Understanding Substance Abuse Disorder and Effective Treatment Options
Understanding Substance Abuse Disorder and Effective Treatment Options
Substance abuse disorder (SUD) is a complex and pervasive issue affecting millions of individuals and their families worldwide. It is characterized by an inability to control the use of legal or illegal drugs or medication despite harmful consequences. This blog will explore the nature of substance abuse disorder, its impacts, and the various treatment options available to help individuals reclaim their lives.
What is Substance Abuse Disorder?
Substance abuse disorder is a medical condition characterized by an unhealthy pattern of substance use leading to significant impairment or distress. It often involves:
Craving: A strong desire or urge to use the substance.
Tolerance: Needing more of the substance to achieve the same effect.
Withdrawal: Experiencing physical and mental symptoms when not using the substance.
Loss of Control: Consuming more of the substance than intended or for longer periods.
Neglecting Responsibilities: Failing to meet obligations at work, school, or home due to substance use.
Continued Use Despite Problems: Persisting in substance use despite knowing it causes or exacerbates physical or psychological problems.
Causes and Risk Factors
The development of substance abuse disorder is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors:
1. Genetics: Family history of addiction can increase the risk.
2. Environment: Exposure to substance use, peer pressure, and socioeconomic factors play significant roles.
3. Mental Health: Co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD can lead to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
4. Trauma and Stress: Experiences of trauma or chronic stress can contribute to the development of SUD.
The Impact of Substance Abuse Disorder
The repercussions of substance abuse disorder are far-reaching, affecting not only the individual but also their family, friends, and society at large:
Health Problems: Chronic use of substances can lead to severe physical health issues, including liver disease, heart problems, respiratory issues, and overdose.
Mental Health: SUD often co-occurs with mental health disorders, leading to a cycle of worsening conditions.
Relationships: Substance abuse can strain relationships, leading to isolation, divorce, and familial conflicts.
Economic Costs: The financial burden of substance abuse includes healthcare costs, legal fees, and loss of productivity.
Substance Abuse Treatment Options
Effective treatment for substance abuse disorder is multifaceted and tailored to the individual's needs. The goal is to help individuals stop using substances, stay substance-free, and be productive in family, work, and society. Here are the primary treatment approaches:
1. Detoxification (Detox): The first step in treatment, detoxification involves clearing the substance from the body. This process is often supervised by medical professionals to manage withdrawal symptoms safely.
2. Behavioral Therapy:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to substance use.
- Contingency Management: Provides incentives for maintaining sobriety.
- Motivational Interviewing: Enhances an individual's motivation to change.
3. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Combines medications with behavioral therapies. Medications can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to focus on recovery. Examples include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
4. Support Groups: Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer peer support and shared experiences, which can be crucial for long-term recovery.
5. Inpatient Rehabilitation: Provides a structured environment with 24/7 support, offering intensive therapy and medical care.
6. Outpatient Programs: Allows individuals to live at home while attending treatment sessions during the week. This is suitable for those with a strong support system and less severe addiction.
7. Holistic Approaches: Incorporates complementary therapies such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture to address the whole person, including mind, body, and spirit.
8. Aftercare and Relapse Prevention: Post-treatment support is crucial. Aftercare programs, including ongoing counseling and support groups, help individuals maintain their recovery and manage potential triggers.
The Path to Recovery
Recovery from substance abuse disorder is a long and challenging journey, but it is possible with the right support and treatment. The path to recovery involves:
Commitment to Change: Acknowledging the problem and deciding to make a change is the first and most crucial step.
Seeking Help: Reaching out for professional help and building a support network of family, friends, and recovery groups.
Ongoing Treatment: Continuously engaging in therapy and treatment programs tailored to individual needs.
Building a New Life: Developing new habits, hobbies, and relationships that support a substance-free lifestyle.
Conclusion
Substance abuse disorder is a formidable challenge, but with comprehensive treatment and unwavering support, individuals can overcome addiction and lead fulfilling lives. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, do not hesitate to seek help. Recovery is a journey, and every step forward is a step toward a healthier, happier future.
Breaking Free: Faith-Based Renewal in Overcoming Addiction's Grip on Mental Health
Substance abuse and mental health challenges often create a vicious cycle. People may use substances to numb emotional pain, but addiction itself can exacerbate mental health issues. Here's how Christian faith can offer powerful support in breaking free:
* The Cycle's Grip: Substance abuse can trigger or worsen mental health struggles like anxiety and depression. Conversely, mental health issues can increase the risk of substance abuse. This cyclical pattern can feel inescapable.
