Dr. Jason Roop | Center for Trait-Based Transformation
At the Center for Trait-Based Transformation, we believe that deep, lasting change isn’t just about behavior modification or even changing the way we think. It starts deeper than that. It starts with who we are.
For over 80 years, addiction recovery has been understood and guided largely by using a deficiency model approach, which has indeed helped countless individuals find sobriety and community throughout the years. However, in those decades, we’ve also learned a lot about human psychology, neuroscience, and transformation. One of the biggest lessons? When we label parts of ourselves as ‘defective,’ we don’t just reject a behavior—we reject a part of our own identity.
And that creates an internal war we can never win.
The more we focus on eliminating or “fixing” a part of ourselves, the stronger it becomes. We now understand that whatever we focus on, we give energy to. When we constantly fixate on the thing we’re trying to eliminate—whether it’s addiction, anxiety, or self-doubt—it only grows bigger and stronger. This is the self-defeating cycle that traps so many people in relapse, self-sabotage, and shame.
A Holistic Approach: Working With Who You Already Are
The Trait-Based Model takes a fundamentally different, more holistic approach—one that considers the whole person rather than focusing on what’s “wrong” with them. Instead of labeling parts of ourselves as defective, we acknowledge everything—the positive expressions of our traits and their shadow expressions.
Rather than rejecting, suppressing, or fighting against certain parts of ourselves, we:
- Accept – We recognize and validate every part of ourselves, without shame.
- Heal – We address the wounds that fuel negative expressions of our traits.
- Integrate – We bring our strengths and shadows into alignment.
- Move forward – We learn to express our traits in ways that serve us, rather than sabotage us.
This approach mitigates shame and stigma, replacing them with dignity, self-respect, hope, and purpose for the recovery journey.
The Challenge of Balance: GRIT vs. GRACE
As we grow and develop, we tend to get lost down one of two paths—either GRIT or GRACE—using too much of our traits without BALANCE.
We did this in addiction. We went all out, excessive in everything. We threw ourselves into our addictions with full intensity. But this wasn’t because we were bad people or lacked control—it was because we have dynamic leadership traits that, when left unacknowledged, can run wild.
- When GRIT runs unchecked, we can become stubborn, forceful, and reckless.
- When GRACE is overemphasized, we might become overly accommodating, passive, or lack boundaries.
But the good news? There is always a way back to BALANCE—and it starts with the trait of Self-Awareness.
Through just a moment of mindfulness or meditation, we can check in with ourselves, understand our emotions, and recognize where we are on the Tree of Traits. By pausing, reflecting, and intentionally adjusting, we find our way back to the path of BALANCE through the trait of self-awareness.
Beyond Behavior: The Power of Traits
Traits aren’t just about behaviors. They precede behavior. They even precede thoughts. When we work on developing traits, we’re shifting something deeper than habits—we’re reshaping who we are at our core.
And here’s the most liberating part: working with traits allows us to bypass judgment. So often, self-improvement efforts come with a heavy weight of self-criticism: “I should be better.” “I should be stronger.” “Why do I keep failing?” But traits aren’t about what we’re doing wrong. They’re about what’s already within us that we can develop and refine.
Instead of judging, we begin to observe. Instead of shaming, we begin to strengthen.
The Three Pillars of Traits: GRIT, GRACE, and BALANCE
Our model centers around three key sets of traits: GRIT, GRACE, and BALANCE. Each plays a unique role in helping us achieve internal stability and external success.
GRIT: The Engine of Perseverance
GRIT is what keeps us moving forward when challenges arise. It’s the driving force that allows us to push through adversity and remain steadfast in our goals. GRIT traits include:
- Resilience – The ability to bounce back after setbacks.
- Tenacity – The drive to persist even when the odds are against us.
- Determination – The commitment to stay the course, no matter the obstacles.
GRACE: The Power of Connection
GRACE ensures that we move forward not just with strength, but with wisdom, compassion, and alignment with our values. GRACE traits include:
- Empathy – Understanding and connecting with others on a deep level.
- Appreciation – Recognizing and valuing the beauty in people and experiences.
- Motivational – Encouraging and inspiring those around us.
BALANCE: The Key to Sustainable Growth
GRIT and GRACE alone are not enough—we need BALANCE to ensure we don’t burn out or lose ourselves in the process. BALANCE traits keep us centered and aligned, helping us navigate both our inner world and our external circumstances. These traits include:
- Self-Awareness – Knowing and understanding our own patterns, strengths, and blind spots.
- Emotional Intelligence – The ability to manage our emotions and respond effectively to others.
- Authenticity – Living in alignment with our true selves, rather than conforming to external expectations.
- Creativity – The ability to think flexibly, adapt, and see new possibilities for growth.
When we integrate these three pillars—GRIT, GRACE, and BALANCE—we don’t just modify our behavior. We transform from the inside out.
The Path to Lasting Transformation
Personal growth isn’t about forcing change through discipline alone. It’s about discovering and developing the traits that already exist within us. And the best part? Unlike external tools, traits never leave us.
One of the biggest gaps in addiction treatment today is aftercare. People leave behind the support structures they leaned upon, and without them, they often struggle to maintain progress.
The good news? You take your traits with you, wherever you go.
When someone in addiction recovery strengthens their GRIT, GRACE, and BALANCE traits, they’re no longer dependent on external support systems to maintain their progress. They carry their strength with them. This is the missing link in traditional treatment: aftercare that isn’t about staying within a structure, but about carrying an internal foundation of strength wherever life takes you.
This is why traits lead to lasting transformation. Not because they change us—but because they reveal who we truly are.
Are you ready to start from strength?
Let’s walk this path together.