Most would agree that knowledge does not equal wisdom. Wisdom is proven through behavior, while knowledge is purely intellectual. In the context of addiction, use despite negative consequences is the standard, and while we understand these consequences are less than desirable, we often succumb to the behaviors that facilitate them.

To truly get a handle on addictive behaviors, we must address the nature of an individual’s consciousness - the often self-limiting belief systems which translate into the negative feedback loop of thoughts and emotions that predicate any behavior.

Exploring the totality of the self and then applying this understanding is the essence of most recovery frameworks, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Historically, our grasp of addiction has been extremely limited, with the recovery rate being virtually 0% before the advent of AA.

For those afflicted by the disease of addiction, it may be obvious that we are physically and mentally distraught. But, as Dr. Carl Jung eluded to, traditional science had not been helpful in remedying this and suggested that answers lay beyond ordinary human experience, in the realm of spirituality. This spiritual path to recovery is what inspired the 12 steps of AA, after Bill W. (AA co-founder) consulted with Jung on his experience with alcoholics.

Our focus at Bluebonnet relies on prompting shifts in consciousness - are we in a state of fear, desire, guilt? Or are we coming from a higher place of love, joy, or ineffability? Via these shifts, spiritual experiences can certainly be had and are, in fact, common.

That said, this is not a theological or philosophical program. It is still very tactical, tangible, and “scientific” - we form hypotheses for the individual, test them, analyze results, and revisit the hypothesis when proven false to determine which controls and variables need to coalesce to support these shifts in order to affect long-term behavior change.

From there, a desirable lifestyle is born, and in running these experiments in consciousness within a safe and sober environment, the indubitable change can take firm hold; in finding favorable results we can help people realize a life they're truly excited to wake up to each morning.