* Finding Hope in Faith: Christian faith offers a foundation for healing through:
* Renewed Purpose: Faith provides a sense of purpose and inherent worth, reminding individuals they are not alone.
* Supportive Community: Christian communities can provide a safe space for understanding, encouragement, and support.
* Forgiveness and Grace: Christian teachings emphasize forgiveness and self-compassion, which can be essential for overcoming guilt and shame.
* Professional Help is Key: Remember, faith-based practices should complement professional treatment, not replace it. If you or someone you know is struggling, seek professional help alongside spiritual guidance.
With faith and professional support, there is hope for healing and a life free from addiction.
Faith and Healing: Exploring the Christian Spiritual Connection in Mental Health and Addiction
For many, faith is a cornerstone of strength and hope. In the face of mental health struggles and addiction, Christian spirituality can provide a powerful resource for healing and transformation.
* Finding Strength in Faith: Christian beliefs offer a sense of purpose and belonging, reminding individuals they are not alone. Prayer, scripture reading, and connecting with a faith community can foster hope and resilience.
* Seeking Forgiveness and Acceptance: Christian teachings emphasize forgiveness and compassion, both for oneself and others. This can be especially helpful for those struggling with guilt or shame related to mental health or addiction.
* Building a Support System: Faith-based communities can provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals seeking help. Sharing experiences and connecting with others on a spiritual level can be a source of strength.
However, it's important to remember that faith-based practices should complement, not replace, professional mental health treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling, seeking professional help is crucial.
Remember, you are not alone. With faith and professional support, healing and hope are possible.
Detoxing from Drugs and Alcohol: Finding Healing in Faith
Detoxing from drugs and alcohol is a physically and emotionally challenging process. It requires immense willpower and a strong support system. For many people, faith in Christ serves as a powerful source of strength and solace during this difficult time.
Here's how a relationship with Christ can aid in healing from addiction:
* Provides Forgiveness and Acceptance: Addiction can leave a heavy burden of guilt and shame. Through faith, you can find forgiveness and acceptance from God, allowing you to move forward with a lighter heart.
* Offers Hope and Strength: Detoxing can be daunting, but faith provides hope for a brighter future. Knowing God is by your side can give you the strength to persevere through challenging moments.
* Creates a Support Community: Many faith-based organizations offer addiction recovery programs that provide fellowship and support from others who understand your struggles.
* Provides a Moral Compass: Faith can guide you in making positive choices for your life, helping you resist temptation and stay on the path to recovery.
If you're considering detoxing from drugs or alcohol, seeking professional medical help is essential. Combining medical treatment with a strong faith foundation can create a powerful recovery journey.
Addiction Treatment vs. Recovery & Regeneration with Christ
Addiction Treatment vs. Recovery & Regeneration with Christ
Addiction treatment and recovery with Christ are two powerful forces that can help individuals overcome addiction and find lasting healing. Here's a look at the key differences between these approaches:
Addiction Treatment
* Focuses on: Professional interventions to detoxify the body, manage withdrawal symptoms, and prevent relapse. This may include medical care, therapy, and medication.
* Benefits: Provides a safe and structured environment for initial healing, equipping individuals with tools to manage cravings and stay sober.
Addiction Recovery & Regeneration with Christ
* Focuses on: A holistic transformation that addresses the root causes of addiction alongside spiritual growth. This involves developing a relationship with Christ, finding forgiveness, and experiencing a renewed purpose in life.
* Benefits: Offers long-term healing and a deeper sense of fulfillment, empowering individuals to resist addiction and live a life guided by faith.
The Power of Combining Both
Both approaches can be complementary in the addiction recovery journey. Addiction treatment can provide the initial foundation, while a relationship with Christ can offer the spiritual depth and ongoing support for lasting change.
11 APR SUPPORTING A LOVED ONE IN RECOVERY
11 APR SUPPORTING A LOVED ONE IN RECOVERY
in Addiction by Mandi Harris
Recovery from substance addiction, though oftentimes challenging, is possible. Unfortunately, addiction doesn’t only affect the individual–it can affect his family and friends. A goal of treatment offered at The Blake House is to regenerate a man so he can be a functioning man in his family, work, and community. Here are some tips on how you can support a loved one in his/her recovery.
