Overcome Addictions
WHAT IS ADDICTION?
It’s no wonder that people consistently seek clarity on this question, regardless of how much information is readily available on the topic. That’s because addiction is both exceedingly complex and highly individuated. In other words, it damages on multiple levels, while presenting differently in each individual.
Addiction is both exceedingly complex and highly individuated. In other words, it damages on multiple levels, while presenting differently in each individual.
In terms of complexity, addiction has few rivals. Most conditions that we label a “disease” operate on a purely physiological level; however, addiction simultaneously permeates the physical, mental, emotional, social and existential domains. It nestles into the sufferer’s psyche, disrupting emotional nature, distorting personality, all-but-shredding fragile identity and, finally, interfering with the delicate harmony of the brain… and these are only the internal mechanics of this killer. Once it has taken hold, its external symptoms lay waste not only to the addict, but to entire families and communities.
It nestles into the sufferer’s psyche, disrupting emotional nature, distorting personality, all-but-shredding fragile identity and, finally, interfering with the delicate harmony of the brain.
As much as addiction’s intricacy poses a challenge to treatment, this pales in comparison to the obstacles that accompany its individuation. For example, we could review the profiles of two substance addicts that share very similar markers, such as same gender, same age, same substance of choice, same relative stage of progression, same legal consequences; however, these are just demographics and symptoms. In fact, one of these patients had a brain chemistry imbalance before ever having ingesting substances; whereas, the other patient has a brain chemistry imbalance due to having abused substances… Their treatment plans should look very different!
In a world of competing theories and attendant catch phrases, we believe that the same traits of versatility and flexibility that we help our clients to develop serve us well, as addiction-recovery professionals. We proffer versatility, quite literally, by staying “well-versed” in a wide range of treatment modalities and options. And, we conduct free consultations because we consider it part of our professional obligation to remain open-minded and flexible enough to match services with each individual’s needs. In fact, if an addict needs a particular program component that we don’t currently offer, we will either find it and make a referral, or develop it on their behalf.
If an addict needs a particular program component that we don’t currently offer, we will either find it and make a referral, or develop it on their behalf.
We realize that, in order to treat this insidious and embedded condition, that finds its own voice in dogma and extremism, we must remain adaptive. Just as addiction has many facets, so does recovery, and just as addiction presents in variable manifestations, different treatments – or, more accurately, different combinations of treatments – work best for each individual. In fact, hasn’t nature sufficiently shown us that our ability to adapt is the preeminent characteristic that yields us consistently at the top of the food chain… that ensures our survival? And, treating addiction is all about survival.
In essence, addiction-recovery counseling involves increasing a client’s ability to adapt, relative to their inherent strengths and susceptibilities. For example, can you be as emotionally content on a stressful day, as on a relaxing one? Can you know who you are and feel good about it, when confronted with criticism, just as much as when showered with approval? Do you have the tools on your proverbial belt, to contend with everything that life may throw your way? These are the benchmarks of sustained recovery and , not coincidentally, the skills for successful living.
It’s pertinent, to close with what one of our counselors recently imparted, to a group of workshop attendees:
“You think you came here to ‘get off of drugs’… and, you have. But, that is only the beginning. You’ve actually come here, to learn how to live effectively. And, once you know the secrets of life, you will never want to disable your consciousness again.”
Types of Addictions and How to Get Addiction Counseling Help
Causes of Addiction
Addiction is a widely misunderstood condition. While some individuals may have more or less of a genetic predisposition to developing addictions, the common trait amongst addicts tends to be self-destructive emotional and cognitive patterns caused by trauma — whether that trauma is “overt” like physical or sexual abuse, or “covert” like growing up in a dysfunctional family
Types of Addiction
Another broad misconception is that addiction is related only to substances such as alcohol, prescription medications or illegal drugs. But most often, those with an addictive personality will find themselves progressing through several different types of addiction — including substance addictions, behavioral addictions and relationship addictions.
Substance Addictions
Another broad misconception is that addiction is related only to substances such as alcohol, prescription medications or illegal drugs. But most often, those with an addictive personality will find themselves progressing through several different types of addiction — including substance addictions, behavioral addictions and relationship addictions.
Behavioral Addictions
Essentially, addiction is a form of dissociation (disconnecting from yourself) in which the addict is trying to both fill an emotional void like loneliness and/or numb overwhelming feelings that have emerged from traumatic events. So the cycle of addiction can drive any behavior including “people pleasing” or “compulsive caretaking” (codependency), eating (food addiction), feelings (emotional addiction) sex, gambling, work, shopping, hoarding, spending — and even toxic relationship patterns (relationship and love addiction).
