‘Urge Surfing’ is a process that uses a mindfulness based relapse prevention programme. The video below is issued by the The Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies.
Addiction is a complex subject. Abstinence and mindfulness approaches help manage the situation. Some people find abstinence the easiest approach, others can eventually re-learn habits, for example learning to drink responsibly.
Beyond controlling the addiction is the question of what the addiction is a symptom of? What in life is so intolerable that the addiction is preferable? Or did abuse and trauma lead to the addiction as a way to blot out painful thoughts and feelings? After getting the symptom under control, the underlying cause will often need addressing.
I don’t believe that addiction is a progressive illness. It certainly becomes a habit, a very difficult one to shake as any smoker will tell you. Like all habits, our minds and bodies can retrain themselves with the right support and conditions. As the video suggests, being able to manage the urges you act upon is a crucial part of this and this is something counselling can help with.
