The Tree of Addictions
A simple and effective way of thinking about addictions is to picture them as the branches of a tree.
We can think of each addiction as being a different branch.
However, we know that the part of the tree that we see above the surface is not the whole story.
Trees have roots, and so do addictions.
We also know that not everybody who feels grief or fear will become addicted to something, so we
also need to think about the conditions in the soil that make it fertile for addictions to grow.
Addictions:
GAMBLING WORK There are many kinds of
addictions: Behaviours,
Events, Experiences,
People and Substances.
FOOD
In different cultures
PEOPLE (CODEPENDENCY) some of them are seen as
more acceptable than
DRUGS others.
SEX
ALCOHOL
RELIGION
The Roots of
Addictions:
Different people
may have
different roots
SHAME (or combinations
LONELINESS SEXUAL ABUSE
of roots) for the
same addiction
FEAR HEREDITARY FACTORS
PHYSICAL ABUSE
GRIEF ANGER
EMMOTIONAL ABUSE The Soil of Addictions:
SPIRITUAL ABUSE
Abuse of any kind
provides fertile ground for
the roots to develop into
addictions.
Just cutting down the tree above the surface does not deal with the whole issue…
Without dealing with the roots and the soil it is common for people to stop one addiction but start
another. Sometimes this may involve swapping an addiction that is not culturally acceptable (e.g.
illegal drug use) for one that is more acceptable (e.g. workaholism).
