Category: Understanding Addiction

taking drugs

Why Do People Take Drugs?

Articles, Education, International, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Leaving aside the need for drugs to help people with medical conditions let us consider why so many people take drugs.

Rebellion with a cause:

Throughout life a person is posed with challenges. The period between mid-teens and young adulthood is certainly one that affords unique circumstances that can shape lives.

Rebellion is often in mind and can cause a person to go against the grain. They will ignore the advice of parents and older members of society, and in many cases, do exactly the opposite.

A perfect example of this is the use of drugs and alcohol with little knowledge of the actual harm they can cause.

The problem is that what is seen as fun and giving vent to their rebellious streak can very quickly turn into an addiction that is not so easy to lose.

Peer pressure:

This reason for trying drugs can also be linked with a person’s rebellious stage, but also affects adults. Anyone around others who are experimenting or using alcohol and drugs can also feel pressured into trying them.

They do not want to be a minority voice in the group they hang around with and fear that saying “No”, will ostracise them and leave them out in the cold.

Anyone feeling this type of pressure must resist. It is important that a person never does something they are uncomfortable with simply for the sake of doing it.

Walking away from drugs and/or alcohol and withstanding peer pressure will strengthen your resolve and true friends will surely understand the reasons behind your decision.

Experimentation:

Curiosity is a normal trait of life. We are curious to understand how things work, how others live and what effects certain actions or substances can have on ourselves.

For this reason, many will dabble with drugs or alcohol. They will have heard the street-stories of those involved in escapades while high. They will also be given the glossed-over facts of how good certain substances can make a person feel.

What will always remain unsaid in these tales is the negative aspects of drug or alcohol experimentation. The comedown, the negative feelings, and just as importantly the need for more.

Loneliness:

There will be times in life when a person feels completely alone and perhaps is overcome by feelings of emptiness. An easy excuse is turning to drugs or alcohol in the belief that these substances will fill that void.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, after a heavy session on drugs or alcohol the negative feelings a person had could well be more pronounced.

Emotions:

Very often when a person tries drugs or alcohol it makes them feel good. They think they are forgetting their problems and containing certain emotions.

The use of substances to contain or control emotions often leads to a reliance upon them. This reliance turns into something a person cannot live without as the scope of emotions they mask grow wider.

Many more reasons:

There are many more reasons than the 5 mentioned above but none are valid for excessive use of alcohol or drugs. Such use will quickly turn into abuse and from there addiction awaits.

what is addiction

What Is Addiction?

Articles, Australia, Education, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

This commonly asked question can be answered in a straightforward manner, but it is the issues surrounding addiction that are far more complex.

What is addiction?

It is a point where a person who uses drugs or drinks alcohol cannot stop even if they have a desire to do so. The cravings and urge to keep using is far too strong for them to control even though they know the substance concerned is causing them harm.

There is no blueprint for addiction:

One thing is for certain, when someone tries an illegal substance or drinks alcohol they are not expecting to become addicted. The majority do so because they are curious, and keen to experience the effects that so many will have told them about.

The problem with these substances is that they have an extremely strong pulling power. They are moreish and the more a person has the more they want.

What starts as a once a week bit of fun with friends turns into 2 or 3 times a week and then it becomes an expected everyday occurrence.

Not everyone is caught in this spiral of increased use, this makes it very difficult for those who can take or leave substance use to understand why others cannot simply leave it alone.

Something that must be understood is that these substances can change the way the brain works. Many who use drugs or alcohol begin to need them simply to feel normal. Those affected in this way can quickly find that dependence takes over their lives.

Is your dependence deepening?

Here are 6 factors that show a dependence is deepening:

  • Tolerance: Are you finding alcohol or drug use is increasing over time? Is more required to achieve the same feelings as previously experienced?
  • Lack of control: Do you find there are times when you take more of the substance in question than was your initial intention or more than you wanted to? Do you sometimes drink simply to get drunk? Does the first drink regularly lead to more? Is there ever regret regarding how much of the substance you used the previous day?
  • Continued use despite negative consequences: Even though you are aware of the harm this is causing yourself and those around you, you continue to use.
  • Neglected duties: Expected duties around the home or social obligations are either forgotten or purposely ignored. If so, this is because substance use is more important.
  • Increasing time spent: Increased amounts of time and energy are being put into buying and using your substance of choice and thoughts of it are either constantly on your mind or just below the surface?
  • Withdrawal: If you try to forego the substance do physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms take hold? This can range from sweating and shaking to increased anxiety and irritability. The significance of emotional withdrawal is on par with physical withdrawal symptoms.

