Free Recovery Lecture
Adoption and Addiction - understanding the impact of an early psychological wound
Presented by Paul Sunderland
There is a high incidence of addiction amongst adoptees with a disproportionate number presenting for treatments and recovery programs. For the addicted adoptee, the hunger for attachment to a person, mood altering chemical or compulsive behaviour requires particular explanation and consideration.
This lecture draws on clinical experience and information from the fields of Attachment Theory and Traumatology, to explore why so many adoptees experience disabling feelings around issues of belonging and abandonment;
The hypothesis is that the adoption wound is particularly powerful and enduring because it is a pre-verbal trauma stored in implicit memory systems rather than in explicit memory: The unconscious remembers the relinquishment as devastating and makes a mental note to avoid any similar experience at all costs. The conscious mind is unable to recall the trauma and so has no defence against the old lie that what cannot be remembered cannot have impact!
Biography
Paul Sunderland is an addictions psychotherapist, consultant and trainer. He is Executive Director of Outcome Consulting, a UK based consultancy providing a range of psychological services and solutions to the addictions field. He has previously held the posts of Head of Treatment at Clouds House and Clinical Director at Crossroads Centre, Antigua. He is a trustee of the Addiction Recovery Foundation
Date & Time:
Tuesday 15th September
Lecture: 7.00-9.00pm
Venue:
The Lecture Hall
Kensington Central Library
Phillimore Walk
London, W8 7RX
Tube: Kensington High Street
Entrance is through the Reception on the corner of Phillimore Walk and Camden Hill Road
Fees:
FREE
Attendees will be presented with a certificate on completion of the lecture
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