Aikido shares much with the 12-step process of recovering from substance abuse. Both are concerned with issues that have to deal with our inside process rather than the outside events or circumstances in our lives. Both bring the principal of "being here" in the present, as opposed to feeling bad about the past or worrying about the future. Both understand that it is mainly our own character defects that contribute greatly to our unhappiness.

In any dysfunction it is the body that suffers and as a result of that suffering people tend to want to move away from their body as an attempt to numb themselves through a variety of addictions. I see addiction as a dissociative process where the individual wants to leave his body as a way of feeling safe and not feeling his pain. Aikido is a slow process that teaches people to enter their bodies and find strength and safety within the body.

Recovery is an "inside job" and aikido teaches centering, relaxation and integration of uncomfortable feelings. On the mat people discover the joy of being in their own bodies even while dealing with martial experiences that make them feel uncomfortable. Recovery principles such as "going with the flow, being in the present, relaxation under stress, connectedness to self and others, higher power, etiquette, surrender", and many others can all be taught through body experiences. The body becomes the teacher.

As a result the student develops more and more coping skills to deal with uncomfortable feelings and lessens the need to numb or move away from the body. Addiction is an attempt to separate from one's pain. Aikido is the process that helps to integrate and thereby let go of one's pain.