To download a printable version of this transcript, click here.
 
 
iQuestions Faculty, Dr. David Eckman 
 
 
Question: 
 
Is there woundedness behind addiction? 
 
Answer: 
 
Often, behind great addiction there is a great wound. Research has 
shown over and over again that when a person is struggling with 
addiction, often as not, there are unaddressed areas of pain in the life.  
 
These commonly come from family background, or in later life it may 
come through a divorce, or it may come through a very stressful job, it 
may come through some traumatic adult experience, or a traumatic 
childhood experience.  
 
If those wounds are not addressed, then the person will have far 
greater difficulty coming to terms with an addiction. That being the 
case, “woundedness,” always should be considered as something 
which is driving addiction. The simple equation is this: pain, plus the 
pleasure of an addictive behavior, equals addiction.  
 
If that pain comes from a long-term wound, “woundedness,” that pain 
should be addressed. It may involve a small group, it may involve 
therapy or counseling, but it is critically important that the wounds of 
life should not be ignored. 
 
To download a printable version of this transcript, click here.