Relationship Addiction
In fact, relationship addiction is one of the most common forms of behavioral addiction. Consider the fact that most individuals with a history and pattern of toxic relationships will develop a self-destructive, emotional attachment to their absent, neglectful, avoidant, narcissistic or otherwise abusive partner that is very similar to the emotional attachment that substance addicts experience with drugs. Just like someone in the throws of alcoholism or drug addiction might minimize, justify and rationalize the degree to which their substance addiction is causing problems in their life — someone overpowered by addictive relationships will make excuses for and actually try to protect the very individual that is causing them harm. The roots of these emotional patterns can usually be traced to a childhood in which the addict learned early on, to take responsibility for what is not their fault.
Hallmarks of Addiction and Relationships
An addiction to toxic relationships is synonymous with a foundation of low self-esteem within the victim, that the abuser readily exploits. Both abuser and victim cycle together along an addictive pattern in which the abuser takes no accountability and, instead, blames the victim for for their behavior — and the victim, most often having been conditioned to a false sense of shame and low self-worth in childhood, “owns” accountability for actions that are in fact not their responsibility.
Just like in substance addictions, addiction to toxic relationships is characterized by alternating positive and negative intensity, such as breaking up and then making up — which provide a respective biochemical “high” and “crash”. The abuser then leads the victim to mistakenly confuse these toxic extremes with the healthy emotional variations experienced during infatuation, passion and “love”.
In fact, the only difference between addiction and substances versus addiction and relationships is whether the “abuser” role is being played by a drug or a person. In each instance, the victim progresses through the well worn stages of denial (“honeymoon”), using (violation) and remorse (“fallout”, consequences and loss).
Every pass through this vicious cycle serves to further reaffirm and compound the victim’s low self-esteem, making it exceedingly difficult for them to escape. Fundamentally, the longer that a victim remains in this corrosive emotional environment, the less deserving they feel of leaving to seek a truly loving and supportive partnership.
The addiction cycle in any form is progressive — growing more debilitating and dangerous, over time. Also just like substance addiction, addiction to toxic relationships is often fatal if left unaddressed.
Successful recovery interventions are also similar across all forms of addiction, and most often require professional addiction counseling to help with initial, biochemical withdrawal, development of new emotional skill sets, and cultivation of healthy peer supports. Addiction is a complex condition that requires an equally multifaceted healing process.cc
Is Quitting this Hard?
In fact, “quitting” addiction is virtually impossible — recovery comes from replacing addiction with better coping skills! If someone is abusing substances to numb feelings, teaching them empowering emotional skills that help them to acknowledge and validate their feelings is the answer. Once that person is no longer afraid to feel and is actually able to view their emotions as the helpful “guideposts” that they are — they will no longer want or need to dissociate. If someone is eating to fill an emotional void, teaching them how to cultivate truly supportive friendships that accept them unconditionally resolves the matter — they will soon find that food becomes something to enjoy, rather than a weaponized form of self-shame. If someone is engaged in an ongoing pattern of toxic and addictive relationships, then teaching them to begin discerning what is and is not their responsibility is the solution. Once they have internal boundaries to know their worth and to stop “owning” what is not their fault — they will naturally be inclined to choose healthy partnerships
How Addiction Counseling Can Help
ARCS specialized addiction counseling offers supportive online learning environments in which substance addicts, behavioral addicts and relationship addicts can heal. Both your Addiction Counselor and fellow group participants will welcome you with open arms, as you learn how to process emotions in an empowered way, challenge conditioned thinking patterns learned in childhood, and discern between healthy and unhealthy relationship traits. Additionally, our Addiction Counselors are equipped with 80 online video lessons through which our clients can come to understand the roots of addiction, including how it operates and how it most often traces back to childhood and other traumas. Awareness is power and, once a victim emerges from denial to find themselves equipped with emotional skills and surrounded by loving encouragement, they are able to embark upon a new way of living that reflects and honors their intrinsic value. ARCS Addiction Counseling can help you to build the boundaries that will secure your selfworth as a “beacon” — both for yourself, and for all of those around you. Effective Addiction Counseling transforms both substance abuse and domestic abuse victims into empowered survivors with a deep sense of love, respect and loyalty for themselves.