EDUCATE YOURSELF ON ADDICTION AND RECOVERY
Addiction and recovery can be complex and being close with someone who is abusing substances can be very challenging. Some good ways you can help your loved one is knowing potential triggers, health issues, the psychological changes that addiction causes, and the recovery process. The process of recovery is highly personal and occurs via many pathways. Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness that may involve setbacks.
SET BOUNDARIES
The basis of healthy boundaries is respect — for one’s self and for others. Healthy boundaries include feeling safe to express feelings in a calm, assertive manner, and to stand firm even if others don’t agree. Family and friends often try to protect and coddle loved ones thinking they’re helping, when in actuality, it’s only making things worse. Remember, addicts are often master manipulators as that’s one way they support their habit. Remind your loved one often that you are willing to be his recovery support but not his enabler.
MAKE CHANGES AT HOMES
It is critical that you make any necessary changes, especially in the early stage of recovery, in your home and family. This may include removing all addictive substances from your home, avoiding socializing with certain friends, getting family therapy, and finding new activities to fill the time. Once your family member arrives home, he will continue to need your healthy support and the support of everyone in the home.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
As we mentioned above, addiction doesn’t only affect the individual, but it can take a toll on everyone around him. It is important to take care of your own physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental needs. Support groups are a great way to reach others who are going through similar difficulties. It’s a space that allows you to share your story or listen and learn. Having someone outside your friend or family group, such as a counselor, is very helpful as well. Whatever you choose, make it about you and forgive the addict and forgive yourself.
The reality is, the effects and consequences of addiction are hard. Some days it even seems unbearable. Just remember, you’re not alone. While there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, research shows that family support can play a major role in helping a loved one with substance abuse disorders. With dedication, love, hard work, and determination, there is hope.
James 5:16 – Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.
Instead of recovery, at The Blake House, we focus on the regeneration of the man–“to restore to a former state.” We believe that the state of a man before addiction is filled with wounds of rejection and pain, and these wounds have led to a life of addiction. The process of regeneration, “to reform to a better state,” is the prescription for life-long freedom from addiction. Contact us today for more information about our 10-month long in-house regeneration program.
TAGS:
family and addicts, supporting a loved one in recovery
11 APR EFFECTS OF DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE ON THE BRAIN
in Addiction by Andrew Spurlock
Every person who faces some kind of addiction has his own struggles and unique journey that ultimately lead to the addiction. But a major issue is more than the actual addiction–it’s the long-term effects on the person’s life. When drugs and alcohol are abused, various stresses and strains also arise. The longer the abuse or more serious the abuse, the more it will interfere with the addict’s physical and mental health, personal relationships, jobs, and finances, to name a few. Addiction can cause havoc in one’s life and unfortunately, the physical changes you see on the outside are just a glimpse of the destruction it’s causing on the inside of your loved one. There is an overwhelming number of long-term physical and emotional effects addiction can have.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Addiction and mental illness run hand in hand. It isn’t clear which issue is causing the other, but the relationship is strong nonetheless. Substance addiction and mental illness are disorders that develop due to many different factors, both genetic and environmental. For example, people who suffer from mood or anxiety disorders are almost twice as likely to also suffer from a substance use disorder. And people who suffer from substance use disorders are approximately twice as likely to also struggle with a mood or anxiety disorder. Depression, anxiety, and paranoia are among the most common long-term mental health issues associated with drug abuse and addiction.
PHYSICAL CHANGES
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), long-term drug abuse can affect various body parts.
Kidneys– Abusing certain substances can cause dehydration, muscle breakdown, and increased body temperature—all of which contribute to kidney damage over time. Kidney failure is not uncommon among long-time users of heroin and ketamine.
Liver – The liver is important for clearing toxins from the bloodstream, and chronic substance abuse can overwork this vital organ, leading to damage from chronic inflammation, scarring, and tissue necrosis.
Heart – Most illegal drugs can have adverse cardiovascular effects, ranging from abnormal heart rate to heart attacks. Injecting illegal drugs also can lead to cardiovascular problems, such as collapsed veins and bacterial infections of the blood vessels and heart valves.
Lungs – People who chronically use alcohol and other drugs are more susceptible to respiratory infections. This is because many substances can cause damage to the immune, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
Substance use disorders can lead to multiple behavioral problems, both in the short- and long-term. Such behavioral issues include:
Paranoia
Aggressiveness
Hallucinations
Impulsiveness
Loss of self-control
The effects of drug and alcohol abuse can lead to loss of employment, alienation from loved ones, punishable offenses, accidents, and injuries. In fact, alcohol and drugs are partly to blame in an estimated 80% of offenses leading to jail time in the U.S. These incidents include domestic violence, driving while intoxicated, theft, and offenses related to damaged property. Although initial drug use may be voluntary, drugs can alter brain chemistry. This can actually change how the brain performs and interfere with a person’s ability to make choices, ultimately affecting his overall behavior.
EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN
THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX
When a person uses drugs or alcohol for a long period of time, his body and brain have most likely suffered damage, specifically to the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex of the brain is responsible for:
Cognitive behavior
Personality
Decision making
Moderating social behavior
Because abuse can cause damage to the prefrontal cortex, individuals with an addiction issue may not make the same choices and decisions they would if they were sober. Oftentimes, they cannot determine good from bad, future consequences of activity, prediction of outcomes, and social control.
THE AMYGDALA
The amygdala is the emotional processing center. This part of the brain is responsible for feelings such as stress and anxiety. The amygdala may be best known as the part of the brain that drives the so-called “fight or flight” response. When someone is going through withdrawals, this part of the brain will go haywire causing much stress and anxiety. Sometimes, the addict is more drawn to the substance just to “calm his brain” more than chasing a high.
THE BASAL GANGLIA
The basal ganglia is the pleasure and reward center. Every substance has slightly different effects on the brain, but all addictive drugs, including alcohol, opioids, and cocaine produce a surge of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the basal ganglia. Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. As the use of addictive drugs increases, the neurotransmitters adapt, scaling back their sensitivity to dopamine. This leads to a reduction in euphoria or the “high” that comes with drug abuse. And after repeated use, the drugs will decrease pleasure for anything but the drug– “chasing the high.”
Prolonged drug abuse issues usually don’t emerge overnight. Many people can go for months or years without physical or psychological consequences. But the longer you abuse drugs and alcohol, the greater the risk of permanent, long-term damage to the brain. Don’t let drug or alcohol abuse affect your life or the life of a loved one. The negative effects on one’s body is not worth the “high.”
11 APR ADDICTION AND CODEPENDENCY
in Addiction by Mandi Harris
If you love someone struggling with addiction, you may have felt depressed, helpless, scared, and confused, to name a few emotions. There are many things to know about your loved one who is struggling with addiction. We’re here to talk about symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse, how codependency affects relationships, and where to find addiction help for your loved one.
SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE
Drug abuse can wreak havoc on many of the body’s organs. For example, alcohol abuse puts tremendous strain on the liver. Cocaine can significantly stress the heart. Heroin can damage the kidneys. These damages can remain hidden for many years but there are many other signs of abuse.
Problems at work – Sudden disinterest, missing assignments, not showing up, a change in performance.
Physical health issues – Lack of energy and motivation, weight loss or gain, red eyes.
Changes in behavior – Secretive, withdrawal from family and friends, depression, irritability.
Neglected appearance – Change in appearance of clothing and bathing. Abusing any of a wide range of drugs over a period of time can cause a variety of infections, sores, inflammation, or even rotting of the skin.
Financial issues – Asking for money, neglecting bills, items pawned or traded, theft.
CODEPENDENCY IN RELATIONSHIPS
Codependency is a pattern of interactions where you try to help the person manage his struggles with addiction. But in doing so, you may actually be enabling the person to keep using. An example of a codependent action includes attempting to rescue the person you love from the consequences of their substance misuse. If your loved one is battling with substance abuse, you’re probably no stranger to relationship issues. Below are a few do’s and don’ts. However, with a healthy support system, like one at The Blake House, your loved one will often have a greater chance of overcoming addiction.
DOS:
Focus on building trust so they feel comfortable talking with you.
Be honest with your loved one. Honesty is the best policy and letting them know how their choices and behaviors affect you is 100% acceptable.
Respect his privacy. This is a hard one because oftentimes addicts are dishonest and you feel like you can’t trust them. Just be his support team. You can’t make anyone do anything they don’t want to. You’ve heard the saying – “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink”. The same is true for recovery. No one is going to give regeneration an honest shot until they’re ready.
DON’TS:
Threaten him or give him an ultimatum–you may not like the outcome. Not only that, but it may make your loved one hide things from you.
Criticize your loved one. This can contribute to shame and lessen his belief in his ability to quit and recover. Healthy criticism in a healthy individual can be beneficial, but it may take a while to get there. Be patient, love, and let God take the reins.
