EP 51: The Unconscious Root of Addiction with Steve Ozanich

Steve Ozanich discovered personal healing through Dr John Sarno’s work and has dedicated his life to helping others in the same way. He is an author and teacher specializing in TMS or MindBody Syndrome. As a result of Annie’s own personal healing through Dr John Sarno’s work, she met Steve during the initial phase of her research into what is now the This Naked Mind method. On this episode, Steve and Annie discuss the MindBody Syndrome in great detail, outlining how our pains and addictions are often a result of our unconscious mind.
Episode Links:
Steve’s Website - www.steveozanic...
Welcome
Today I am honored to have Steve Ozanich with me to discuss the root of addiction. Steve is who I first connected with after reading Dr. Sarno's book "Healing Back Pain" and he helped start my research that led to writing "This Naked Mind".
The Mind Body Syndrome
People who are watching need to understand that TMS which Dr. Sarno discovered, the mind-body syndrome, it's equivalent to addiction. It the same, there's no difference between the two. When you see the bigger picture. Maybe some people won't see it yet, but those of us that have been through the belly of the whale, been spit out on the other side, you can see it; pain and disease and addiction and obsession. They're all the same thing. They're coping mechanisms for deep emotional pain.
Dr. Sarno
What this great doctor discovered, was that all of these things that they're labeling as body problems and these diseases and pains, were actually coming from mind. This is also the root of addiction. They're unconscious effects of unexpressed resentment and fear and anger, and all these powerful emotional processes that we are completely unaware of. We don't even know they're existing because they're unconscious. Like you just mentioned that word, they're unconscious. A lot of people say, "I don't believe that. I feel my anger, I feel this and that." Well, it's what you can't feel, that's the problem.
The Shadow
What Carl Jung called the shadow; the shadow side of us, the dark, hidden side of us. You are not aware of it because you've disowned it from your conscious awareness. You're not aware of it. You can look all you want, you won't find it. So, it's there. He made this nexus; this modern doctor, between what's happening in our physical body that we're calling ulcers and skin problems and back pain and rotator cuff tears, and meniscal tears; all of these terms. It is not coming from there. The brain is actually just using those changes in the body to make you think that that's the cause of it, but it's really an emotional process.
The Root of Addiction
The root of addiction is unconscious. If you're drinking too much and you're doing drugs and you have severe disease or pain syndrome, you are not being true to yourself. You've got to take a deeper look, there's something going on within the unconscious mind, which is the shadow. Carl Jung made that great statement, "There is another, within us, whom we do not know." That changed my life and that's a very powerful statement. So, it switches back and forth between drinking ... People drink heavy to kill physical pain sometimes, but what they're really doing is killing the emotional pain. They're numbing it, which eases the physical pain. And then, vice versa, I work with a lot of people where it switches back and forth and Deepak Chopra said, it all comes down to a spiritual yearning. There's something we're seeing deep within us, and I think that's love. It's love.
Keep Listening
To learn more about the root of addiction and Steve Ozanich's work listen to the complete podcast.

[@KM-wv2og]

Annie your videos about over-coming addiction are, in my opinion, the best on the internet! and this interview is the absolute topper.... I am SOOO grateful to have found this video amongst the billions available on KZbin... what a gift!!! A life saving gift.

[@ThisNakedMind]

Thank you!

[@traceyhordern222]

Annie, you are such a lovely, open person. Add to that the vast amount of knowledge you have accumulated & now pass on, you are indeed helping people. But, while your shared knowledge is key, it's your honest, expressed emotions that really cut through. The opposite of addiction, is not what we think it is, it is indeed connection. A wise woman told me that years ago, it's good to hear it again.

[@ThisNakedMind]

Oh Tracey, you are so kind! Thank you so much for this message!

[@jennyhayes6405]

It was Deepak Chopra in 'The Way of the Wizard' who said 'you are the world, when you transform yourself, you transform the world'

[@nyeeyah]

Thank you for your transparency and the hope that you are providing!!! You told my story to the "T". I now have more insight into why I do what I consciously don't wish to do. I contacted Steve as soon as the video was over and scheduled a consultation.

[@ThisNakedMind]

Hope it brings you the healing you seek!

[@rizwanaali3318]

Where is he based?

