In today's podcast I meet with Alistair Richardson who is a specialist in the field of addictions and about how to heal addictions of all kinds.

We talk also about some of his experiences at boarding school and how being sent away at age 7 to board contributed to some of his later addictive behaviours.

He shares about how after being sent to the Priory in London at a young age he eventually ended up studying there and qualifying as a addiction specialist.

A fascinating conversation again.

Here are some of the questions that I asked him:

1. I would love for you to share some of your own journey into what drew you into doing the work that you now do. 2. How do you feel addictions link into childhood trauma?

3. Is there a certain protocol for letting go of addictions? If so what is it?

4. How do we break an addiction?

5. Do we need to have a safe space or a community in order to break an addiction?

6. “Some addictive behaviour is more socially acceptable than others. For example, overwork is often seen as a virtue and the person with the addiction to overwork can easily judge others as ‘less committed’ or even less valuable as a human being. Do you have any advice for those trying to understand and change this destructive pattern of addictive behaviour?”

7. “Have you noticed a correlation between boarders and patterns of addiction?”

8. “At the Priory do they get ex BS people with addictions? What sort of addictions do people have? Do staff at the Priory think there is a commonality with these people? Do they tailor their treatment any differently for ex BS people? How do they help these people? Does the addiction treatment work?”

9. “Is it harder for boarding school people to even admit to having an addiction, given that weakness in that culture is almost taboo?”

10. “I wonder if your guest has views on what patterns of addiction are more likely during or after boarding school?”

11. ‘Does an addictive personality, actually exist?’

12. Does it matter how the addiction came about, or how severe it is? Is the measure of concern one that relates to how the addiction disrupts the typical flow of life, or if it bankrupts you or causes major social awkwardness? The measure is dysfunction, maybe? But addiction is often treated as an all or nothing situation; the alcoholic is encouraged to stop drinking not moderate it. Should that be the strategy for all kinds of addiction?

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Alistair specialises in helping people to heal from childhood trauma, co-dependency and addiction and in empowering people to achieve success in their lives.

He is passionate about supporting clients in breaking free from generational trauma. He has worked in some of the world’s most exclusive addiction treatment centres including the Priory in London.

He has been using EFT for over 20 years to enhance the other therapy. He runs transformational Survivors workshops for healing childhood trauma for 11 years so far, and combines this therapy with SET and IEP, inner child work and Matrix Re-imprinting to support deeper healing and change.

He specialises in using Energy based methods such as IEP, SET. He has also been teaching and sharing healing for over 25 years.

His qualifications include an MSc in Addiction Counselling and Psychology, Post induction Therapy,(Pia Mellody’s model from the Meadows for healing and resolving developmental and childhood trauma) EFTMRA Trainer and advanced practitioner, Matrix Re-imprinting and many healing modalities , now focusing on Gaia Eternal Light healing and is a flower essence practitioner.

Alistair’s Contact Details:

Website: http://lifeforcetraumahealing.com/

Email: alistair@lifeforcetraumahealing.com

https://www.facebook.com/LifeForceTraumaHealing/

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An Evolving Man (AEM) Podcast is for men (and women) who want to grow, evolve and want support in learning how to do this.

On a regular basis there will be an interview around men's topics ranging from self-development, relationships, spirituality, archetypes, trauma, boarding school and men's work featuring authors and leaders in this field.

The sense with these interviews is to support men during these times of change. What are the teachings, tools and practices that you can use to help you through these turbulent times?