If you’re struggling with addiction, coming to grips with it and retaking control of your life may be one of the hardest things you will do. There will almost certainly be setbacks, disappointment and failure before you reach healing and relief. It’s a path that you shouldn’t have to walk alone.
Addiction is a chronic disease where you struggle to stop using substances or take part in harmful behaviors even though they are negatively affecting you and causing distress. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol or behaviors, addiction can affect your physical health, mental well-being, relationships and daily life.
To better understand the journey to recovery and the help that’s available, we spoke with Divya Jot Singh, MD, a psychiatrist with Banner Health.
Dr. Singh said that some of the most common addictions in adolescents and adults are:
- Illicit drugs
- Alcohol abuse
- Compulsive shopping
- Sexual promiscuity, including porn addiction
- Video game addiction
- Eating disorders
“In adulthood, some people can even become workaholics – addicted to work,” Dr. Singh said.
Addiction isn’t a habit or a choice. It’s a condition that hijacks the brain’s reward system and changes its structure and function. It makes the substance or behavior more desirable than living without it.
“There has been a misconception that addiction is caused by the moral failing of a person. On the contrary, research has found that it is driven by biological and psychological factors, and their effect can be beyond a person’s control,” Dr. Singh said.
What causes addiction?
“Addiction is caused by genetic and environmental factors,” Dr. Singh said. “Usually, it’s a way of coping with anxiety that stems from underlying emotional conflicts, but it can transform into an independent disorder.”
Risk factors can include:
- A family history of addiction
- Environmental factors in childhood, like poor parenting, emotional neglect, trauma or verbal, physical or sexual abuse
- Stressful environments
- Exposure to substance abuse or behaviors, especially early in life
- Peer pressure
How addiction can impact your health
“Addiction’s impact on mental and physical health is determined by the type of addiction, the age of the person and social factors,” Dr. Singh said.
It can lead to:
- Short-term disorientation, confusion and problems with thinking
- Malnourishment due to nutritional deficiencies
- Tolerance and dependence
- Chronic conditions such as heart disease, liver disease and breathing issues
- Infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis, if the addiction involves injected drugs
Addiction often occurs along with mental health disorders like depression, anxiety and psychosis. Substance abuse can make these conditions worse and vice versa, creating a cycle that is challenging to break.
Treating addiction — what works?
You may feel that you should be able to deal with your addiction without help, or you may feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help. But trying to overcome addiction without help can leave you feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
Recovery has its ups and downs, you’ll face triggers, stressors and cravings. Without support, guidance and encouragement, it may be hard for you to stay motivated and resilient when you face setbacks.
Recovering from addiction can be tough and often requires more than just willpower. “For most addictions, you need to treat the underlying emotional issues and the specific addiction with medication management and psychotherapy,” Dr. Singh said. “Social interventions such as the help of family can be used along with these interventions.”
Addiction treatment programs can provide structure, medical care, therapy and personalized treatment plans. The right choice for you depends on your needs and how severe your addiction is.
Treatment options may include:
- Inpatient care: With inpatient care, you have intensive, 24/7 care in a residential setting. If you need a highly structured environment or you have a severe addiction, it may be a good option.
Chemical dependencies are extremely difficult to break on your own and cutting out addictive substances can even put your health at risk. With inpatient services, you can detox safely, under supervision and then continue your recovery. - Outpatient care: With outpatient care, you get treatment and therapy while living at home. It’s a more flexible option that may be a good choice if you have a less severe addiction or you’re transitioning from inpatient care.
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP): These are similar to outpatient programs but with more frequent and intensive therapy sessions. You may want an IOP if you need more support than outpatient care, but you don’t need 24/7 supervision.
- Therapy and counseling: These options include individual, group and family therapy. They address the psychological and emotional aspects of addiction and help you develop coping skills, strategies for recovery and ways to manage triggers and prevent relapse.
Working with a therapist is an excellent way to get familiar with yourself and your disease. Beyond the effects of the substance, addiction can introduce a lot of trauma into your life. You may find healing through therapy. - Support groups: In addition to professional support, you may want to join groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous for connection with others, motivation, encouragement, structure and education.
- Family and friends: Loved ones can offer emotional support, understanding and encouragement. They can help you rebuild relationships and give you a sense of belonging and acceptance.
How to manage relapse
Relapse is a common but challenging part of recovery. “Addiction is characterized by relapsing and remitting, especially in the early stages of recovery. So instead of penalizing the person in different ways when they relapse, empathetic and supportive treatment can aid in lasting recovery,” Dr. Singh said.
Relapse can stem from:
- Triggers such as stressful situations, negative emotions or exposure to substances or specific environments.
- Overconfidence in your ability to stay sober without vigilance and support.
- Social pressure or social situations where substance use is common.
It’s important to look at relapse as a temporary setback, not a failure. It doesn’t erase the progress you’ve made. It can help you learn how to strengthen your recovery strategies.
To prevent and manage relapse:
- Recognize triggers and situations that may lead to cravings and substance use. Avoid or prepare for these situations.
- Build healthy coping strategies such as mindfulness, exercise, hobbies or talking to a supportive person.
- Create a relapse prevention plan that outlines actions to take if you have cravings or triggers, such as contacting a sponsor, attending a support group meeting or taking part in a distracting activity.
- Get support and professional help right away if a relapse occurs. They can provide guidance and encouragement and adjust your treatment plan.
“When a person relapses, they might require detoxification in a hospital setting right away, but long-term treatment remains the same,” Dr. Singh said.
The bottom line
Overcoming addiction is a big challenge. It can help to connect with treatment and support and to understand that relapse is part of the process, especially at first. If you’re looking for help in fighting addiction, reach out to your health care provider, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 800-662-4357 or call our behavioral health appointment line at 800-254-4357.
