Coping Emotionally With Overcoming Addiction
Overcoming addiction, particularly Drug addiction (as seen in the recent HBO Documentary “Addiction”), is perhaps one of the most difficult physical challenges we as humans can surmount. Our body’s dependency on a substance like drug can lead to physical side effects from withdrawal. The repercussions are multi-dimensional, and can be physical torture. Invariably it’s will power and professional help that’s needed to rectify the situation. But seldom when we think about overcoming addiction do we consider the mental and emotional impact of giving up. Arguably addiction is as much a physical dependency as a mental dependency, and it can be particularly hard to find the mettle to live in the face of addiction. With the importance of will power and personal choice, it can be all the more important to ensure that the emotional blow of overcoming drug addiction is absorbed to aid long term drug recovery.
In order to have the first chance of success in overcoming a drug addiction, the addicted (the patient) must be personally willing to do so. The single most common reason for post-rehabilitation lapses is a lack of appreciation for the end goal. It is absolutely imperative that the patient understands the consequences, and actually wants to give up. Without that personal determination, the best medical and professional addiction treatment in the world wouldn’t stand a chance. With this hurdle out the way, its important to make sure the patient understands the process, and never loses sight of the aim. Demonize as far as possible, but understand that addiction is a lot more than lack of will. Regardless of the subject of a given addiction, the process is the same - gradual and awkward.
If you’re addicted to a drug, the first thing you should do is come to terms with the fact that you are indeed physically and mentally reliant on the subject. You need to stop, and put your life into perspective - understand the damage that drug addiction can do, and understand your body’s needs throughout your drug addiction treatment program. Try to ignore what your body tells you in the early days. Drug addiction can cause biological confusion, so don’t worry about cravings. Keep your eye on the ball, and make sure you cry when you feel like it, laugh when you feel like it, and talk when you feel like it. Indulge yourself socially and talk about your drug addiction problems. Others might get sick of listening, but at the end of the day social, hence mental reassurance is pivotal to a successful recovery, even more so than the best of drug abuse recovery programs.
Definition for Drug Addiction:
Drug addiction is a condition characterized by compulsive drug intake, craving and seeking, despite negative consequences associated with drug use (From: “Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide” Preface, National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Drug Addiction Theory:
It is possible to be dependent on a drug without being addicted to that drug. People that take drugs to treat diseases and disorders, which interfere with their ability to function, may experience improvement of their condition. Such persons are dependent on the drug, but are not drug addicted. Drug addiction occurs when one exhibits compulsive behavior towards the drug and has difficulty quitting it.
To qualify as being drug dependent a person must
- Take a drug regularly
- Experience unpleasant symptoms if discontinued, which makes stopping difficult.
Drug abuse can occur with or without drug dependency, and with or without drug addiction. Drug abuse is any use of a drug, which causes more harm than good.
In some cases, whether a substance causes more harm than good, or more good than harm, may be a matter of opinion rather than a matter of fact. This especially true for prescription drug (not drugs of abuse) type of drug addiction problems.
