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Addiction, Addiction Help, Addiction Myths, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Support, Addiction Treatment, Overcoming Addiction, Recovery, Rehab
We’ve heard everyone use the word addiction:
I’m addicted to Netflix.
I can’t get enough of this song; it’s like I’m addicted.
Are you addicted to your smartphone?
I’m addicted to your love.
Our society today loves the idea of the label “addiction.” But the more this label is used, the less of our understanding for the facts of addiction become. There are also many myths that revolves around addiction, but hopefully this post will broaden the understanding of addiction and how serious it really is.
Addiction is a condition that results when a person consumes a substance (for example alcohol or drugs) or participates in an activity (for example sex or gambling) that becomes compulsive and uncontrollable. This compulsion can impede their responsibilities on a day-to-day basis. Responsibilities such as family, work, school, interpersonal relationships, etc. (Psychology Today, 2015)
So, yes, we can be overly consumed by something. But what makes it addiction is when it interferes and controls your life. And it is not just the physical, it also has a deep complexity with emotions.
Lets get a couple of myths out of the way: (Sack, 2013) (HelpGuide, 2015)
- Addiction is a choice: Genetics and environmental factors (such as family life, upbringing and peer influences) are key roles into the onset of addiction. People with any other form of illness do not choose to have it, so why would someone with addiction?
- Addicts are bad and people who need to be punished for their behavior: No. David Sack wrote in his article 5 Myths about Addiction that Undermine Recovery that “good people do bad things, and sick people need treatment, not punishment, to get better.”
- All addicts are the same: Again, no. Every person struggling with addiction has their own story and their own feelings. Putting labels on all addicts does not help them get better.
- Overcoming addiction is only about willpower: Telling anyone with any sort of mental illness this will make them feel shameful, weak, and guilty. Overcoming addiction is about a network of support providing positive feedback.
- Addiction is a disease, which means there’s nothing you can do about it: Addiction does not make anyone a helpless victim. With therapy, medication (possibly, not always), and a positive support network, it can help overcome addiction.
- They have to hit rock bottom before they can get better: Anyone struggling with addiction can get help, no matter where they are in the process. In fact, the earlier the better! Don’t wait until the addict has lost all control before you begin to help.
- Treatment didn’t work the first time, so it won’t work at all: In any form of treatment, there are chances for relapses. It does not mean that you, or the treatment failed.
How to help a loved one if they are struggling with addiction: (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc., 2015)
- Do learn about addiction: There are many different resources out there to help.
- Don’t expect them to stop their addiction without any help: No one likes to conquer something alone. With the proper support and treatment, it can get better.
- Do speak up, show your concern and be supportive: Don’t be afraid to let your loved one know your concerns and that you will work with them while they receive help.
- Don’t think that it’s a quick recovery: Addiction is hard and recovering is an ongoing process, not a quick 12-step program.
- Do understand that you can not “fix” them by control: Addiction is a self-discovery and a self-journey to health, adding control will only add more stress.
- Don’t preach, lecture, demoralize, or threaten: Show your support by listening and being there for them, not just talking at them of what they should be doing.
- Most importantly: DO NOT LET THEM HIT ROCK BOTTOM BEFORE HELPING. If addiction can be helped earlier on, the better the recovery process will be.
Looking for a place for recovery can be difficult, Lance Dodes, M.D, wrote an article on Psychology Today on 4 things to look for (or to look out for):
1) Look for a program that doesn’t have a specific length of stay. No one can fully recover in 30, 60, or even 90 days. Treatment should be individualized to that specific persons needs.
2) Make sure to look for treatment that gives priority to individual sessions. Everyone’s situation is different, so everyone deserves one-on-one attention to their needs.
3) A good place for recovery will have many different styles of therapy. Any program that forces someone to only do it their way, or only has 1 way of treatment should be avoided. Because, once again, not everyone fits into 1 mold.
4) Look for fewer amenities, not more. You will be paying for those amenities, and not necessarily the quality of the individual treatment. In-patient treatment only needs proper housing and food when it comes to amenities. Scenery, massages, and other extra (a lot of extra $$) is not needed to get to the root of the problem.
If you, or someone you know is struggling, don’t wait. Help them on the road to recovery with love, knowledge, patience and understanding.
There is help out there!
If you are looking for more information on addiction, call the National Alliance of Mental Illness helpline at (800) 950-6264
Or if you are looking for a referral for a recovery center near you, call the the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at (800) 662-HELP (4357).
References:
HelpGuide. (2015). Drug Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved March 2015, from HelpGuide: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/drug-abuse-and-addiction.htm
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc. (2015). Helping a Family Member or Friend. Retrieved March 2015, from National Counsil on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD): https://ncadd.org/for-friends-and-family/helping-someone
Psychology Today. (2015). Addiction. Retrieved March 2015, from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/addiction
Sack, M. D. (2013, May). 5 Myths about Addiction that Undermine Recovery: These myths about the addicted stigmatize them and can sabotage interventions. Retrieved March 2015, from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201305/5-myths-about-addiction-undermine-recovery
The William A. Presti Center for Families and Youth 