This episode is about the biology of the endorphin system (the body's natural opioid system) and how early life dysregulation of this system becomes a major risk factor for later life

Endorphins – which are the love and attachment chemicals – need to be considered if we want to start feeling better once an opioid dependency is ended and those outside opioids (e.g. heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc. ) are removed and taken out of the picture

We'll be talking about the opioid apparatus (or endogenously, the endorphin apparatus.. which is what our natural system is called) – one of the most pivotal motivating and life organizing systems in the mammalian body.

And just like attachment is the drive for physical and emotional closeness with other people, and attachment is directly wrapped up with endorphin activity, I’m proposing here that opioid addictions are all born out of deep attachment wounds, and that wound is exactly what the opioid is treating.

When I'm working 1 on 1 with a client who is recovering from an opioid addiction or who is tapering off a long-acting opioid replacement medication, I am making recommendations and providing guidance while considering how the endorphin system is functioning at the current moment.

All guidance and recommendations need to consider the individual and their unique situation, Very little guidance she be broadly applied to everyone.

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