Addiction Recovery Program Newport Beach

Defining Addiction

Addiction is surrounded by many confusing definitions, stigmas, and treatment approaches. Yet at its core, there is a clear common ground—a center point that captures the essence of what addiction truly is. Addiction manifests in any behavior or substance that a person craves, uses for temporary relief or pleasure, but continues despite negative consequences, and struggles to give up.

When most people hear “addiction,” they think primarily of drugs or alcohol. However, addiction is better understood as a rigid, compulsive relationship with any behavior or substance used to escape or manage difficult emotions. This can be as overt as chemical addiction—alcohol or drugs—but also behavioral addictions like shopping, sex, food, pornography, video games, or excessive exercise. More subtle forms include addiction to work, success, money, technology, or even the mind itself. Yes, it’s possible to become so lost in thought that your emotional life and relationships suffer.

One thing is always true: addiction begins in pain and ends in pain.

Over time, the brain’s reward circuitry becomes hijacked. The self that once chose the behavior to cope becomes fragmented or diminished. Lies, secrecy, and shame fuel an almost cult-like bond between the addicted person and their chosen substance or behavior. Denial runs thick—everyone around can see the truth except the person caught in addiction. The brain protects the addiction by keeping reality at bay, creating deep frustration and heartbreak for loved ones.

This is why surrender—whether to a program, sponsor, or therapist—is often the critical first step in recovery. When addicted, your brain is no longer fully your own, so you need to rely on others to begin reclaiming it.

Understanding Addiction

Addiction is not about the object or behavior itself—it’s about the person’s relationship to it. The real challenge lies in tolerating difficult feelings without escaping. Many struggling with addiction are constitutionally sensitive people who find that overwhelming emotions easily override normal coping. To survive these feelings, they reach outside themselves for relief.

The pain at the root of addiction often stems from trauma or relational failures. Sometimes these wounds trace back to childhood, other times to a series of emotionally shattering life events left unprocessed. Importantly, the trauma need not be objectively severe—it’s the subjective experience and the moment of disconnect from oneself that matters.

At its core, addiction is relational trauma. Those suffering become isolated—from themselves, others, and reality—and the addiction becomes a desperate adaptation to this pain.

Healing begins by learning to move into the pain, to hold it instead of fleeing. This deep work requires a therapeutic relationship—a safe, consistent connection where denial, rationalization, blame, and isolation can begin to give way.

The Healing Journey: Connection

Recovery involves reconnecting—to a therapist or a recovery community first, and eventually, to oneself. Learning to be at home in your own mind and feelings again is foundational. Psychotherapy and recovery programs like AA or SMART Recovery work hand in hand: therapy attends to deeper wounds, processes trauma, and builds emotional skills; recovery programs provide structure, honesty, and community.

Together, they offer the framework and support to restore sanity and build a meaningful life beyond addiction.

Sobriety and Recovery

Those in long-term sobriety often describe themselves as “in recovery.” Recovery means finding something lost—the true self that addiction obscured. We have helped many on this unique journey, whether starting by confronting patterns or as part of after-care following detox or early sobriety.

Each path is unique, and we tailor our approach accordingly—helping you find your willingness to change and supporting you in reclaiming your life.

A Message of Hope

We welcome questions from anyone impacted by addiction—whether you’re struggling yourself or are a loved one seeking understanding. Psychotherapy and support groups like ALANON can be invaluable resources. Healing and lasting wellness are possible.

Carl Jung once wrote to Bill Wilson, founder of AA:
“Alcohol is Latin for ‘spiritus,’ and you use the same word for the highest spiritual experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula, therefore, is: spiritus contra spiritum.”

The opposite of addiction is connection.

We want to connect with you—helping you reconnect to yourself and others in a new, healthier way. Healing begins with a single call or text.