Sober Synthesis

What are attachment styles?

• Our autonomic nervous system is tethered (unconsciously connected) to the autonomic nervous system of others.
• We develop an attachment style in early development based on our interactions with primary caregivers. 
  • A secure attachment style can become an insecure attachment style in response to a traumatic and/or unhealthy relationship later in life.
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What are proposed predominant brain processing differences with insecure attachments and what broad corrective/therapeutic processes may help the development of a more secure attachment?

• Anxious/ambivalent (Preoccupied): 
  • Oriented to the right hemisphere, focused on the past, may be flooded with emotions
  • Focus on sense of self, practice receiving
• Avoidant (Dismissive):
  • Oriented to the left hemisphere, focused on the future, logic/reasoning 
  • Focus on connection (e.g. eye contact, touch, dance)
• Disorganized (Fearful-Avoidant):
  • Lack of linkage in the Associative Cortex (brain region bridge), amygdala often stuck in trauma
  • Untangle survival instinct from love/attachment system

How to develop a more secure attachment?

• Understand neuroception (beneath the level of conscious awareness)
  • Depending on how our nervous system ‘interprets’ a situation determines whether we numb/disconnect, dysregulate/distrust, or connect. 
• We can learn to develop and maintain secure attachments. Essential features include:
  • Modulating our autonomic nervous system arousal (supporting physical and emotional balance). 
  • Connecting to a secure base (individuals and/or groups). 

Proposed questions for thought/sharing:

1. How has your attachment style played out in your relationships? In your addiction? In your recovery?
2. Have therapeutic and/or self-help individuals/groups supported your development of a secure base? How? 
3. What self care activities have been most helpful to support your physical and emotional balance?

Disclaimer

This summary is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed.