In a candid and enlightening conversation, David Oshman, a seasoned therapist with a prolific career in rehabilitation, sheds light on his transformative experiences directing and facilitating rehab therapy in diverse settings. From the picturesque islands of Thailand and the vibrant locales of Panama to various locations in the United States, Oshman’s journey offers a unique and invaluable perspective on the pervasive issue of addiction.
Oshman’s approach to rehab therapy is deeply influenced by his extensive work in the Far East, particularly in Thailand. Here, he observed the intricate ways in which individuals grapple with addiction, leading him to a profound realization: addiction is not a malfunction, disease, or the result of childhood trauma or psychological abnormalities. Instead, it is a path forged by the mind, demanding resolution and understanding.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 15.3 million individuals worldwide suffer from drug use disorders. These figures underscore the global nature of addiction, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. Oshman’s insights align with research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which emphasizes the complexity of addiction, highlighting its basis in brain function and behavior.
This path of addiction, as Oshman elucidates, manifests in various forms, from alcohol and drug abuse to behavioral dependencies. This is notably evident in our ubiquitous interactions with electronics. He points to the incessant tapping on cell phones, the inability to remain still or focus, underscoring that the issue transcends the objects of addiction.
“The problem is not with the cell phone, the computer, the drug, or the alcohol,” Oshman emphasizes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration supports this, stating that addiction is not solely related to the substance or behavior itself, but also to the individual’s relationship with it. It is not a question of personality defects or aberrations. The crux of the issue lies deeper.
Oshman posits that the root cause of addiction stems from a lack of understanding of one’s own feelings, of the constant creation and recreation of emotions within oneself. He encourages a shift in perspective, urging individuals to navigate uncomfortable feelings, accept and even embrace them, rather than attempting to repel or fix them. This paradigm shift, he believes, is crucial in rehab therapy, steering away from labeling emotions as ‘bad’ or ‘abnormal.’
“Feeling good and feeling bad is a natural consequence of being fully alive,” Oshman concludes, encapsulating his philosophy on rehab therapy. His journey, spanning continents and cultures, underscores the universality of the addiction experience, and more importantly, the potential for understanding and transformation. David Oshman’s work serves as a poignant reminder of the power of perspective and the importance of a holistic approach to rehab therapy, one that delves beneath the surface to address the true source of addiction.
