If you believe that addiction is simply one thing, please think again. Experts now say that addiction to drugs, drink, and other substances and situations is actually a three-link chain that comprises mental, social, and physical ramifications. For this reason, many modern rehab programs follow a three-pronged approach to treating addicts and freeing them from the bonds of addiction for good.
What is addiction
Every person who depends on a substance to make it through the day can be considered an addict. Some people are addicted to coffee; some are addicted to cocaine. Whereas a coffee habit is socially acceptable, dependence on an illegal substance or abuse of a legal substance such as alcohol can lead a person’s life right off the rails. Mayo Clinic defines addiction as a substance use disorder, but there are plenty of people who are addicted to certain behaviours, such as gambling and watching pornography.
When a person is addicted to a drug, a drink, or a certain form of behaviour, the craving for such a thing is intense. So intense, in fact, that the person may be unable to break their bad habit, even when they know that continuing can and will wreck their life or ruin their health. Drug addiction and other addictions are known to disrupt every aspect of the addict’s world, including their social standing, their relationships, and their families. Many addicts also find themselves on the wrong side of the law because of their pursuit to satisfy a craving. Interestingly, many addicts have very high IQs, according to Scientific American magazine.
Physical, emotional, and social: Three links in the chain of addiction
Cigarette smokers are good examples of persons who are addicted three ways. The physical addiction to nicotine is the most obvious, causing the person a real physical need for the substance. People smoke because it feels good to them, especially once they’ve developed a strong addiction. The longer a person uses nicotine or another addictive substance such as prescription narcotics, the more they need to feel satisfied. A cigarette causes the brain to release a feel-good chemical called dopamine. Once the dopamine is used up, the person feels a craving for yet another smoke.
The mental part of cigarette addiction involves habitual behaviour. The addict may automatically reach for a cigarette during certain times of the day, whether or not their body actually craves a dose of nicotine and the subsequent dopamine release. When a person automatically lights up with their first cup of morning coffee, that’s a sign of mental addiction.
Social addiction is easy to spot in smokers. When one person lights a cigarette, their co-workers and companions may also light up and smoke. There’s a certain sort of camaraderie in addicts. That’s why it can be so hard to quit a habit when you hang out with people who do the same.
The three-pronged approach to recovery
When an addicted person intent on bettering their life enters a rehab facility, many aspects of their day-to-day life change immediately. First, the physical ability to obtain and use their drug or habit of choice is removed. Second, they learn to interact socially without relying on a substance or habitual behaviour to bolster them. Mental addiction may be reversed by following the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous or another viable treatment program. If you want to know more about recovery options in the UK, get the news from ArcProject.org.uk.
Please bear in mind that recovery is not something the addict does once and is then finished with. Recovery is a lifelong process that must be addressed every day. Of course, looking at a whole lifetime without one’s drug of choice can be a harrowing proposition and far too big to deal with at once. That’s why a famous AA slogan says, “One day at a time.”
An addict’s chance for a healthy and successful recovery is greatly enhanced when they have the love and support of their families and friends. That’s why many facilities offer therapy groups such as Alanon where family members share their experiences while deriving strength in knowing that others like them made it through their loved ones addiction, and they can, too.
Alice Tomlinson has experience working as a substance abuse nurse. In her articles she tries to raise awareness and offer support for sufferers as well as their friends, and family.
Important to read if you have ever had a family member or close friend suffer from addiction.