Addiction is a complex, often misunderstood condition despite it affecting millions across the U.S. The first step toward recovery from addiction is understanding and admitting to the problem, and this comes with the proper education. In this blog, we’ll take the first step with you as we look toward recovery, which is within you to achieve.
The specific topics we’ll look at include:
- What is Addiction?
- The Science Behind Addiction
- Why Do People Develop Addictions?
- The First Steps Towards Recovery
- Overcoming Stigma: Understanding Leads to Compassion
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a condition or disorder characterized by dependence or intense craving for a substance, item, or activity. This thing that the individual is fixated on could be a substance such as drugs or alcohol, gambling, or sex, to name a few.
In the medical world, professionals recognize addiction as a disease. The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s definition is A primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry. This definition may be unclear to many people outside of the medical realm. That’s why the word “addiction” has been described in different ways.
Substance Addiction
- Opioids
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Prescription drugs
- Cocaine
- Hallucinogens
- Inhalants
- PCP
- Marijuana
- Amphetamines
Behavioral Addiction
- Sex
- Pornography
- Gambling
- Food
- Internet or social media
- Work
- Exercise
- Self-harm
- Shopping
The Science Behind Addiction
For someone on the outside looking in, addiction may seem confusing. Why doesn’t the person just stop this problematic behavior? Wouldn’t they just stop if they wanted to? In reality, addiction is a strong condition that affects both the brain and the body. When the user takes part in their addiction, their brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine. This is essentially providing a shortcut to the brain’s reward system.
The user continues to use or take part in their addiction to obtain this pleasure, and over time, their brain and body build up a tolerance, requiring the addiction more often and in greater quantities. The addiction becomes beyond challenging to give up the addiction, mainly because trying to stop or wean off of it will trigger uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction doesn’t just happen; there are genetic and environmental factors that contribute to its development.
Consider the statistics below:
- Children who grow up with an alcoholic parent are four times more likely to develop the addiction themselves.
- Genes contribute to 50% of a person’s vulnerability to alcohol addiction.
- Teens with a parent with nicotine addiction are twice as likely to develop nicotine dependence.
- Children of parents with an opioid use disorder are at risk of developing a substance use disorder of their own.
Recognizing the Signs of Addiction
If you suspect you or a loved one may have developed an addiction, there are signs you can look for. Whether it’s for yourself or someone else, consider the following behaviors and physical changes:
Behavioral Signs
- Secretive or dishonest behavior
- High absence or poor performance at work or school
- Self-isolation or avoiding social situations
- Loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities
- Overall loss of energy or motivation
- Mood swings, anger outbursts, paranoia, and changes in personality
- Memory problems
- Impulsive, addictive behaviors
- Expressing suicidal ideations
Physical Signs
- Missing money without an explanation
- Disruption in sleep patterns
- Neglecting self-care
- An inability to stop use of the substance or the behavior
Recognizing these signs early on can prevent the stages of addiction from progressing and potentially save a life. Always reach out for help if you or a loved one is in of addiction support.
Why Do People Develop Addictions?
The reason behind a person’s addiction is likely complex and not fully clear, even to them. Addiction typically begins as a means to cope with negative emotions or situations. These could include stress, trauma, peer pressure, and mental health issues. Sometimes, addiction could sneak up on a person, such as drinking every weekend socially and slowly incorporating it into the work week.
Wherever an addiction originates, what’s important to know is that while the initial use was a choice, addiction itself is not. What we mean by this is that, yes, the addict chose to drink, chose to gamble, whatever it may be, but they didn’t choose to become addicted.
The progression of addiction takes place in the brain and body, and once it’s present, the issue is mainly out of a person’s control without outside help. When you’re supporting an addict’s wish to get help, make sure you never blame them or make it out to be falling short of their morals; this will only discourage them from the hope of recovery.
The Role of Mental Health in Addiction
Mental health and addiction often go hand in hand. In fact, one in four adults with serious mental health issues also struggle with substance abuse. The chances of recovery are low when you only focus on treating the addiction and don’t address a patient’s mental health.
At Harmony Junction, we take coexisting conditions into account and work with our patients in dual diagnosis. These types of addiction treatment programs heal the patient’s addiction and mental health disorder together rather than separating the two. It’s common that one caused the other, and it’s always the case that they’re fueling each other’s fire.
