Substance abuse is something that many individuals struggle with on a day-to-day basis. Struggling with substance abuse can be a dark cloud that feeds on uncertainty, negative mindsets, pain, and anxiety. Emotional and physical conflicts provide fuel for addiction. However, there are ways that you can identify the deeper aspects that fuel your addiction. How can you better help yourself identify and address your addiction at its core?
If you’ve struggled with substance abuse, you know that it can make you feel like others identify you as a less than stellar individual who can’t be trusted, might be dangerous, and is likely an outcast. You may feel hopeless or resentful, not knowing how to manage your circumstances without using substances. However, you are still human. You may rely on substances because you feel there are no other options to help you get through scenarios and the circumstances of everyday life.
Every individual who struggles with substances has a unique situation, and sometimes substance use impacts daily functions and decisions. However, when you examine addiction at its core for the first time, you may realize that coping with your addiction is a difficult challenge.
For example, a person who struggles with diabetes may be unable to control their blood sugar without help from a doctor. Would you deny that person the ability to pursue their life’s purpose simply because they don’t understand how to control diabetes on their own? Recovering from addiction can be very similar to that, especially when addressing what fuels your addiction.
The recovery process identifies the underlying core elements behind addiction to address the addiction itself. Just like the individual who has diabetes seeks a doctor to help them with their health, those that struggle with substances seek recovery to take control of their lives and regain their health.
Addressing your addiction through treatment and recovery may start with the initial step of identifying deeper issues you have. Those who struggle with recovery may feel shame and guilt, which can make them have difficulties expressing themselves to those they love due to what they perceive as constantly making mistakes.
If you have someone you love who struggles with addiction, your first step is to determine if there is a deeper issue fueling the addiction. There are various ways that you can go about understanding addiction and what may fuel it. Friends and family members should first look at the concept of addiction at its core before making assumptions or judgments about those who struggle with addiction.
As someone struggles with addiction, they may dive deeper into substance abuse. Some of the factors that make this struggle more difficult include cravings, lack of consequences or self-control, compulsion, and coping with other trauma. The overpowering urge to feed addiction grows over time, eventually becoming habitual. Besides the growing urges, the feeling that you may need a substance to survive can cause a lack of motivation and potential negative consequences.
Individuals who enter into treatment for addiction learn to identify the deeper issues that fuel their addiction at its core. Once the addiction is addressed at the core, the recovery process can truly begin. There are various ways to begin treatment and recovery, such as CBT, DBT, therapeutic approaches, EMDR, psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, ACT, anger management, and other treatment options. These treatments help you identify the deeper issues that fuel your addiction.
It is important for friends and family members to understand that, while guiding someone towards recovery is ideal, it must be done in a fashion that doesn’t include judging or shaming. If you are a parent who is concerned about your child having substance abuse issues, or if your partner is showing signs of substance abuse, get more insights on what could fuel the addiction before showering blame on the individual. Shame can create negative feedback, and those who are shamed may feel like they are never ready to start the recovery process.
Remember that you can get guidance on how to gear them towards recovery in a positive manner. You can do this through therapy groups or by reaching out to a healthcare provider that specializes in addiction. Addressing your perception of addiction before making assumptions or harboring resentment towards those who struggle with addiction can improve their chances of recovery. You may feel their substance use is uncontrollable or impossible, regardless of what stage it is. However, once addiction is addressed, the impossible once again becomes possible.
There are many ways to avoid confusion when trying to understand what deeper issues fuel addiction. There are communication styles you can use when identifying these issues and interacting with those who are struggling but don’t forget that shame and guilt should not be a part of these conversations.
When someone struggles with addiction, they may also have an underlying, co-existing health disorder, which needs to be addressed at the same time as the addiction. Dual diagnosis treatment is a great way to understand the deeper issues fueling addiction, all while addressing the psychological components of substance use. At NorthStar Transitions, we don’t want others to have stigmas towards substance abuse. We believe in the connection between trauma and addiction and understand how to utilize clinical and holistic approaches. NorthStar Transitions provides accelerated resolution therapy and other clinical approaches that can identify the deeper issues around addiction. We understand that each individual that walks through the door is unique. Our mental health professionals are here to help individuals struggling with addiction and help their loved ones understand that addiction starts by understanding the core elements of substance abuse. For more information about communicating with those you love about substance abuse, reach out to NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
