him to give up his soul. There is a
reason we call liquor "spirits".
Who can deny that if we abruptly pulled all of the functional
substance abusers out of business, politics, science, art and
religion our society would collapse? It is intriguing to
imagine what might happen but then we will never know, will we?
Because most are light years from even acknowledging they have a
problem. However, those that have a sneaky feeling that their
already functional lives could work better are very much worth
targeting. I believe they are a big enough number to make a
tremendous difference in our culture as a whole...maybe the
critical difference.
Also, if this issue of the creative stimulus that alcohol and
drugs induces is addressed better then we can be much more
helpful in assisting those dysfunctional and devastated legions
of drug abusers in rescuing themselves.
The concept can be explained fairly easily. Activating the
implied principles is much more difficult but certainly
achievable for those motivated enough. Unfortunately, that
motivation usually comes from hitting bottom hard..... immediate
disaster, overwhelming loss, pain and agonizing sorrow.
There is however, another more upbeat kind of motivation which
can be added to the above and this powerful force can be the
critical catalyst which in turn produces the special ability to
allow the addiction to fall away without the usual depression.
In fact, many who recover using this principle experience
profound and healthy personality transformation. In short, they
often achieve real change not just another case of the "dry drunk"
syndrome.
The relationship between drugs and creativity may be described
in the following way: alcohol and other psychoactive drugs can
produce a temporary release from conditioned perception and
behavior. This quieting effect allows a release of archetypical
or creative imagery. Although much research in this area
remains to be done it seems to me that the evidence is growing that the brain
waves of addicts of many types are deficient in Alpha and Theta.
Furthermore, that the intake of the drug at least temporarily
enhances Alpha & Theta. Precisely those brain waves that are
missing are to some extent replaced( at least in the early phase
of intoxication). Indeed, the rapid growth of EEG biofeedback
is due largely to the studies published by Dr. Eugene Peniston
starting in 1989. If the original results of these studies
continue to hold, then EEG biofeedback represents the most
effective form of substance abuse therapy ever developed,
especially when combined with the best of the traditional
strategies.
The point is that Alpha and Theta brain waves during normal
consciousness are often accompanied by an increase in
creativity, less conditioned perception and behavior, and
usually a decrease in anxiety. Increasing, or better put,
correcting deficiencies in these types of brain waves seems to
accompany reduced stress, increased problem solving and most
importantly the kind of insight that produces peak (spiritual?)
personal experiences, long deemed to be essential to the kind of
healthy recovery that avoids the "dry drunk" syndrome and leads
to a transformation of life style.
I realized that there was some kind of powerful relationship
between alcohol (and presumably other drugs) and creativity when
I started looking at the numbers of artists who had serious
addiction problems yet also had successful careers. I did a
simplified survey of the top 100 writers of the last 100 years.
It is not so difficult because their private lives are usually
quite public.
I discovered that approximately 80% of these literary giants
were alcoholics by any current professional definition of
alcoholism. Of that 80% about 40% made a lot of money, enjoyed
some fame, had some fun and destroyed it all, often losing their
life to the booze. Roughly another 40% lived a more or less
normal lifespan, continued to be successful but still paid
dearly for their addiction in terms of personal relationships,
career opportunities lost and health problems. The remaining
20% did pretty well and were truly functional. However, I think
even a superficial investigation would show their addiction cost
them much more than it was worth. But then they all had been
trapped by what I dubbed the "Hemingway Syndrome".
Hemingway was archetypical in many ways and one of them was that
he was a classic alcoholic artist. In his early years he could
out drink almost anyone. He could drink and write and talk and
do all kinds of physical activities much better than the
drinkers around him even if he drank a lot more than they.
Then, over the years more and more alcohol was required to
sustain his creative output. Finally, ravaged by his addiction,
no amount of alcohol could help him sustain his creativity and
while living in paradise, a wealthy and honored giant in his
field, married to a fine woman who loved him dearly, he killed
himself.
For many years I felt quite alone with this "creativity-and
-drugs" hypothesis; however, last year I discovered a group of
British addictionologists who have been working on this problem
for decades and who have done numerous studies bearing out this
idea.
So what is this hidden principle which I assert makes all the
difference for many with addiction problems? And if it is as
powerful as it seems, what are the implications for healing of
this formidable disease? And how can it be implemented?
The territory can be described very quickly and simply; however,
just as a map is not the actual terrain, the description is not
the described. The following will generate much adversity
because there is no universally accepted scientific language for
the bed rock, basic, principle or principles that we assert is
both the problem and the solution...at least not yet.
It is exceptionally encouraging to see that there is tremendous
momentum building to develop words and mathematical symbols for
this principle...or principles. In point of fact many world
class scientists have been intensely aware of the ideas I am
discussing for a very long time. Recently a first rate
scientific society called ISSSEEM (International Society for the
Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine) has been formed
predominately for the purpose of proving the existence and
developing methods for wiser applications of the principles we
are pointing to.