Don’t expect immediate change. Recovery from addiction is a lifelong process.
Codependency may be further defined as over-functioning for an addict while not caring for one’s own well-being. Someone who is codependent may neglect their own self-care and instead focus on the needs of the loved one. Do you find yourself making excuses for your loved one in order to protect them from their misconduct, fulfilling his household duties, or paying for damages to “keep him out of trouble?” At The Blake House, we believe support and therapy for the loved ones of an addict is an integral part of the regeneration process.
Substance abuse can be easily hidden, and develop in plain sight throughout the years. Educating yourself about addiction is the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved one. Unraveling addiction can be very complex and it often involves the family getting help too. As a family member, spouse, or close friend of someone with an addiction, you are essential to the success of your loved one’s treatment journey.
HELP FOR ADDICTION IS AVAILABLE
The Blake House believes the state of a man before addiction is filled with wounds of rejection and pain, and these wounds have led to a life of addiction. The process of regeneration, “to reform to a better state,” is the prescription for life-long freedom from addiction. The single most important factor to a man being admitted to The Blake House is his attitude. When he’s ready, The Blake House is here.
Colossians 3:17 – Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
TAGS:
changes in behavior, codependency in relationships, Help for addiction, signs of abuse
21 MAR INTERACTING WITH OLD FRIENDS AFTER TREATMENT
in Uncategorized by Andrew Spurlock
Congratulations! You’ve done it. You’ve completed one of the hardest, if not the hardest thing you’ve ever done in your life: recovered from addiction and regenerated yourself as a new man. But now what?
Now that you’re sober and free from your vice, you get to see the world through a new lens. For many, this can be both exhilarating and nerve-racking. Studies say the success rate for staying in recovery after treatment is about 50%. But unfortunately, this means there is an equal chance of relapse—about the same as other chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. It takes time to develop new habits to support your life of sobriety ignoring the triggers that you may face every day and everywhere. But it’s doable. You can do it!
One trigger for relapse is spending time with the people you used to drink or use drugs with. Even if your old friends support your recovery, spending time with them can be very dangerous for your sobriety. And you probably learned this in treatment.
WE HAVE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERACTIONS WITH OLD FRIENDS AFTER TREATMENT:
Practice what you’ll say.
Visualize potential interactions with your old friends. Ask a friend or family member to help you practice what you’ll say. You’ll want to know how and what to say because there may come a time that you cross paths with old friends. Planning ahead and having to prepare your thoughts can be a lifesaver for life after treatment.
Be open and honest.
If you are around these old friends, be open and honest. Let him or her know that you need to focus on yourself and your sobriety. If you try to make excuses or avoid them, that may cause you more stress than simply being open and honest.
Make good choices.
After treatment, you’ll want to make good choices that change your life for the better. This will help you strive to be the best person you can be and reach goals you never thought were possible. One thing you’ll need to do is fill your time. A hobby is a great way to introduce a new activity to your life as well as meet new like-minded people.
Regeneration
Now that you’re a regenerated man, set goals and a plan to achieve them. Whether it exercising, tackling a home improvement project, spending more time with family, or changing careers, with the support of your loved ones and your trust in God, you can succeed. Your future is a blank slate, so make the most of your second chance.
For more information on The Blake House 10-month regeneration program for men struggling with addiction, contact us today.
Photo credit: FocussedFish.com
24 JAN ADDICTION: MORE COMMON THAN ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO ADMIT
in Uncategorized by Andrew Spurlock
Have you ever heard someone say “I’m addicted to blank”? While some casually say this without meaning it, others truly may struggle with addiction. Addiction is not a sign of weakness, a character flaw or a moral failure. It is a condition that affects millions of Amercians–people of all ages, races, gender and socioeconomic statuses. And while there is no one specific cause of addiction, there is hope and help is available.
WHAT IS ADDICTION?
By definition, addiction is a chronic dysfunction of the brain that involves:
Reward
Motivation
Memory
Addiction is the body craving a substance or behavior, especially if it causes a compulsive or obsessive pursuit of reward and lack of concern over consequences. It is a disease that changes both brain structure and function.
BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADDICTION
With addiction, changes in the brain’s structure and function are what cause people to have intense cravings, changes in personality, abnormal movements and other abnormal behaviors. Brain imaging studies show changes in the areas of the brain that relate to judgment, decision making, learning, memory and behavioral control when an addiction is present. That explains a lot, doesn’t it? With drug and alcohol addiction, substances “hijack” the brain and can cause someone to act in a way he wouldn’t if in a sober state.
