Catholic conference addresses healing from addiction through attachment science
A recent exploration of attachment science through a Catholic lens highlights the impact of early relationships on addiction and healing. The narrative centers on “Frank,” a fictional Catholic man in his 20s, who grew up without consistent emotional support from his parents. This lack of secure attachment led him to seek comfort in alcohol, eventually resulting in addiction.
Attachment research over the past fifty years shows that all mammals, including humans, have an innate need for close relationships with trusted figures during times of distress. According to the article, “An instinctive longing for a close relationship is not merely a wish or a passing fancy, and it is most definitely not a weakness. It is a basic and natural need.”
The piece explains how secure attachments provide individuals with both the confidence to explore life and the reassurance of having someone to turn to during difficulties. The concept of the “Circle of Security” illustrates this process: “A challenge arises, the person seeks out a trusted other for support who is generally responsive, the person feels soothed and can return to life as it was before the stress kicked in, yet possibly with greater confidence in the attachment figure and a renewed belief that things will be OK.”
For Frank, however, these supportive relationships were absent. Instead of finding safety in people around him or God, he turned to alcohol as a substitute for genuine connection. The article notes that addiction specialists often say “the opposite of addiction is not sobriety; it’s connection to a real person who really cares,” emphasizing that recovery involves building meaningful interpersonal bonds.
The Diocese of Lincoln promotes adherence to Catholic traditions and encourages members to actively practice their faith through various events and communications (https://www.lincolndiocese.org/). Covering southern Nebraska with 134 parishes and six educational institutions (https://www.lincolndiocese.org/), the diocese offers programs supporting vocations, family life, youth engagement, catechesis, evangelization and charitable activities (https://www.lincolndiocese.org/).
As part of its ongoing outreach efforts (https://www.lincolndiocese.org/), the Diocese will host the John Paul II Healing Center’s “Healing the Whole Person” conference at North American Martyrs Church in Lincoln from April 16-18. Speakers include Dr. Bob Schuchts, Sr. Miriam James Heidland and Bart Schuchts. An additional event called “Day of Equipping” will take place on April 17; both require separate registrations.
More information about these events can be found at jpiihealingcenter.org.
The article concludes by urging readers: “There’s only one way to find out: Seek out and experience these loving relationships firsthand. I sincerely hope that you will.”
