NARM Training Institute

In this webinar, Larry and Sherri discuss the integration of NARM with addiction treatment, referred to as NARM-AC. They highlight the importance of understanding the difference between feeling anger and acting out anger, emphasizing that anger is a vital emotion that needs to be listened to. They delve into how addictions often involve anger turned against the self or acted out on others and explore the concept of healthy protest versus resentment in recovery. NARM-AC integrates elements of the social model of addiction treatment, such as 12-step programs, with a deeper understanding of what drives addictive behaviors, focusing on both external and internal resources for recovery.

The discussion further elaborates on how NARM-AC differs from traditional addiction treatment by addressing the underlying emotions that drive addiction, not just the symptoms. They explain that addictions can be strategies to access desired emotional states or to avoid unwanted ones, and that a key part of treatment involves developing internal resources like emotional and autonomic regulation. Shame is also discussed as a significant factor in addiction treatment, and they advocate for a non-shaming approach that encourages clients to seek help more readily. The webinar explores the concept of agency in recovery, challenging the traditional view of addiction as solely a disease, and emphasizes the importance of addressing the emotional components of relapse and recovery.