Deepening dependence will not disappear on its own:

Anyone who feels their substance abuse is getting the better of them needs to seek professional help. Many who are addicted have strong feelings and actions of denial. The sooner this denial is ended and professional help sought, the sooner a solution can be found to help.

alcohol recovery

Maintaining Progress During Recovery

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Remaining sober while going through rehab is the beginning of a healing process that all addicts must face.

Once this initial treatment has been successfully completed a person should be ready for onward progress.

Maintaining this progress will require determination, desire and a positive approach to daily challenges, but it is most certainly achievable.

When times are tough a few self-reminders need to be recalled. Here are some important pointers.

Recovery is not an overnight event:

Let’s face it, your substance of choice took a good while to get the better of you. In all likelihood, it will have been the unwanted duo of increasing use and self-denial that finally led to rehab.

Similarly, recovery will not happen overnight. The need for patience, perseverance and that ever-strengthening desire to regain control of your life will take time.

While an addict will understand this, many friends and family will not. A fair percentage will think that because you have successfully completed initial rehab that all is well; if only!

Marking time:

There will be frustrating periods to face during recovery. Goals and targets are taking longer to achieve than expected and you appear to be marking time in terms of positive progress.

Don’t let these dips during recovery get you down. They will test your resolve and try your patience, but by resisting negative thoughts and pressing on in a positive manner you will become a stronger person.

Positivity is key to continuing the momentum of your personal recovery journey.

Beware of recovery burnout:

At times, challenges to maintaining sobriety will push you to the limit. This is natural because of the immeasurable effects addiction brings, but don’t let recovery burnout get the better of you.

It is imperative that any negative feelings and thoughts are expressed. Speak with your counsellor, a sponsor if you have one, and anyone who is close enough to open your heart too. These frank and open discussions will help tremendously and help you see things from a different perspective.

Focus is important if a recovering addict is to avoid recovery burnout. Here are ways in which that focus can be maintained:

Prioritise your goals:

It is natural to want everything to fall in place quickly, but it is important not to rush things. Address issues in order of priority, overcome one and move on to the next. If this takes longer than expected do not be disheartened.

Listen to your counsellor:

The agreed recovery plan has been specifically tailored for your needs. Many of the basic building blocks of this plan are being utilized because they have proved successful over time.

Never be afraid to question the steps that are being taken, but don’t place extra pressure on yourself by ignoring them and trying to establish your own rehab program.

Don’t underestimate prior progress:

As you progress through healing some stages will appear to be far more challenging than others. Rather than being disheartened spend time thinking about previous successful stages and how you achieved them.

This thought-process will bring positivity and allow you to face and overcome the next healing hurdle.

Recovery takes as long as it takes!

Bear this fact in mind, but don’t become complacent. Keep active, change routines, look at new activities and above all remain positive.

Whenever self-encouragement is needed just consider the progress made to date. Such progress is something you should rightly be proud of.

functioning alcoholics

Functioning Alcoholics – It’s NO Way To Function

Articles, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Those men and women who believe they are functioning alcoholics really need to take a step back and analyse exactly what physical and mental harm their excessive drinking is causing.

3 stages of ‘functioning’ alcoholism:

Here are 3 progressive stages leading to deeper dependence. It goes without saying that the earlier a person acknowledges alcohol currently has the better of them, the easier it is to make necessary changes.

