The Answer Model: A New Path to Healing

by Todd Ritchey

The Answer A new path to healing describes an exciting new model of human behavior that is also a powerful method of healing, psychotherapy, and personal growth. The Answer Model - which is based on cutting-edge research in neuroscience, psychology, and anthropology - suggests that nearly all of us develop unconscious biochemical addictions to our own pain and emotional distress. Because states of emotional distress release stress hormones that act in the brain much like addictive drugs, the model suggests that people develop literal addictions to states such as anxiety, hurt, regret, and self-pity. The Answer Model has been shown to be extraordinarily effective in treating a wide range of psychological and physical ills, including drug addiction, sex addiction, alcoholism, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, chronic pain, and chronic depression. This book will show you how the most powerful biological force operating in the cells of your brain and body - the drive towards psychological and physical balance, or homeostasis - can lead you not only to optimal physical and emotional health, but also to the highest creative, artistic, and spiritual experiences. The Answer Model was co-developed by John Montgomery, a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Santa Monica, California, and Todd Ritchey, an addiction specialist from Vancouver, British Columbia.

175 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

We don’t often think about it but the world of human beings has changed dramatically. Evolutionary speaking, it was not that long ago that our ancestors were hunter gatherers, living and traveling in small bands. Survival was the primary focus so it was beneficial to have inbuilt chemical and hormonal systems in place to provide that fight or flight response. Being that digestion, elimination, and feeling pain would slow these lifesaving responses, these systems were automatically muted.

However, what worked well for hunter gatherers doesn’t necessarily translate well into modern life. Survival situations such as running from a wolf, killing a bear, or fighting off a rival mate for most of us isn’t much of an issue. Nonetheless, our bodies still react to daily stress as if we were in a life or death situation.

The Answer Model looks at stress and how our hunter gatherer bodies react to modern day stresses. In particular, the author looks at the roles of dopamine and endorphin. Interestingly, the author sets out a model for addiction based upon the body’s reaction to stress. Simply put, because of our natural stress reactions, when we “stress out” or otherwise find ourselves in a difficult situation, dopamine and endorphin are produced. Essentially, we receive a little high (reduced pain, clarity of mind, and courage to face the issue at hand).

However, like all artificial highs, these rates eventually fall. Feeling depressed and unmotivated, we unconsciously seek and embrace the next stressful situation in our lives. In essence, stress becomes our drug and because we live in a chaotic world not meant for our hunter gatherer bodies, our drug is abundantly available. The implications of that really make you think.

[Gwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book I've read, so far, on addiction.