“At the bottom of every alcoholic bottle is the lesson that nothing in it will ever be enough.”
— Caroline Knapp
Dissolving the Illusion of “The Addict”
Addiction to substances such as alcohol and drugs is one of the most pervasive challenges facing individuals, families, and societies. These substances alter our mental and physical states, providing temporary relief or pleasure but often leading to cycles of dependency, harm, and despair. The mind, body, and spirit are intricately connected in addiction, and the toll on one is inevitably felt across all dimensions of our being—body, mind, soul, and spirit. Traditional recovery approaches often frame addiction as a disease, a moral failing, or a set of behaviors to be controlled, focusing on the external manifestations of substance abuse rather than its deeper roots.
Nondual Recovery offers a different perspective. At its core, NR understands addiction as a form of separation from one’s true nature. Substances become substitutes for the wholeness we unconsciously know we lack. This separation fuels the compulsive drive to seek relief or transcendence through external means. NR does not dismiss the physiological or psychological aspects of addiction but emphasizes that healing arises when we dissolve the illusion of duality between “self” and “addiction.” Instead of fighting against cravings or labeling ourselves as addicts, PIERs (Persons Engaged in Evolving Recovery) begin to see that what we truly crave is the inherent peace and completeness of our being. We do not generally introduce ourselves in meetings as “I’m an alcoholic” or “I’m an addict.” (We sometimes say, “I’m a person in active recovery.”)
From whisky to heroin, marijuana to cocaine, each substance offers a unique window into how we attempt to escape discomfort or seek fulfillment outside ourselves For example, alcohol often reflects a longing for freedom, spontaneity, or uninhibited expression; marijuana suggests alienation from ease and the natural lightness of being; cocaine reflects disconnection from natural vitality and inner power; opioids indicate a deep alienation from inner safety and love; hallucinogens (when misused) may reflect a longing for transcendence and mystery but also a fear of engaging fully with embodied existence. Know what you are truly seeking, and you can stop searching for it in the wrong places. By seeing through the illusion of separation, you return to wholeness, discovering that what you once chased was never missing—it was simply waiting to be recognized.
“Let go and be whole.”
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Addiction to Alcohol
Alcohol is perhaps the most socially accepted and widely consumed addictive substance. For many, it symbolizes celebration, relaxation, or social connection, seamlessly woven into the fabric of everyday life. Yet alcohol has a dark side that often goes unacknowledged—its ability to create physiological dependence, psychological craving, and emotional numbness, making it one of the most insidious addictions. While some drink moderately, others find themselves unable to stop once they start, trapped in a cycle of excess and regret. Traditional recovery models often frame alcoholism as a disease, encouraging individuals to adopt the identity of an “alcoholic” and embrace lifelong abstinence as the only solution. While this path has helped many, it also reinforces a rigid self-concept that can make recovery feel like an endless battle against a permanent enemy.
From the perspective of Nondual Recovery, the powerlessness experienced in alcohol addiction is rooted in identification with the “drinker.” This identity forms as a coping mechanism, a way to manage stress, loneliness, or unmet emotional needs. NR invites us to observe the craving for alcohol without judgment, shifting from the struggle of “self vs. substance” to a deeper inquiry into the nature of desire itself. Instead of simply resisting the urge to drink, we can gently ask: “Who is it that craves?” By resting in this question, we begin to see that the “drinker” is not who we truly are. Craving arises within us, but it does not define us—it is merely a passing sensation, not a fixed reality.
Alcohol, in its effects, often dissolves the rigid controlling ego, providing a shortcut to temporary ease, inhibition, or a release from self-judgment. In this sense, drinking can be seen as an unconscious attempt to transcend ego and loosen the grip of the superego (as Freudians might describe it). NR reframes this impulse, recognizing that the drive to move beyond the constraints of the small self is not an addiction—it is a natural part of psychological and spiritual growth. But while alcohol provides a fleeting dissolution of control, lasting freedom is found in presence and awareness, not external substances.
For those struggling with alcohol dependence, medical and therapeutic support are invaluable tools. Pharmaceuticals can ease withdrawal symptoms, and detox centers exist to help individuals safely transition into sobriety without unnecessary suffering. NR does not deny the physical realities of alcohol addiction, nor does it insist that one must rely on sheer willpower alone. Compassionate care, combined with deep self-inquiry, creates a foundation for recovery that is both practical and profound—one that does not simply remove alcohol but replaces it with a deeper experience of freedom, connection, and inner peace.
“Ditch the drink, discover your destiny.”
