As we explore the many functional aspects of Integrated Awareness®, we have had the pleasure of serving those on the personal path of recovery from alcohol, drug, food and relationship addictions. For some, Integrated Awareness is one in a long series of interventions being explored over many years. For others, Integrated Awareness® has been a major jumping off spot into sobriety early in an individual’s path.
Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction is viewed as a beginning of sorts, in an individual’s becoming more aware and conscious of how they live their lives. For some, it is an immediate crisis of do (drugs and/or alcohol) or die. For others, a slow degrading of the experience of life occurs. In either case, the original commitment to change is generally done in the presence of crisis. As is well known in 12-step tradition, then the hard work of committing to sobriety every day begins. Integrated Awareness® is “self healing through self discovery”. Through table and floor work, issues both general and personal are explored with the intention that the person will come to be more aware of their emotions; body and mental habits; underlying reasons for not being more conscious; conscious choice making; and greater self trust in fulfilling their commitment and responsibility to themselves in this life.
From an Integrated Awareness® perspective, the use of substances or relationships that are not congruent with a beneficial life, serve as a form of strategy to not feel emotionally. As with all addictions, there is a brief period in which the behaviors work for us – this is why we perpetuate them. Over time our addictions entrap us. Becoming sober requires awareness and consciousness in choice on a daily basis, this is exactly what the substances originally helped us to avoid!
Depending on when abuse occurs and for what duration, movement, thought, brain and behavioral patterns are established. Habits in all these areas are then reinforced externally in relationship with others.
This in essence, creates a family or community need for conscious change if the person choosing sobriety is to be successful within their established world. What we know from the Parents Go First model is that if ease of change is desired, when the caregiver (parent, spouse) chooses awareness and consciousness in their lives, the work of the alcoholic/addict is easier. So, in this way, Integrated Awareness® is also very useful in the personal exploration of change that the caregiver is involved in.
Please contact Sara, Karen or Faith at 207-667-6783 for more specific information about this unique service. We are available to speak to groups, provide direct service or consult to anyone interested in the use of Integrated Awareness® in the recovery process. In addition, Sara travels regularly to the Los Angeles, CA area specifically for this purpose.
