If we as survivors of abuse do not gain awareness and understanding of our abuse issues after we get sober, then we will remain in the grips of the trauma

If we as survivors of abuse do not gain awareness and understanding of our abuse issues after we get sober, then we will remain in the grips of the trauma and its aftershock. It is the unconscious factors operating in the background that leave us at risk of relapse from our dissociations.

On the other hand, as we can testify by our own lives, that we were working very hard on our abuse issues, doing everything humanly possible to stay sober and still struggling. We were making great progress with sobriety, but something was missing. That missing piece was the ten stages and child within aspect and it wasn't until we included that in our recovery treatment plan that we were able to get over the hump. Both are crucial for successful long-term recovery.

Since we know the profound impact that child abuse and neglect has on brain chemistry, it is also my belief that when we engage in behaviours like child within, the three hour workshops, study groups, meditations and Letting Go that help us connect to our child within that the validation, support and understanding that accompanies these activities is not only beneficial on the emotional level but it also helps balance out the neurotransmitters and heal brain trauma as well.

We know in our own experience as we became awakened about the effects of child abuse it is so mind-boggling and powerful it felt like brain cells and neurotransmitters were firing so strongly in our heads it was as if our brain was rearranging itself.Building new pathways. The information was so staggering and innovative in our mind because we had never heard it before and it changed our lives completely.

 The fact that we had awareness of our healthy child within was what empowered us and eliminated the abuse as a risk factor for relapse. With awareness came understanding for ourself and our behaviours, with understanding came forgiveness of ourself and motivation to study on our deeply buried issues. Awareness and understanding also began to lift the veil of shame and with that came a sense of freedom and the ability to develop a healthier identity.

When we would read a book about adult survivors of abuse or attend a course workshop, we identified so deeply that it was as if the workshops was written specifically about us. Another light bulb came on and we were astounded to learn that there was an explanation for all the craziness in our life. Suddenly, our entire life made sense and this information becomes incredibly healing.