Session 2:
What’s Broken?
*** IMPORTANT NOTE ***
Although we talked about “Growth Plans” in this session, we are no longer using them. Everything you need for this session is on this page.
Jump to a specific section using the timecodes below!
0:00 - Intro, Jim and Tommy's Session 1 Standouts
6:03 - Environmental Roots of Addiction / Adverse Childhood Experiences
11:37 - We are designed for intimacy - recovery is becoming a human being again
12:57 - All addictions temporarily anesthetize the awareness of the empty place / all addiction is self-gratification
18:00 - Jim and Tommy debrief the first video
26:02 - Recovery is the process of learning to trust again (both God and people)
32:15 - Healing heart wounds - our search for significance
34:34 - The addictive brain / the limbic system's survival response system
42:10 - Dangerous emotions our limbic system equates with death
47:08 - Quick review / real wisdom
52:00 - Jim and Tommy debrief the second video and talk about next steps
Listen to the Audio Version: apple || spotify || google || anchor.fm
Take the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Quiz
The CDC developed a 10-question quiz to determine someone’s ACE Score, which is a tally of different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough (or potentially traumatic) childhood.
Take the ACE Quiz and get a better understanding of the potential effects of experiences during childhood.
Questions for Reflection
Read Matthew 22:34-40. Michael said that "recovery is becoming a human being again - going back to how we were designed to function; not hurting ourselves or others." Love for God and love for others are deeply connected.
How have your relationships with people affected your relationship with God, either positively or negatively?
Michael said that the antidote to addiction is identifying our real needs and getting them met appropriately by others. Think about one addictive behavior you struggle with...
What is the underlying need you're trying to meet? How it could be met by another, instead of by you?
We have a deep need to feel significant and important.
Who has made you feel important, and how?
The limbic system equates some emotions with DEATH and avoids them at all costs.
Out of control...
anger → rage
fear → panic
rejection→abandonment
embarrassment→shame
sadness→depression
Which do you fear the most? How do you find yourself avoiding them?
Talk to someone about what you’re learning.
You can start a great conversation with a few simple questions whether they're going through this workshop or not. That conversation could help you internalize the content better, give you a better understanding of your own journey, and strengthen the relationship with the person you're talking to.
(if they also attended the Change Workshop…) What has been the most interesting, impactful, or challenging thing you’ve learned so far?
How have your relationships with people affected your relationship with (or understanding of) God, either positively or negatively?
Do I regularly make you feel important and significant? What’s one way I could do that better?