Dr. Oliver Morgan, a seasoned expert in counseling and addiction, shares insights from his thirty years of experience. He discusses how addiction can be viewed as an attachment disorder, and the heartbreaking dynamics of these 'jealous relationships.' Morgan highlights how individual addictions often mirror wider societal issues, suggesting a need for community-based solutions. The conversation weaves in personal narratives, trauma's role in addiction, and the importance of rebuilding relationships for recovery. Hope flows through as he emphasizes the power of human connections in overcoming addiction.
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Dr. Morgan's Journey
Dr. Morgan, 73, shares his addiction and recovery journey, starting in his 30s during his doctoral program.
His experience led him to question the brain disease model and explore trauma's role in addiction.
insights INSIGHT
Trauma and Absence
Oliver Morgan highlights how trauma can include not only negative events but also the absence of vital human connections.
He emphasizes how this 'absence of good' can be just as impactful.
insights INSIGHT
Open Systems
Humans are open systems deeply shaped by social connections, especially early childhood experiences.
Positive responses nurture healthy brain development, while negative or absent ones create vulnerabilities like addiction.
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Oliver J. Morgan's "Addiction, Attachment, Trauma, and Recovery" offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to understanding and treating addiction. The book explores the intricate connections between addiction, attachment styles, and trauma, providing a holistic framework for clinicians and researchers. It challenges traditional models of addiction, emphasizing the importance of social and relational factors in both the development and recovery from addictive behaviors. The book integrates insights from neurobiology, attachment theory, and social ecology to offer a nuanced perspective on addiction. Ultimately, it advocates for a more compassionate and relational approach to treatment, focusing on reconnection and healing.
The Globalization of Addiction
The Globalization of Addiction
Bruce K. Alexander
The Body Keeps the Score
Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Bessel van der Kolk
In this book, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma reshapes both the body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores various treatments, including neurofeedback, meditation, sports, drama, and yoga, which activate the brain’s natural neuroplasticity to aid in recovery. The book emphasizes the power of relationships in both causing and healing trauma and offers hope through descriptions of novel approaches to treatment. It is based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists in the field[1][2][5].
The Myth of Normal
Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
Gabor Maté
Daniel Maté
In this book, Gabor Maté and his son Daniel Maté challenge the prevailing understanding of 'normal' health, arguing that Western medicine often neglects the impact of trauma, stress, and modern-day living on our bodies and minds. They connect the dots between individual health issues and the broader societal problems, offering a compassionate guide for health and healing. The book is based on over four decades of clinical experience and is supported by extensive scientific research, patient stories, and personal disclosures.
Dr Morgan is a Professor of Counseling & Human Services at the University of Scranton, who has spent thirty years researching, teaching, and writing about mental health and addiction. He is the author of Addiction, Attachment, Trauma and Recovery, which provides a holistic, multidisciplinary framework for understanding and treating addictive processes.
In this conversation, we explore:
— The extent to which addiction can be viewed as an attachment disorder
— The central paradox at the heart of addiction
— Why addiction is a “jealous relationship” that crowds out most others
— Why addictions localised within individual members can be thought of as “symptoms” of much wider societal problems.
And more.
You can get a copy of Dr Morgan’s book by going to https://bit.ly/oliver-addiction.
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Dr. Oliver Morgan is a distinguished Professor of Counseling & Human Services in the Panuska College of Professional Studies at the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA. With a diverse educational background, he holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, a Master's degree in Marital and Family Therapy, and a doctoral degree in Pastoral Psychotherapy from Boston University.
Dr. Morgan's expertise lies in the fields of addiction studies, marital and family counseling, and pastoral care. He has made significant contributions to the academic community through his teaching and publications. As a faculty member since 1990, he has taught various courses in undergraduate and graduate programs, shaping the curriculum in Addiction Studies and Marital and Family Counseling. Dr. Morgan also served as the Department Chair from 1997 to 2009.
His publications include an acclaimed book titled "Addiction, Attachment, Trauma and Recovery: The Power of Connection," published in 2019 by W.W. Norton. Additionally, he has co-edited five books covering topics such as Addiction Studies, Catholic Intellectual Thought, and Counseling & Spirituality. Dr. Morgan has authored or co-authored numerous book chapters, proceedings, and peer-reviewed articles on subjects ranging from addiction and pastoral care to spirituality and clinical practice.
Beyond his academic endeavors, Dr. Morgan has been involved in service and leadership activities both within the university and the wider community. He has held important roles in university-wide task forces focused on student lifestyles and corporate mission and identity. Furthermore, he co-founded a psychosocial oncology practice in Northeast Pennsylvania, offering support to cancer patients, their caregivers, and loved ones.
Dr. Oliver Morgan's contributions to counseling, addiction studies, and his commitment to compassionate care have established him as a respected educator, researcher, and practitioner in the field of counseling and human services.
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4 Books Dr Morgan Recommends for Every Therapist Should Read:
— Addiction, Attachment, Trauma, and Recovery: The Power of Connection — Oliver J. Morgan - https://wwnorton.co.uk/books/9780393713176-addiction-attachment-trauma-and-recovery
— In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction — Dr Gabor Maté - https://amzn.to/4125SLH
— The Globalization of Addiction: A Study in Poverty of the Spirit — Bruce K. Alexander - https://amzn.to/46I1yp1
— Addiction and Spirituality: A Multidisciplinary Approach — Oliver J. Morgan - https://amzn.to/3JWpQBU