In this deeply reflective video, Joey examines the spiritual aspects of addiction and recovery, suggesting that true healing involves not just addressing physical symptoms or mental patterns, but reconnecting with one's authentic self and something greater.
Understanding the Root of Addiction
Joey begins by exploring the deeper roots of addiction, suggesting that substance use or behavioral addictions often emerge as responses to profound emotional pain or a sense of spiritual disconnection. Rather than viewing addiction as simply a lack of willpower, he frames it as an attempt to fill a void or numb a deeper suffering.
"Many of us turned to substances or behaviors because we were feeling something we didn't want to feel, or we weren't feeling something we desperately wanted to feel," Joey explains, highlighting how addiction often masks underlying emotional wounds.
Emotions as Messengers, Not Enemies
A significant portion of the video is dedicated to reframing our understanding of difficult emotions. Joey discusses how feelings like fear, anger, guilt, shame, and loneliness should not be viewed as negative states to be avoided, but rather as important messengers offering insights into our internal landscape.
"Anxiety might be telling us that something in our life is out of alignment with our values," he suggests, "while anger often signals that a boundary has been crossed." This perspective invites viewers to develop a more curious and compassionate relationship with their emotional states, rather than attempting to suppress or escape them.
The Three-Fold Nature of Addiction
Drawing from the wisdom of 12-step recovery programs, Joey describes addiction as having three interconnected dimensions: physical cravings, mental obsession, and what he terms a "spiritual malady" or "sickness of the soul." This spiritual component, he suggests, is often the most overlooked yet may be the most fundamental.
"We can detox the body and work with the mind, but if we don't address the spiritual disconnection at the core of addiction, we're not addressing the root cause," Joey emphasizes, highlighting why purely medical or psychological approaches may not be sufficient for lasting recovery.
The Transformative Power of Spiritual Awakening
Referencing the renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung, Joey discusses how meaningful recovery often involves what Jung called a "numinous experience" – a profound encounter with something sacred or divine that fundamentally shifts one's perspective and relationship with life.
"Jung understood that some forms of suffering can't be resolved at the same level of consciousness that created them," Joey notes, explaining why transformative experiences that expand our awareness may be necessary for profound healing.
Recovery as Remembering
Perhaps most powerfully, Joey reframes the entire concept of recovery not as fixing something broken, but as a process of remembering one's true self – the authentic being that exists beneath layers of pain, trauma, and adaptive behaviors.
"Recovery isn't about becoming someone new; it's about remembering who you've always been beneath the pain," he reflects. "It's about removing the obstacles to the awareness of our true nature."
The Essential Role of Connection
Throughout the video, Joey emphasizes that genuine healing cannot happen in isolation. He highlights the vital importance of connection in recovery: connecting honestly with others, with one's own truth, and with something greater than oneself.
For Joey, this connection is fostered through attending recovery meetings and openly sharing his experiences. "When I speak my truth in a room of others who understand, something shifts," he explains. "The shame loses its power, and I remember I'm not alone in this journey."
In closing, Joey invites viewers to consider their own spiritual wellbeing as an essential component of mental health and recovery, suggesting that addressing this dimension may be the key to lasting transformation and authentic healing.