[@dr.lauragrace9446]

Annie, thank you for sharing so much transforming wisdom about healing addiction. Your depth of understanding and compassionate heart shine through your videos and books. As a Jungian therapist and spiritual advisor, I found Ozanich interesting. Although I agree that the underlying need of all pain--physical and emotional--is a cry for love, in this interview he glosses over how to overcomes self-hatred with several spiritual quotes. But I thank you for interviewing people from all spectrums, keep up the amazing work!

[@ThisNakedMind]

Maybe I can have him back some time to dive in a bit more on those subjects!

[@ConnecttoSoul]

Thank you for your ongoing wisdom, motivation and enlightenment to guide my venture to becoming ever more consciously mindful coupled with spiritually connected.

[@ThisNakedMind]

So glad I'm connecting with you!

[@jakebohannan990]

Very thought provoking and inspiring episode!

[@jimcain9031]

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

[@ThisNakedMind]

So true!

[@caprilover6391]

Thank you Annie. I love Steve and his and your message. I've watched this video a few times and I get more out of it each time.

[@ThisNakedMind]

Wonderful!

[@tysonbundtrock8821]

You guys are my heroes, Annie I have been sober for 9 months now and your book was so helpful, I recently read the big book of AA and it is so interesting comparing the two takes on alcoholism, the are more similarities than differences, I do feel that your book is more spot on in details the cultural role as well as the unconscious minds. AA could actually benefit from reading your book haha! They are right about the spiritual aspect which seems necessary to overcome addiction in general. Thanks so so much. Your book is helping my whole family!

[@ThisNakedMind]

I'm so happy the book is helping! We can all learn so much from others!

[@tysonbundtrock8821]

Thanks for the response Annie, I am currently reading Drinking, a love story by Caroline Knapp which I'm guessing you have read. What an amazingly insightful book! I was shocked to see that she passed from lung cancer not long after writing the book. I wonder about the connection with Steve o s work and the chance that cancer became the new fear and obsession for her brain to attach in the absence of alcohol. It makes me so sad. I feel that your and Steve's work compliment each other so well. I read your books separately, not realizing you two knew eachother and that Steve had helped you so much in the early days. It's just mind blowing and I am so grateful to be amidst the forefront of these groundbreaking insights. Thanks again!

[@littlegirl3263]

This has been extremely enlightening. Thank you again Annie!

[@ThisNakedMind]

So welcome!

[@formyeve]

I applied the principles of Dr Sarno's work to cure my chronic back pain and later my plantar fasciitis. I never made the connection that my depression and addictive behaviors could also be facades as well.

[@ThisNakedMind]

His work is so important!

[@pannitalmadge7464]

Beautiful work you two

[@ThisNakedMind]

Thank you so much 😀

[@versacecoffins789]

Thank you so much!

[@ciaracunnane3779]

Amazing insight!

[@rollandjoeseph]

So, to cut to the chase, what book of Dr Sarno's is recommended to read?

[@ThisNakedMind]

We recommend Healing Back Pain.

[@rodb66]

Eckard Tolls too. I'm not fall for the New Age stuff again.

[@victoriaoshea4865]

Eckhart Tolles' book, The Power of Now is profound. Putting a label on it is cutting yourself off from knowledge

[@ThisNakedMind]

Such an amazing author!

[@rollandjoeseph]

Eckhardt Tolle's The Power of Now is to me enlightening!

[@rodb66]

@@rollandjoeseph My previous comments were four years ago and I have evolved since then. I'm currently on a spiritual journey and I've been reading a lot of spiritual books including Eckard Tolle's The Power of Now.

[@rollandjoeseph]

@@rodb66I apologize for the late response..im happy to here it, all the best to you in your journey✌️

[@rodb66]

I was really enjoying this until he quoted Deepek Chorpra.

[@jonm3388]

Dr John Sarno doesn't qoute Deepak or any other woo. The subconscious and unconcious directly affect the body. The brain can cause virtually any symptom in the body as a distraction from unconcious emotions. I have cured a host of chronic issues of 14years using Dr Sarnos methods. And Steve Ozanichs book the great pain deception is the bible on all this crap. I strongly recommend Dr sarnos book the mind body prescription and steve ozanichs the great pain deception.

[@rodb66]

@@jonm3388 Man, I have had some spiritual growth since I made these comments. I will certainly check out the books you mentioned. Which one do you recommend I read first?

[@jonm3388]

@@rodb66 Happy to hear that 🙏. Good vibes your way )))

[@ThisNakedMind]

I think we can gain value and insight from all sources!