Are your core memories impaired? Part 1

Are your core memories impaired? Part 1...

The term "core memories" was made popular by the 2015 movie, "Inside Out". It highlights and creatively displays the impact that certain experiences have on shaping our personalities and future triggers for emotions ranging from anxiety to euphoria. So what does this mean? And how does it apply to recovery?

Substance use unfortunately for some have started as early as 11 years old. High school brings use temptations, college provides usage opportunity and ages 21-25 are a vital mental transition to the real world and the culmination of the minds development. So many of our core memories are instilled in us during those years. How many of those memories involved substance use? Is the experience remembered accurately or... was trauma planted in an impaired developing brain to only rear it's ruthless head later on in life when stress or trauma is prevalent again. 

Recovery offers the freedom for us to unveil the true us again. We have to want that more than we want to escape. Life has to become about engagement of the mind in order to protect our soul. Addiction is a disease of the mind and it's time that in the "10X" era, the investment we need to value is in ourselves.

Personally I'll share a core memory that I'm working to replace and correct. My guess is that many still reading this have also experienced it. I struggled mightily medically as I tried to get sober. From the time I wanted to stop until my last medical detox I estimate I had relapsed roughly 37 times and I had medically detoxed 18 times. Going through withdrawls was very hard on my stomach and I could never count the amount of times I'd splash cold water on my face, begging for God to make it stop, and I'd look up at myself in the mirror. I never recognized myself but I looked like hell and disdain. I'm not there yet but I will achieve replacing that core memory with a moment where I see myself, smile, and probably wink:) 

Have a great week! Check back here for part 2 in this blog series. 

Aaron Perry