The Addicted Mind Podcast

311: Fostering Secure Attachments with Dr. Mary Crocker Cook

7 snips
Dec 9, 2024
Dr. Mary Crocker Cook, a seasoned therapist and addiction counselor, discusses the complex relationship between attachment styles and addiction, especially among high-achieving women. She reveals how early attachment disruptions lead to choosing emotionally unavailable partners and the ensuing emotional pain. The conversation touches on the importance of self-awareness, boundary-setting, and financial independence in navigating unhealthy dynamics. Dr. Cook offers practical strategies for fostering secure attachments and emphasizes the significance of supportive relationships in the healing process.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Attachment and Addiction

  • People repeatedly return to substance use or unhealthy relationships due to early attachment disruptions.
  • These disruptions create a belief system where healthy, mutual availability in relationships feels impossible.
INSIGHT

Attachment Styles

  • Secure attachment develops when caretakers consistently and accurately meet a child's needs.
  • Inconsistent or unavailable caretakers can lead to anxious or avoidant attachment strategies in children.
ANECDOTE

Choosing Unavailable Partners

  • Mary Crocker Cook admits to having an avoidant attachment style, leading her to choose unavailable partners.
  • She explains that this unconsciously reinforces her existing attachment patterns.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app