Drug and Alcohol Addictions

While positive addictions exist (like a runners high), most addictions are considered to be negative.  People are addicted to all types of things and in the U.S. alone over 19 million people are dependent on, or abuse, alcohol and over 3 million people are dependent on drugs.  There are a variety of treatment programs available to help you if you are an alcohol or drug addict.

You can become addicted to any substance that affects the chemical behavior of the brain.  You can also become addicted to "things", such as addiction to shopping or the internet, or gambling and eating as well as sex, pornography, and work.  These addictions to "things" typically develop out of habits that relieve symptoms of depression and feelings of low self-esteem as well as loneliness and anxiety.

Physical addiction and dependency on drugs and alcohol are characterized by their ability to induce euphoria while causing harm to the body and by withdrawal symptoms when they are not consumed. A psychological addiction can develop for any behavior that leads to positive outcomes or avoids negative outcomes.

Addiction to drugs or alcohol have both physical and psychological components.  The physical aspects of addiction and withdrawal are well known and documented.  Psychological addiction is also involved, especially with alcohol direction, since many alcoholics believe that they gain benefit from the use of the substance while they also deny the negative effects.

Several explanations have been put forth to explain drug and alcohol addiction including: 1) addiction is the result of defects in the moral character of the addict; 2) addiction is a physical or chemical illness or disease; 3) addiction is the result of the addicts genetic predisposition to the addiction; and 4) the addicts culture and peer group cause and reinforce the addictive behavior. With my clients, I have found that the cause of an addiction is different for every client.  I also have found that the speed with which an individual becomes addicted, and recovers, varies with the type of addiction and the frequency and intensity of the addictive behavior.

If you are addicted, like many addicts you may have repeatedly expressed the desire to stop your addictive behavior but find yourself unable to stop. There are several treatment approaches that may be able to help you.

The criteria in assessing treatment options are your willingness to admit to a problem, your understanding and acceptance that the negative value of  your addiction far outweighs any positive value, your desire to change your way of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and your motivation for true change.

Therapists often classify addicts and their dependencies as either interested or not interested in changing.   If you are not really interested in changing but are doing it for your spouse or other person, save your time and money since treatment will probably be a waste.  However, if you interested in overcoming your addiction, changing involves planning for specific ways to avoid the addictive stimuli and therapeutic interventions to help you learn healthier ways to think, feel and behave.

Initial treatment may involve detoxification and hospitalization for withdrawal before other treatment approaches are undertaken.  Traditional psychotherapy, Reality Therapy, cognitive therapy, and behavioral therapy have all been shown to have benefit. 

Group self-help programs can also be very effective.  Alcoholics Anonymous is the best-known example of a self-help group therapy approach. Other groups that provide similar treatment include LifeRing Secular Recovery and Smart Recovery. 

The use of medication has proven to be very effective in the treatment of some physical and psychological additions. Some treatment programs include nutritional therapy.

For more information about drug abuse, alcohol, and substance abuse, please click on the linked websites listed below.

"If you really want help dealing with your feelings and emotions, changing your behavior, and improving your life, I will be happy to help you.  I am available almost any time and any place.  You can call me directly and there is no cost or obligation for the initial telephone consultation.  Or you can reach me by email.  I look forward to the possibility of helping you to improve your life."   Dr. Vince Berger