Breaking Down Addiction – The Mental & Emotional Aspects
As we have discussed, addiction is a complex disease that affects people physically, mentally and emotionally. Because of this, addiction treatment requires addressing each of these aspects. Let’s look now at the mental and emotional components of addiction.
Addiction begins with a choice. Out of curiosity or through peer pressure, individuals may try drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs. Because drinking alcoholic beverages is accepted in American society, some excessive use may even be condoned. If use does not cause problems for the user, or cause problems for others, most people consider such use to be social or recreational. But it becomes substance abuse when the use of alcohol or other drugs has become such a central part of a person’s life that he or she is willing to forego important activities in order to use the drug.
An addict will continue to take a drug in situations that that defy logic and threaten their way of life. Examples of abuse include: use of alcohol or drugs in spite of a drug-free workplace policy, taking prescription drugs without a prescription or in ways that are not prescribed, or use of over-the-counter drugs to the point of impairment. It is this compulsion that causes many of the behavioral problems surrounding addiction and what requires multidimensional regimens of treatment.
Emotional signs of addiction include aggression, anxiety, depression, and paranoia. Behavioral cues include excessive talking, impaired coordination, inability to sit still, irritability, lack of energy, limited attention span, poor motivation, slow reaction time, and slowed or slurred speech.
Addiction is not the result of moral weakness or overindulgence, but instead, like adult diabetes or hypertension, has its roots in genetic susceptibility, social circumstance, and personal behavior. For an addict, it is not a question of will power alone. Most people addicted to alcohol and other drugs cannot simply stop using them, no matter how strong their resolve. Most need one or more courses of structured addiction treatment to reduce or end their physical dependence on alcohol and/or other drugs, before any emotional or mental challenges can be addressed.
One of the most disturbing and confusing aspects of addiction is denial. The user rejects the notion that his or her use is out of control or that it is causing any problems at home or on the job. But there are effective strategies employed by addiction professionals for helping break through this denial which must be overcome before treatment and recovery can take place.
