Addiction or addictive tendencies of any kind affect the brain. Although the addictive substance itself may have a direct impact on body and brain functions (physiological impact), the neuro-physiological process of addiction is a key factor in its own right. To illustrate this point, some people say of an alcoholic, "it's the first drink that gets you drunk!", however, the addictive process has started long before the alcohol has hit the brain, and these functional changes can be seen on brain scans. So addiction is both a question of 'subject' (the addict) and 'object' (the addictive substance or behaviour).
Dealing with the emotional issues underlying the problem.
What's wrong with the way that the addict is feelng in the first place? This is the question that really needs to be dealt with.
The addictive behaviour can be seen in terms of an inappropriate way to make yourself feel better. Therefore, although abstinence from the addictive substance is critical, it is not sufficient on its own, and the practitioner has to get down to more fundamental causes. In the absence of good addiction therapy, despite long periods of abstinance the addict will simply be miserable and is very likely to relapse.
Addiction and alcoholism are now widely accepted to be forms of mental illness, and this view seems to be increasingly supported by the genetic evidence and apparent gene clusters such as RASGRF -2 (see- Why do teenagers binge drink?). In other words, you may not be able to blame someone for being an addict, in the same way as you can't blame someone for getting cancer, but this does not absolve the addict from taking personal responsibility - especially if help is at hand.
A Family Illness
Family members of addicts or alcoholics often describe the affected loved one as though they have been 'lost', and this is probably is an accurate assessment. However, the good news is that the brain can recover provided that the addiction stops. Functional damage to the brain can heal within 3-6 months, but is unlikely to be fully complete without years of abstinence - combined with appropriate behavioural changes. Without intervention, the damage will continue and may become permanent. It is therefore critical to help the addict to get into recovery as soon as possible.
So, the question is - how do you get an addict to accept that there is a problem, and that something needs to be done - and with some urgency?
Unfortunately, all too often the fatalists tends to be proved right insofar as the addict (or alcoholic) has to hit rock bottom, or it is too late. But with help, this need not be the case.
Zero Tolerance
It is easy to understand why people are scared or less than direct with addicts, as they do not wish to push or create another excuse for further using. However, the addict is even less likely to respond positively until the people closest to him/her point out the obvious - and furthermore adopt an attitude of zero tolerance towards the addictive behaviour. It is about tough love.
Keeping up what What Appearances?
A more cynical view of families is that they are bound by tissues of deceipt and secrets, but in the case of addiction there can be some truth in this observation. The wife will cover up for the husband and may even lie to the husband's employer to explain absence. The husband will 'camouflage' his wife's drinking. The son will create all sorts of wonderful stories to cover for his parent's erratic behaviour. As loyal and as understandable as these family self-protective mechanisms may be, the fact is that very few people are fooled. Worse, the perpetrators and objects of the spin even start to believe their own deceipts - and this is all part of the denial process.
Change is Needed
The most important first piece of change required is an acceptance that help is needed.
As Rehab expert, Jef Mullins from the Mind Campus (part of PROMIS Clinics) explains in his article, "The starting point for recovery is usually that initial decision that you have had enough and that you are 'sick and tired of being sick and tired'." Jef describes in his article Thinking of Recovery from Addiction how it is that very first effort to go aginst your normal impulse to protect the illness that marks the new journey. He says, "It is the moment you go against your impulse and decide to give in, or to let go, and be prepared to believe all the people who keep telling you how much you have disappointed them, how you will never amount to anything, and you stand up and ask for help."
So, for anyone who has tried quitting and is asking the question; how do I stop this? The suggestion is that it is unlikely that you can do it on your own, despite what your head tells you. Something has to change Get help.
