You need to know so much less than you think you need to know

Before meeting Mari Paulus and being taught the Beyond Compulsion method, I had learned about Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Meditation, Cold Water Immersion, Nutrition, Exercise, Stoicism, Journaling, and so much more. I underwent comprehensive training to become a Samaritans volunteer where for 2.5 years I spoke to people with the most awful circumstances, trauma, and suicidal ideation. I helped many people on the brink of ending their life think through their choice rationally, weigh up their options, and decide to live another day. I heard one person end their life as I listened to the phone go quiet for 20 minutes.

Why am I bringing all of this up now? Well, when I met Mari Paulus and began learning the Beyond Compulsion method, I thought I knew best. I'd learned so much from a young age and had read 100's of books on self-improvement. But, looking back now I can see just how wrong I was to think I knew better than her.

The Beyond Compulsion method conflicts with most of the stuff I've mentioned above. It is a "how-to" approach to changing neural pathways.

There are no holes in it's logic, but it remains simple and concise.

This may sound very controversial, but I believe those of us, like me, who have gone down the intellectual rabbit hole of seeking more knowledge are likely to need more time to grasp the Beyond Compulsion method fully. It is possible, I have done it. But, there can be so much resistance. The addicted part of the mind (APOTM) will try and use everything you think you know to find a flaw in the logic. I did this. In the first few weeks of working with Mari, I would argue with her on WhatsApp bringing up random things that I'd learned elsewhere like "dopamine".

Looking back, I can see how the APOTM put up a great fight with all kinds of junkie thoughts and unanswerable questions. The APOTM's greatest enemy is simplicity. The APOTM searches for complexity. It wants to confuse you. It wants to get what it wants. Learning about dopamine is a great example of this. Let's think through the logic of the APOTM for a few moments here. The APOTM wants there to be a gap in your understanding because then it can get you to relapse and rationalise it afterwards by saying "I need to learn more".

I once read the Molecule of More by Daniel Z Liebermann. I studied that book well. It is all about dopamine. I even interviewed Daniel himself. I think that podcast is still available to listen to. But, I have taken a huge U-turn in my understanding of addiction since then. I now see why the APOTM would adore learning about dopamine. It is because there is always more to learn. An indefinite amount of possibilities and avenues for the APOTM to explore. And that path is an endless one. It lasts for eternity and ends up in a big messy circle of addiction and misery. Those days are well behind me now. I live a simple life nowadays with clarity and simplicity running through my veins. I have disregarded pretty much everything I once learned prior to the Beyond Compulsion method and I have never been clearer on dealing with the APOTM head on.

If you are still wondering aimlessly in that world of intellectual exploration, I hope you can one day look back on it and see it's futility with a new lens of being.

The Beyond Compulsion Academy is here if you would like a clear guide on overcoming addiction for good.

But, please only join if you are ready to put all your pre-conceived notions on how to deal with addiction behind you and are prepared for a completely fresh start...