The positive psychological approach helps to capitalize on strengths rather than be shackled by weaknesses under the premise that “Addiction is a disease of the brain- a curable disease. You are a person needing healing, not an addict doomed to a lifetime of recovery”. The approach is utilized with the Biopsychosocial Model. That recovery is linked to the biological, psychological, and social aspects of a person’s life & how those may need to change to enable recovery.
The positive psychological approach utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify faulty self-defeating messages & replaces with positive messages & teach strategies that help regulate emotions and develop the thought processes that will override dysfunctional behaviors of your past.
The objective is to be happy and content with life, but happiness is a choice. The goal is to promote living a flourishing life that is meaningful and which you function well (psychologically & socially) and feel good (experience positive emotions). A flourishing life is not without hardship or pain but incorporates the perspective that good outweighs the bad.
According to Martin E.P. Seligman 5 areas crucial to a good life (Flourishing) are:
- Positive Emotions
- Engagement
- Relationships
- Meaning
- Accomplishment
Positive Psychology focuses on the 10 Principles of Recovery including:
- Accountability
- Purpose
- Hope
- Gratitude
- Spirituality
- Identity
- Courage
- Forgiveness
- Service
- Integrity
Sources
10 Principles of Recovery |Barrus & Ozawa-Kirk
