Addiction Treatment in NYC: Restoring the Self
Addiction often develops when the sense of self feels strained, fragmented, or overwhelmed. From a depth-oriented perspective, substance use and compulsive behaviors are attempts to create stability, regulate emotion, or numb the pain of feeling misunderstood or alone. While these strategies may bring temporary relief, they ultimately deepen distress and interfere with living a cohesive, meaningful life. In my practice, we look beyond symptom control to understand the inner experience that makes addiction feel necessary.
Understanding the Defensive Function of Addiction
Recovery involves more than addressing physical dependence. It requires understanding the emotional realities that drive the behavior—such as unresolved conflict, trauma, chronic stress, or deep self-doubt. Through a Self-Psychological lens, addiction is viewed as an effort to self-soothe when internal emotional support feels insufficient. By addressing these roots, we build healthier ways of coping and the resilience needed for lasting recovery.
The Selfobject Function of Addiction
Substances and compulsive behaviors often serve as substitute selfobjects—external attempts to stabilize an inner world that feels empty, fragile, or overstimulated. Our work focuses on understanding and repairing these patterns:
- Internal Fragmentation: When the self feels unstable, substances may be used to create a temporary sense of cohesion or vitality.
- Numbing Emotional Pain: Addiction can act as a shield against the pain of past misattunements, losses, or trauma.
- The Shame Cycle: Guilt and self-criticism after using often fuel further use, creating a painful loop.
- Building True Self-Soothing: Therapy helps replace external fixes with internal emotional anchors and stability.
A Reflection on Progress
"It's not about being perfect; it's about making progress."
The Path to Recovery: Our Therapeutic Approach
Recovery is a process of self-discovery and growth. Our work focuses on building a more grounded, authentic, and fulfilling life:
1. Creating a Safe Relational Space
Therapy offers consistent empathy and attunement. This safe environment allows you to explore your story without fear of judgment, helping you understand how addiction took hold.
2. Turning Pain into Insight
By working through the emotions and experiences beneath addictive patterns, pain can be transformed into understanding and choice. This creates greater freedom from automatic, compulsive reactions.
3. Strengthening Self-Cohesion
As your sense of self becomes more stable and integrated, the pull toward addictive behaviors often lessens. We focus on developing emotional grounding and resilience.
4. Sustainable Healing and Stability
The goal is lasting change. By addressing the deeper needs of the self, recovery becomes more than stopping a behavior—it becomes a shift in how you experience yourself and your life.