Since there are no words in English for this fundamental
principle and dynamic, we have borrowed words from other more
mature languages. Hence, the terms Chi, Prana, Ki, Kundalini,
Odic Force, etc. are often used. The closest we come in English
is something like nervous energy, psychic energy, adrenaline
rush, being in the zone, peak performance, sense of mission, etc.
But in the end, all of these descriptions point to the same
thing...a quality and quantity of energy which has everything to
do with the quality (and quantity) of life and the ability of a
human being to unfold his/her potential...the energy or energies
associated with creativity.
In youth, there is this continuing hunger to break free and be
all one can be. But thickening layers of conditioning gradually
smother this flow of potential and vitality and most of us are
reduced to survival...existing.
The urge, finally the desperate urge to break free of this
consciousness crushing conditioning lies at the root of
substance abuse. This is particularly true of those mind
altering drugs that at least temporarily break down habitual
ways of perceiving, thinking, etc. such as alcohol, cocaine,
marijuana and many other hallucinogens. This drug based sense
of freedom, of energy, of creative capability is so fulfilling
(at least temporarily) and at times so pleasurable, even thrilling and
euphoric that almost no one who has tasted it can resist it.
Of course, there are apparently people for whom these drugs have
very little effect. Or who never encounter all the right
circumstances necessary for a series of seductive experiences to
occur. However, dealing with those for whom addictions are
simply no problem is not the focus of this piece as fascinating
a phenomenon as it is.
There is also the sense of healthy "addictions". How does one
draw the line between an addiction per se and the enthusiastic
love of some activity which has beneficial results? People who
love their work, art, sport, exercise, helping others,
volunteerism, good deeds may be said to have a kind of
addiction. In fact, the brain chemicals which constitute our
reward system drive healthy as well as unhealthy behaviors.
For the purposes of this essay we are not addressing those
healthy or even potentially healthy addictions but rather
focusing on those addictions which cause trouble...big trouble
and which inevitably lead to what is called in the trade
"hitting bottom".
One who has hit bottom, usually many times, has become aware
that the pain/reward ratio of using the substance is changing.
It has become less fun and the physical and emotional pain has
become greater. This leads to a sense of being trapped by the
drug as repeated attempts to learn to drink, smoke, etc.
moderately or healthily fail.
Even those who stop the drug and thereby save their life often
become depressed. Or better put, the underlying depression
emerges. An addictionologist once told me that the suicide rate
amongst male alcoholics who had stopped drinking was three times
greater than when they were drinking. Of course, a problem
drinker (drug abuser) is committing a slow suicide
anyway...unless accident or violence, etc speeds things up.
Perhaps one of the reasons that brain wave training seems to be
effective is that it may also treat the underlying depression.
The solution to the problem lies within it. The actual
technique or methodology for working one's way out of an
addiction is implied in the description of the principle which
follows.
THE DRUGS WE HAVE BEEN ADDRESSING IN THIS PIECE DERIVE MUCH OF
THEIR FORMIDABLE POWER FROM THEIR ABILITY TO TEMPORARILY BREAK
THE BARRIER OF CONDITIONING AND RELEASE SUBTLE ENERGY (CHI,
KUNDALINI, ETC). THIS RELEASE IS ACCOMPANIED BY ARCHETYPAL
IMAGERY AND A SENSE OF HEIGHTENED CREATIVITY.
I assert that these releases are premature and inappropriate and
that constantly tapping of this energy through drugs prevents
the healthy build up of this energy. When this subtle energy
builds up it can "explode". This "explosion" produces a much
more natural, healthier creative unfoldment. In fact, this
"explosion" is the creative process.
The typical grass addict is a classic example. (S)he will be
very articulate about his groovy dreams, ambitions, etc. and
even sound philosophically well worked out (after all the drug
has enhanced some types of perception.); however, months, years,
decades may roll by and yet he never really makes it happen.
(S)he often falls into the category of the talented under
achiever.
Every sound minded person I have ever known has hungered to
produce healthy change in his life (unhealthy change is quite
easy to bring about). The addicted person is too asleep to see
that the energy needed to break out of the prison and begin the
process of achieving worthwhile goals is available by stopping
the drugs. Once this insight is acquired and sustained in
consciousness, I assert that success at ending the addiction and
creating the possibility of personal transformation will
probably follow.
This leads to a dangerous but apparently highly effective
concept I call "progressive actualization". This concept as I
perceive it always emerges from crisis. Crisis means danger and
opportunity. The progressive part of progressive actualization
is the dangerous part because time is implied and to the mind
struggling to wake up time (especially psychological, ego
oriented time) is a sleeping pill and breeds procrastination.
The opportunity lies in the principle and accessibility of
actualizing ones potential by employing the law of La Via
Negativa. Come to the truth by eliminating the untrue. Gain
the energy you need to produce healthy change by reducing the
unnecessary dissipation of energy, especially subtle energy.
