Addiction: Understanding, Treatment Information, & Hope from My Counselilng Site

Understanding Addiction and Getting Help

montage of drink in hand, various illicit drugs and a computer screen to represent the addictions of alocholism, drugs and pornography/internet use. Visual heading for page to provide information and help to those impacted by addictions and their significant others who deal with their partner's addiction.

If you, or someone you care about is dealing with an addiction, you are probably confused and don't know what to do. It's possible to be addicted to almost anything whether a substance, a relationship, or an activity.

It can be frustrating, and difficult to understand as addictions involve distorted thinking and complex behavioral patterns.

One of the first indications that an addiction may be present, is denial that a problem exists coupled with an inability or unwillingness to stop the behavior.

Another common element are the explanations (or rationalizations) that defend the behavior. (i.e., "I only gamble to relieve stress.", or "It's just a couple of beers.")

In clinical terms, addiction is defined as:

"A destructive [and/or compulsive] pattern of use [or preoccupied behavior], leading to significant social, occupational, or medical impairment."¹

Addiction has many negative impacts; both for the person addicted as well as for everyone who is a part of their lives; and its effects, gradually worsens as the addict develops a tolerance level, and their participation in the addictive behavior increases over time.

The unconscious purpose for the compulsive behavior or substance use is to alter one's consciousness, and avoid some intolerable aspect(s) of character.

Usually, an unintended result is dependence for the substance or process. Even if the addict wants to quit, they are unable to stop on their own. To end their involvement, treatment and a support system are often needed.

The underlying source of addiction is intensely debated, as research about the behavior continues. It appears that the origins are as puzzling as the disorder.^2-5

Many factors: genetic predisposition, learned or conditioned behavior, and alteration of brain chemistry all appear to play roles in the cause of an addiction.

While the cause is yet to be fully understood, there are various treatment methods that have been successful , and have an ultimate goal of abstinence. It is a recognition that the addicted person is not able to use the substance or participate in the activity without relapsing into the former addicted state.

The following pages will give you specific information and treatment options:

A consistent theme in the treatments that work is a full acceptance of personal responsibility by the addict for their addiction, and recognition of their inability to stop without help. They also must have a genuine commitment to end their addiction behavior.

Treatment approaches with a high degree of success are those using the 12-step program first developed by Alcoholics Anonymous.^6-7 By following the path of the 12 Steps, an addict begins a process of self examination that is intended to result in a changed set of behavior and thinking patterns.

If the addicted person's commitment is sincere and they choose to engage in "working the steps", they will become aware of the psychological benefit they were receiving from the addiction and learn how to meet this need in an emotionally healthy and productive manner.

Sometimes, those who have engaged in substance abuse for a long time or to a significant degree may need hospital treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms. Counselilng or psychotherapy can be helpful with addiction, but are best only after abstinence has been achieved. Also, there are anti-addiction medications, such as methadone and naltrexone, that are used to help a substance addict achieve sobriety.

What about Interventions?

An intervention is a way to confront and pursuade someone to seek treatment. These can range from a straigforward one-on-one conversation with the person, to an organized style of confrontation led by a professional trained in the procedure. For more information and referrals for professionals in your area, visit the Intervention Resource Center.

Here, also, is a Brief Guide that can give you some understanding and guidance. To save the guide to your computer, right-click HERE, and select "save target as" .

You'll need Adobe Reader installed to view the file.

References:

¹ Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, 1994, American Psychiatric Association

² Shaffer, H.; Understanding the means and objects of addiction: Technology, the internet, and gambling, Journal of Gambling Studies, December, 1996, vol 12 4.

³ Berridge, K. & Robinson, T.; Addiction, Annual Review of Psychology 2003, vol. 54, pp. 25-53.

⁴ Nestler, E.; From neurobiology to treatment: progress against addiction, Nature Neuroscience; 2002, vol. 5, pp 1076 – 1079.

⁵ Westwood, C.; Strategies for effective addiction management, Practice Nursing, Aug 2002, Vol. 13, pp 340 – 345.

⁶ Ouimette, P., et al; Twelve-Step and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Substance Abuse: A Comparison of Treatment Effectiveness; Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology; 1997, Vol. 65, No. 2, pp 230-240.

⁷ Fiorentine, R.; After Drug Treatment: Are 12-Step Programs Effective in Maintaining Abstinence?; 1999, The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp 93 – 116.