Myth #2: Do Addicts Have Character Defects

Decoding Nine Myths About Recovery

In my novel, Stay Sober and Save the World the Cave Woman Way, Cave Woman and Sylvia (or Sil) develop an epistolary relationship with each other. The letter writing continues, as you’ll see below.

Dear Cave Woman,

Do addicts have character defects they need to atone for or fix?

Dear Sylvia, 

Addiction is not about character. Addiction is a Survival Brain pattern that once helped a person survive. The pattern became a default reaction or behavior, not a defect in a person’s character. Modern humans don’t know how to resolve trauma, which leaves the Survival Brain repeating old patterns. There are ways to address trauma that helps old patterns fade.

I have defaults of character, not defects of character?

That’s right.

Oh, yeah, I remember you telling me this before. I'm such a dummy.

Calling yourself a dummy keeps your nervous system in a state of siege. Ease up, my little porcupette.

I’m such smartie?

Very good. When you hear do addicts have defects of character remember they have defaults of character that are changeable.