Transforming the Addicted Person’s Counterfeit Quest for Wholeness Through Three Stages of Recovery: A Wilber Transpersonal Spectrum of Development Clinical Perspective

Abstract

In this article, we look at how an addicted person can through the therapeutic process replace the addiction “short cut” counterfeit quest for wholeness with an authentic quest for wholeness using Wilber’ transpersonal spectrum of development model by working through different developmental levels during three stages of recovery. The first stage of recovery focuses on abstinence. A second stage of recovery beyond abstinence is called for of embracing and working through the emotional underbelly beneath the addictive process. Eventually, a third phase of recovery can be worked on which entails letting go of the addiction to the separate self and the mind by embracing nondual living. Wilber’s transpersonal model of development is utilized including ten stages, and three overall phases of development including: prepersonal, personal, and transpersonal. Possible pathologies and treatment interventions are reviewed for each level including specific addiction and recovery implications for. Throughout this article, case studies and anecdotal accounts from past clients will be used to better exemplify this process.