The First Steps Towards Recovery
As we mentioned before, one of the first steps in recovery is acknowledging the problem: the addiction itself. We understand if you or a loved one is on this step and unsure where to go from here.
To seek treatment can be scary; you’re giving up the comfort of your addiction, the addiction that’s been lying to you and telling you life is better with it. But in reality, addiction only holds you down, keeping you from reaching your full potential. There are a couple of ways to reach out for help, and we’ve outlined these below.
Talk to Your Doctor
Whether it’s your primary care physician, psychiatrist, or therapist, your doctors are professionals trained to support you. Make an appointment or call them to express your concerns over your health and current state of being.
If you can text them and find talking nerve-wracking, this also works. What’s important is that you communicate that you have an addiction and you need their support in getting you the help you need.
Ask a Loved One To Reach Out For You
If talking to your doctor isn’t possible or something you feel uncomfortable doing, reach out to a loved one. This could be a parent, sibling, friend, or spouse; as long as you trust them, that matters most. This is a serious situation, and you deserve all the help you can get, so be transparent with them. If this person is close to you or one of your family members, then chances are they’re already aware of the problem.
Share with them your concerns and that you want to get help but need their support in starting the next step. Your loved one can call a rehabilitation center and explain the situation so you both know how to move to the next step: admissions for a treatment program.
Call a Treatment Center
You can skip telling your doctor and call a rehabilitation center. Rehab employees are trained professionals made up of doctors, therapists, and others trained in the addiction recovery process.
At Harmony Junction, you’ll be met with a friendly staff member when you call. We’ll listen to what’s been happening and what you’re looking for. Maybe you don’t even know what you’re looking for, and that’s okay. From there, we’ll gather some information and get you started with your recovery.
The Role of Medical Detox in Recovery
Medical detox is one of the many reasons recovery must be done in a professional setting. Depending on the severity of your substance addiction, a sudden halt in use could lead to severe consequences, even death in some cases. We don’t say this to scare you but rather to make you aware of the severity of addiction on your physical being.
During a medical detox, your doctors will provide you with medical assistance to wean off the substance. They’ll do everything they can to make this process go smoothly. The detoxification process takes 3 to 10 days and is a crucial initial step. Once you’re detoxed, your body can mentally begin to return to the state it was in before the damage done by the substance.
The Medical Detox Program at Harmony Junction
Our medical detox focuses on safety and comfort for our patients. A support system is a vital part of detox, as your brain will continue craving the substance for some time. We’re here to support you as your body flushes the substance out of its system.
At our facility, we offer medical detox for the following:
If you have another substance addiction that’s not listed above, please call us to see your available options and whether we can help with your specific addiction.
Overcoming Stigma: Understanding Leads to Compassion
Many addicts avoid reaching out for help because of the stigma attached to it. The thing is, no matter what emotions come up when you think of getting help, whether it be embarrassment, shame, worry of judgment, or job loss, whatever it may be, the consequences of getting help will NEVER outweigh the consequences of continuing your addiction.
There’s a quote from Alcoholics Anonymous that says, “What other people think of you is none of your business.” Addiction is a dark, downward spiral that only leads to destruction; don’t let fear of being judged get in the way of your freedom.
Using Education For Destigmatizing Addiction
Education and understanding can lead to a more compassionate approach toward those struggling with addiction. When people understand the way addiction works, its stronghold on a person’s being, and how difficult it is to overcome, they can develop sympathy.
With sympathy, there’s a greater want to support those individuals who need it. If you don’t know what to say to someone battling addiction, it could be as simple as a quick text saying, “You’re not alone, and I’m here to help. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to support your recovery.”
Break The Chains of Addiction Today
Addiction is an upward battle for the individual and those who care for them. As shared by a Narcotics Anonymous member, “Every time I draw a clean breath, I’m like a fish out of water.” Harmony Junction exists to get you into recovery and, take back the life addiction stole and set you free from the endless drowning. Contact us today to learn more.
Clint earned a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology in 2012. With 5 years in drug and alcohol treatment and 8 years in private practice, he specializes in helping clients uncover obstacles to living their envisioned life. Leveraging his experience, Clint supports clients in finding the motivation to make meaningful life changes.
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