addiction

There are many factors which contribute to a person’s risk for addiction and substance abuse. Genetics may be one risk. A family history of substance abuse does not determine that a person will wind up in some form of addiction, but studies reveal that heredity can be a contributing factor. Another significant risk factor is environment. While environment can sometimes refer to the influence of others, research also shows that high-stress work environments can likewise play a role.

Denial is an inherent part of addiction. This includes not being open and honest about symptoms and severity of alcohol addiction and drug addiction. There are many reasons why addicted people don’t confide in physicians, family, or friends; one being that the addicts, themselves, don’t realize they have a problem. Open communication in the form of listening to loved ones, counselors and professionals, listing to the inner voice, and actively talking about experiences.

Certain newcomers show up at meetings with no real intention of staying sober. They go through the motions for a little while, but their hearts are not in it. They fail to see themselves as addicts. They refuse to admit that the only cure is sobriety. They will indeed drink or use again. There are other members, however, who do realize that alcohol or drugs is their problem and who do deeply desire to never again drink or use. Lifetime sobriety is not impossible, but it is also something that cannot be taken for granted. Above all, it requires intentionality and a willingness to be honest with yourself.

Staying clean and sober takes commitment and a lot of hard work. There’s no magic wand to keep alcoholics and drug addicts from relapse. However, there are ways to decrease the possibility of relapse.

The first step to solving a problem with alcohol or drug abuse is recognizing that it exists. Dr. Gary Stollman, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist who helps people overcome self-defeating behavioral patterns. He recently shared with the readers of drphil.com 10 key behavioral signs that a person needs help with an addiction problem.

For someone struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, life can be a very difficult time. The consequences of addiction can lead to a number of life-changing events including job loss, divorce, not to mention an ongoing list of health problems. But what many addicts may not realize is that addiction is not an individual disease. In reality, the effects of addiction not only drastically change the life of the person abusing the actual substance, but this disease also directly affects those family members and friends who are connected to the addict.

There is a common myth that claims drug addicts and alcoholics must hit rock bottom before they will finally be ready to get clean and sober. This is certainly not true of everyone; however, the terrible dynamics of addiction are such that many men and women caught in its clutches can spiral downward so quickly that they never even realize how bad things have gotten until they have lost just about everything.