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Addiction to Nicotine
Nicotine addiction, whether through smoking, vaping, or other forms, is one of the most physically and psychologically gripping dependencies due to its rapid impact on the brain’s reward system. Smokers often describe their habit as both a comfort and a burden, an immediate relief that quickly becomes a source of long-term harm. The social and health consequences of smoking are profound—secondhand smoke exposure affects loved ones, while smoking itself is a leading cause of lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness. Many smokers also experience premature aging, reduced lung capacity, and chronic coughing, diminishing their overall quality of life. Despite knowing these risks, many feel powerless or enslaved to the relentless cycle of nicotine cravings, reinforcing a deep sense of dependency.
Traditional approaches to quitting nicotine focus on substitution, such as nicotine patches, gum, or prescription medications, alongside willpower-based strategies to break the habit. While these methods can help, Nondual Recovery approaches nicotine addiction at its root—by dissolving identification with the “smoker.” This identity is tied to rituals—the hand-to-mouth action, the deep inhale, the social bonding, or the temporary sense of calm. NR encourages us to bring mindfulness to the act of smoking, rather than mindlessly reinforcing it. Instead of quitting through brute force, we bring gentle awareness to each puff, observing the sensations, thoughts, and emotions that arise. This process often reveals that smoking is less about nicotine and more about seeking comfort, distraction, or escape.
Through nondual awareness, we begin to see that nicotine addiction reflects a misplaced desire for spiritual fullness or personal fulfillment. Smoking, in a way, mimics the yearning to dissolve into something greater—a longing to quiet the mind, ease tension, and momentarily step outside the self. However, this relief is illusory and fleeting, keeping one trapped in an endless loop of craving and temporary satisfaction. Recognizing this, NR allows us to reclaim the fullness we seek not through external habits but through aligning with our inherent wholeness. Quitting smoking then becomes an organic process of integration rather than an act of deprivation. Alongside mindfulness practices, practical steps such as using nicotine gum, removing triggers, and replacing smoking rituals with breathing exercises or meditation can support the transition. By shifting our perspective and using the tools of awareness and presence, we can move from enslavement to freedom—not just from nicotine, but from the deeper illusions of separation that sustain addiction.
“Breathe in awareness, exhale attachment.”
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Addiction to Opioids
The opioid crisis has become a global epidemic, worsened by the rise of fentanyl, an extremely potent and deadly substance often mixed into street drugs. While some people take prescription opioids responsibly for pain management, many fall into misuse and dependency, seeking escape rather than healing. Opioids provide temporary relief from pain but often lead to cycles of addiction, reinforcing both physical dependence and emotional avoidance. Traditional recovery methods emphasize detox, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment, often framing opioid addiction as a lifelong disease. While these approaches can help, they risk reinforcing powerlessness rather than transformation.
Nondual Recovery offers a compassionate alternative, recognizing that opioids appeal not just because they numb pain, but because they create a fleeting sense of peace. However, this peace is external and conditional, reinforcing the duality between the one suffering and the substance providing relief. NR teaches that instead of fearing or resisting pain, we can turn toward it with curiosity and compassion, seeing that pain itself is not the enemy—it is simply an experience arising within awareness.
From a nondual perspective, true peace is already present—it does not need to be sought through substances. Opioid addiction mirrors the deeper human longing to dissolve struggle, to let go, to find wholeness. But where opioids provide a temporary and destructive shortcut, NR reveals that the peace we seek was never missing—it has always been part of our true nature. Pain and pleasure coexist, neither needing to be clung to nor escaped from. Healing is not about rejecting suffering but transforming our relationship to it, allowing discomfort to be held in presence rather than avoided through addiction.
NR affirms that overcoming opioid dependence requires both practical and spiritual support. Medical detox, professional counseling, and harm reduction strategies provide stability, but true healing comes when we stop seeing pain as an enemy and addiction as an identity. By shifting awareness, those in recovery can see that what they have been chasing through opioids—peace, freedom, and relief—was never outside them to begin with.
“Turn toward the pain, find your wholeness.”
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Addiction to Stimulants
Stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines appeal to our desire for energy, focus, and euphoria, often leading users into cycles of intense highs and devastating crashes. Methamphetamine addiction, in particular, has become a serious and growing crisis, devastating individuals and communities. These substances are commonly used to enhance productivity, increase motivation, or escape feelings of emptiness or inadequacy. However, their short-term benefits come at a high cost, leading to physical depletion, psychological instability, and emotional burnout. Traditional recovery models focus on stabilizing these cycles and addressing the underlying psychological drivers, such as low self-worth or depression.
NR approaches stimulant addiction by examining the root of the desire for stimulation. Often, this craving arises from a sense of insufficiency—the belief that we must achieve, perform, or be “more” to be worthy. For some, stimulant use masks underlying depression or an inability to access joy in existence. NR helps us see that our worth is not tied to productivity, and our capacity for joy is innate rather than dependent on external substances. When the illusion of separation is unmasked, we encounter the peace and serenity of being itself, rather than constantly seeking external validation.