  • Early stage alcoholism: This is when someone is drinking too much, but they have not suffered too many consequences. Addressing the amount of alcohol being consumed at this stage is when it is easiest to make necessary changes.
  • Middle stage alcoholism: Many class this as ‘the classic functioning alcoholic’ stage. The person is still holding down a job and their close relationships are still in place. The problem is that their life is starting to suffer. If action is taken now to curb drinking then there is every chance of getting life back on track. It must be reiterated that while this is seen as the classic case of a functioning alcoholic there is still hope of bringing them back from the brink of:
  • Late stage alcoholism: The job has gone, relationships are in tatters and the need for alcohol to get a person through the day is ever-present. It urges them to drink day-in and day-out. They cannot stop after the first drink and will continue until falling into bed for a troubled nights rest. It must be stated that this stage is not as common as many believe. They think this is the stereotypical alcoholic when indeed middle-stage alcoholism is far more prevalent.

Don’t fall foul of progressive alcoholism:

As can be seen through the above stages, alcoholism is progressive. Consequences gradually increase in line with the amount and regularity of alcohol consumed.

No one should tell a person who is at this heavy drinking stage that it is easy to quit, it is not, but if a person has already started to see the negative side of excessive alcohol intake then quit they must.

Denial is disaster:

As with all addictions a functioning alcoholic will be in denial:

  • Self-denial: They will be aware that they are drinking to excess but convince themselves that it is not as serious as it really is. They assume it is having little noticeable effect on their lives and relationships. Some high-functioning alcoholics with a responsible or senior position at work also take the view that they deserve a drink for the amount of hard work and success their efforts achieve. If this denial is maintained much needed professional assistance will not be sought. It can take traumatic incidents such as being apprehended for drink driving or going through a divorce to make them understand just how serious their situation now is.

Professional rehab can help:

Modern life is full of stress and challenges. It is easy to reach for the bottle as a form of comfort blanket, but the reality is that reaching for it too often will give little comfort.

Whatever stage you are at in terms of excessive drinking please seek professional rehab assistance as soon as possible.

Friends at beach

The Company You Keep Affects Recovery

Articles, Education, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

The Company You Keep Affects Recovery

If you have been dependent on an illegal substance or alcohol it is probably safe to say that the company you were keeping, and those you met along the way helped to fuel the fire of addiction.

Those who have taken the brave step of rehabilitation and are now ready to continue their life in an alcohol or drug-free manner need to make changes in the company they keep.

Company kept:

It is human-nature to be sociable, some are far more sociable than others. The company we keep is an important identifier to who a person feels they are and where they belong.

Close relationships, friendships and acquaintances all have a place in our lives, as do people we either do not get along with or dislike.

Company kept while dependence deepens:

As a person’s dependence upon drugs or alcohol deepens they will find that their normal social friendships shrink, but time spent with those who share the same substance interests deepen.

These deepening ‘friendships’ are a large factor for many in their continuing slide into addiction. It must be realised that if a person in recovery is to avoid relapse and a rapid return to their old way’s this company must be avoided.

Future relationships:

There are 3 strands to future relationships for a person in recovery. We will leave the one closest to home for last.

Voluntary recovery groups:

Organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can be a vital recovery resource.

They help a person understand such problems are not theirs alone, encouragement to regain self-respect is majored on and new friendships are formed. These factors and more help the recovering addict feel far less stigmatized.

Another important asset that should be taken full advantage of is the ‘Sponsor’ allocated to help during recovery.

These men and women have experience, they have been in those dark places you may very well find yourself in. Advice and direction will be offered along with constant comment and encouragement. They can be particularly important during early-stage recovery.

New relationships:

Bonding with others who are in recovery is important, but it will also benefit a person to establish new relationships. This can be achieved by joining a variety of groups in the local area that share interests, pastimes or hobbies you have enjoyed or feel you would enjoy.

Meeting new people in new surroundings can be refreshing and extremely encouraging in terms of keeping relapse at bay. After all, they do not need to know your history, and you do not need to reveal this until you are good and ready, if at all.

Friends you have distanced from:

Those friends who were close before dependence got the better of you may be open in terms of renewing relationships. It is important to understand that amends could well be in order and that such actions are not simply an apology.

Time needs to be taken over how you will approach each individual, and how thoughts and feelings are conveyed relating to your actions towards them during your addiction-fuelled days.

If some refuse this offer of renewed friendship do not let it cloud your judgement or have any serious effects on your recovery. Respect everyone’s personal feelings and hopefully the majority will respect yours.