The Fallacy of Willpower: Why Shame Fails in Addiction Recovery

Compulsive behaviors aren't simply a lack of willpower or honesty.

They're deeply rooted in our neurological programming, often linked to positive feeling states despite negative consequences.

Shaming individuals for their struggles doesn't break these connections—it often reinforces them.

Brain-based therapists (ahem…ALL therapists) need to understand that true change requires addressing the full spectrum of human experience: emotions, body sensations, and early childhood programming.

It’s modalities like EMDR and brainspotting offer powerful tools to rewire these deep-seated patterns, going beyond surface-level behavior modification.

Let’s challenge outdated approaches and embrace more comprehensive, compassionate methods in addiction recovery.

Who’s with me?

If you found this Short interesting and want to learn more, check out my latest YouTube video, “EMDR for Addiction Treatment and Healthy Habit Formation” which is available to watch now.

Video is linked here!

And if you want to continue to learn and grow in the therapy room, you can get your own Client Workbook here! zerodisturbance.com/client-workbook

Note: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy. If you’re experiencing difficulties, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health provider.

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