Bliss-seeking through stimulants may also represent an unconscious attempt to access the deep states of joy and ecstasy reported by mystics. Many spiritual traditions describe a natural bliss inherent in existence, sometimes called Kundalini energy, divine rapture, or the simple joy of being. The stimulant user may unknowingly be trying to tap into this ecstatic dimension of reality—not out of a need for self-esteem, but from a longing to experience the profound vibrancy of life itself. However, true bliss is not found in fleeting chemical surges, but in dissolving the illusion of separation. NR guides us to recognize that the ecstasy we seek is already present within us, waiting to be uncovered through awareness, breath, movement, and self-inquiry rather than external substances.
Abstinence from all stimulants has helped many addicts to recover. As well, harm reduction strategies can ease the transition toward recovery. Maintaining hydration, regulating sleep patterns, using supplements to restore dopamine balance, and seeking emotional support can help lessen withdrawal symptoms and stabilize well-being. If abstinence feels overwhelming, gradual reduction under medical supervision is a safer path than abrupt cessation. Grounding practices, such as mindfulness, breathwork, and body-centered awareness, help reconnect individuals with natural sources of energy and vitality. By shifting our approach from chasing stimulation to resting in presence, we can experience the profound aliveness that stimulants falsely promise but never truly provide.
“Come to our NRG, discover your energy.”
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Addiction to Cannabis
Cannabis is often perceived as a harmless or even beneficial substance. For some, it serves as a tool for relaxation, creativity, or pain relief. However, habitual use can lead to dependence, decreased motivation, and emotional avoidance. Traditional approaches to marijuana addiction often focus on moderation or abstinence, emphasizing the negative impacts of overuse.
NR takes a different view, recognizing that the appeal of cannabis lies in its ability to alter consciousness and provide a sense of ease. Rather than demonizing the substance, NR encourages us to explore the underlying reasons for its use. “What am I seeking to escape or enhance?” By observing the desire for cannabis without judgment, we can begin to disentangle ourselves from the belief that we need it to feel whole.
Through nondual awareness, we discover that the relaxation and ease cannabis provides are reflections of qualities already within us. The substance is not the source of these feelings but a temporary catalyst. Sometimes, marijuana produces a sense of goofiness that brings humor and an appreciation for absurdity. This too can expose dimensions of reality that may be missing in one’s everyday life. As we deepen our presence, we find that we no longer need cannabis to access these states; rather, we can integrate these qualities into our experience naturally and sustainably.
“Ease is within you, not outside you.”
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Hallucinogens as Teachers
It is important to acknowledge that not all substance use is rooted in addiction or escapism. Throughout history, many cultures have used psychoactive substances in sacred or spiritual contexts, not for compulsive consumption, but for transcendent insight and healing. Shamanic traditions in the Americas, for instance, have long used peyote and Ayahuasca in ritual ceremonies to facilitate deep communion with the divine. These substances, when taken with intention, guidance, and respect, are believed to open doorways to expanded states of consciousness, self-awareness, and healing. Similarly, Timothy Leary’s experiments with LSD were rooted in the idea that psychedelics could facilitate spiritual awakening and psychological breakthroughs.
However, not all drug-induced experiences are enlightening or safe. Hallucinogens can mimic spiritual realizations, but they can also produce terrifying, disorienting, or even psychotic states, leaving individuals feeling unmoored rather than enlightened. Some users experience ego dissolution, but without a stable framework for integrating such an experience, the insights gained may be fleeting or even destructive. NR recognizes that temporary peak experiences, whether from LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, or DMT, are not inherently transformative unless they become integrated into daily life. True awakening is not about chasing altered states but about stabilizing awareness in a way that does not depend on chemicals.
Because the mind is a delicate instrument, NR encourages deep discernment when approaching mind-altering substances. For those considering voyages into altered consciousness, it is crucial to seek guidance, ensure a safe setting, and—where appropriate—consult with medical professionals. Using psychedelics recklessly or without proper integration can lead to psychological distress, delusions, or a false sense of spiritual attainment. Furthermore, for those with histories of addiction, experimenting with psychoactive substances can quickly become another form of avoidance rather than a path to true self-realization.
NR teaches us that the longing to dissolve into bliss, silence, or power through a chemical substance is a reflection of a deeper spiritual yearning—but the ultimate freedom we seek is not in a bottle, a pill, or a plant. By dissolving the illusion of separation and turning inward with compassion and awareness, we uncover the true source of peace, vitality, and joy. As we experience the true source of serenity and energy, some of us will experience these understandings as spiritual and some will see them as psychological and philosophical; these interpretations and others are all welcome in NR. As we cultivate presence and integrate our experiences, the grip of addiction loosens, revealing the freedom and harmony that have always been our birthright.
“Sacred or profane, every path teaches.”
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