The Power of Connection: Understanding Attachment in Recovery

In this episode of The TPAS Drop, we share an excerpt from a recent TPAS workshop featuring Doug Smith, developer of the Emotional Attachment Behavioral Therapy (EABT) model. With more than 21 years of experience in behavioral health, Doug explains how attachment and connection are at the heart of recovery—and why alumni programs are so powerful when they serve as a “secure base” for people rebuilding their lives.He breaks down the four attachment styles—secure, anxious, avoidant, and fearful—and offers insight into how these patterns show up in recovery work. Whether you’re supporting alumni, leading a team, or exploring your own growth, this conversation will help you see why connection is the foundation of lasting change.Take the free EABT Attachment Quiz mentioned in the episode here!