Family of Origin Connects

Managing addictions means being willing to have a look at our family of origin experiences. Here are some areas that readers look to identify in the book & CD series… Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht

Happy & carefree
Emotionally balanced & supportive
Insecure & fearful
Emotional or physical neglect/abuse
Unusual punishment
Rules for approval
Family secrets
Denial of feelings
Missing parent sadness
Alcoholism or drugs

Most of us are familiar with the horrors of abuse in childhood and can understand how such experiences could inflict serious damage in adult life. Hopefully you were fortunate not to have experienced such horrific experiences, but every life story has ups and downs that effect current goals and so it is still very important to review how you were parented.

Parenting styles, along with genetic tendencies are closely related to the development of addictions. You already know that certain disease states run in families and are connected to the over-production of insulin that is the physiological under-pinning of physical addiction. It's the old chicken and egg question, but whatever it is, do know that it is possible to become addiction free if you know what to do, have hot desire and willingness to work through the moments, both easy and difficult. We must always be willing to pay the price for optimum health and high level performance.

Claire: Just about everyone in my family of origin, as well as my extended family had unhealthy behaviors. Everyone was addicted to something. Since this was all I learned during my growing up years, is it possible for me to change now at the age of 36?

MIND EXERCISE Relax deeply and go inward easily as before. Take time to look closely into the many childhood chapters and notice the health issues of family members, yourself, as well as the emotional clothing worn by others and your child-self as you travel the time line. You might see the name of the emotion on the clothing label.

Were there family members with diseases related to addictions?

Was there any fear either physical or emotional?

Look at the labels in your emotional coats and make some notes about them. They will be useful later on in your work with the Inner Coach.

What sort of emotional coats were worn by those responsible for your care?

Now look to the emotions/behaviors of your parents. Was there alcoholism, abuse, cruel or unusual punishment, emotional neglect or psychological abuse?

Were you nurtured on your time-line?

Did anyone teach you how to manage your emotions and stress?

Observe if the parenting style included anxiety, criticism, rigidity, over-protectiveness, reversal of parent/child roles, performance related approval, denial of feelings or perhaps family secrets. These are all important keys to the unfolding of your present and future life and you may want to do some hypnotic editing in these areas, either with the help of a psychotherapist or by yourself if you feel you comfortable.

Just as if you were reading a book about you, notice how you managed when things were not going your way or when you were fearful?

Were there any compulsive behaviors or addictions that were utilized?

What was the response of your caregivers to your stress management tools?

Allow your pen to flow the subconscious messages onto your paper.

This is a good moment to make some notes about your thoughts. Your subconscious mind is very involved in what you are learning and is busy bringing your attention to things that are especially important to you. Pay attention to your thoughts as you read through this material.

Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, President & Program Designer for Sarasota Medical & Sports Hypnosis Institute located in Sarasota, FL & online at http://www.hypnosis-audio.com& http://www.sugar-addiction.com She is the author of Sugar....the Hidden Eating Disorder & How to Lick It, Beyond Disorderly Eating...The Truth About Sugar, Bingeing & How to Stop, as well as The MindBody Fitness Boot Camp... Lifestyle Change Made Easy. She has also written & produced +350 audio CD's & mp3's. The websites include moderated discussion groups, ezines, library & a host of other educational tools for learning Interactive Self-Hypnosis. Visit the online Boot Camp & work directly with the author. Download a free mp3 each month.