Implied in the following example is one of the most important
perhaps most powerful therapeutic strategies that exists in
addiction. IT IS THAT THE INSIGHTS WE HAVE BEEN DESCRIBING MUST
BE ACQUIRED BEFORE THE ADDICTED PERSON BEGINS THE JOURNEY TO
FREEDOM. Insight does not have to be articulated or even fully
conscious. But at some level, the pilgrim must be sensing these
principles.
At this point, I want to suggest that not only is this strategy
so extraordinarily effective that it ought to be made the
centerpiece of our national and for that matter any substance
abuse program; but that further, it already is and has been for
all history the most powerful strategy for ending unhealthy
addictions of all kinds. This becomes obvious by observing the
way that most people who end their addictions succeed. It is
well known in the substance abuse field that the majority of
people who healthily end their addictive behaviors do so without
the assistance of a professional. Make no mistake, I am not in
any way denigrating the role professionals play in the treatment
of addictions. On the contrary, a very large part of my life is
devoted to assisting health care professionals in improving
their results with substance abuse.
What we are asserting is that most people are still using the
drug while they gain the insight necessary in order to free
themselves. Most substance abuse programs operate from the premise that the patient must be free of the
drug in order to begin the program. I understand that such
programs are necessary. However, I believe they are effective
with far too little of the addicted population. And because
they lack the means to instill the insights and skills we have
discussed, the recidivism is far too high. Imagine a person who
must learn how to untie himself and his teacher says "first
remove the rope from around your wrists and then I will teach
you how to untie yourself".
Apparently, almost all of the third party payment sources are
questioning the cost effectiveness of the traditional drug rehab
model. In my view this makes the adoption of this concept and
these strategies all the more urgent.
I propose that the most productive way to free the greatest
number of addicted people is to develop programs which they can
enter into BEFORE or AFTER they are able to stop the substance
abuse. Fundamental aspects of the program should include:
1. Teaching stress management skills that enable them to cope
in the here and now (offsetting the drug as stress
medication).
2. Assisting them in learning to quiet and clear the mind enough
to gain the INSIGHTS we have been discussing.
3. Assistance in acquiring the skills that deepen the insight
and accumulate the energy necessary to change healthily.
Change, real change requires a sense of mission. I have
observed how quickly a sense of mission builds when individuals
see that the possibility of change actually exists for them here
and now. So, again this sense of mission is generated by a
fundamental insight.
It is important to recognize that people learn to do things by
trial and error. Most people who end addictions try many times
before they succeed. The process is:
1. Have the insight that it is more rewarding to stop than
continue.
2. Make the effort to stop.
3. Fail, grapple with the problem and try again.
4. Continue this process until successful.Brainwave
Neurofeedback appears to be an extraordinary tool for the actual
implementation of these principles because:
1. It shows people how to actually quiet the mind. This EEG
practice usually becomes pleasurable and the client learns to
do it without the instrument.
2. It provides a powerful method of stress management (self
regulation of central nervous system activity
profoundly affects the rest of the body).
3. The Alpha/Theta capability learned is in fact a peak
performance, creative, problem solving strategy. Enhancing
problem solving capability is valuable for everyone but it is
critical for people who have addictions.
4. It is widely accepted that unresolved, repressed
psychological material (known as clinical or sub clinical Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder) contaminates the consciousness and is
a driving force behind depression and addictions. Researchers
hypothesize that Alpha/Theta training appears to allow the
release of this repressed material in many clients in the form
of healthy therapeutic abreactions.
5. Normalization of brain chemistry. Although, much more
research is needed, researchers specializing in Neurofeedback
for addictions hypothesize that EEG Biofeedback assists in the
process of normalizing the brain chemistry including the reward
system.
6. Researchers further hypothesize that EEG biofeedback
is also effective with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD people
are 80% more at risk for substance abuse), and traumatic brain
injury (also can contribute to substance abuse).
Regardless of whether or not EEG training is available, the
concepts presented in this essay point to a strategy which
engages the addicted client in substantial educational and
therapeutic training in order to build up the strengths
(primarily insight, a sense of mission and effective methods for
dealing with stress and reducing overthinking) necessary to quit
and do so without going through the "dry drunk" syndrome. Above
all, it is critical to realize that human beings have a
fundamental hunger to live creatively. Intoxicants provide a
temporary method for accessing archetypical, creative imagery
(or at least the illusion that one is being more creative and is
breaking down the psychological walls of conditioning).
In order to assist the recovering individual we must go far
beyond getting them to stop one particular addiction which is
usually simply replaced by another. Studies indicate that even
traditional substance abuse programs that are properly run
return four to seven dollars for every dollar invested. The
addition of the strategies discussed herein should return a
minimum of ten dollars to one and an incalculable enhancement of
quality of life. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
THE HIDDEN CHALLENGE IN ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE
R. Adam Crane BCIA, ACN, NRNP