COMMON ADDICTIONS
When we say the word “addiction,” many people think of drugs or alcohol but those are not the only substances or behaviors people can be addicted to. Remember, an addiction is when the body craves something causing a compulsive or obsessive pursuit of reward no matter the consequences. Some common addictions include:
Drug – Drugs can alter a person’s judgment and thinking and have long-term negative effects on one’s health. Addiction to drugs not only includes illegal substances, but also prescription and legal substances. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths in the US surpassed a milestone: 100,000 deaths in a year.
Nicotine – Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that keeps you smoking or chewing tobacco and it reaches the brain within seconds. Once in the brain, nicotine increases the release of neurotransmitters, which help regulate mood and behavior.
Alcohol – A legal, controlled substance, alcohol can lower anxiety and inhibition with a range of side effects. Not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic. But long-term use and misuse can have serious health risks and negative effects on one’s life, in general. Heartbreakingly, more than 14 million adults struggle with alcohol addiction.
Coffee or caffeine – Coffee is widely used in society, and therefore, it’s generally acceptable, which can open the door to overuse.
Gambling – While only 1% to 2% of adults develop problems with gambling, it still continues to affect a significant amount of the population. Compulsive gamblers tend to remember the highs of the wins and block out the losses
Anger – Anger feels good: it overrides moral and rational control. It can lead to “rushes” when the thought or action of danger triggers dopamine reward receptors in the brain. It can easily affect people in their day-to-day activities.
Food – Appropriately 2% of populations have eating disorders or food addictions. Food affects the brain chemistry in the same way that drugs do. Most eating disorders stem from emotional and psychological issues, and because food appears to be harmless and abundant, it becomes the focus for abuse.
Technology – Have you heard of “nomophobia?” It means “no-mobile-phone-phobia” and describes the psychological attachment people have to their mobile devices. Addicted individuals may find themselves in front of the screen for hours or days at a time, and so absorbed with the technology, that their life seems to pass them by.
Sex – Just like the abuse of other substances or practices, sex addicts use it to escape from reality, relieve anxiety or to fulfill compulsions. It is estimated that 8% of men and 3% of women in the US are affected by sex or relationship addiction.
Work – We probably all know someone who’s a “work-a-holic.” It is a real mental health condition, and like any other addiction, work addiction is the inability to stop the behavior. It often stems from a compulsive need to achieve status and success, or to escape emotional stress.
ADDICTION DOESN’T HAVE A “TYPE”
As we mentioned before, addiction affects people with a variety of backgrounds. Addiction doesn’t care how successful you are, your gender, your age, how much money you make, etc. All considered, genetics and mental illness can play a role in whether someone has addictive behavior, the substance or activity the person is addicted to and the severity of the addiction. For instance, someone struggling with mental illness or someone who has a genetic predisposition may start using drugs in an attempt to feel better, when in actuality, the use of drugs and alcohol often has devastating, long-term effects.
HELP IS AVAILABLE
At the Blake House, we believe in the Lord’s healing and focus on “regenerating” men spiritually, physically and mentally. By definition, the word rehabilitation means “to restore to a former state.” We believe that the state of a man before addiction is filled with wounds of rejection and pain, and these wounds have led to a life of addiction. The process of regeneration, “to reform to a better state,” is the prescription for life-long freedom from addiction. If you are ready for help, The Blake House is here for you. Contact us today to learn more about our 10-month regeneration program.
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TALKING TO A LOVED ONE ABOUT GETTING HELP
It all begins with an idea.
Building up the courage to talk with your loved one about getting help can be difficult for all involved. We’re going to give you some do’s and don’ts when it comes to talking about help. The best time to talk to said person is when he is clear headed. And don’t worry about saying things perfectly. Expressing your concern in a caring and honest way is the most important message you can convey.
WAYS TO START THE CONVERSATION
I wanted to check in with you because you haven’t seemed yourself lately.
I’ve noticed you’ve been using [insert drug name], and I’m worried about you.
I’ve noticed you’ve been acting differently lately, and I’m wondering how you’re doing.
DO’S
Be supportive – No matter how “bad” your friend’s behavior has been lately, he is not a bad person. Addiction is a disease, and it’s been recognized as such by the American Medical Association since 1956.
Make sure you’re specific about what you’re seeing – Bring up particular incidents such as, “When you canceled our plans the other day”.
Encourage – Talk about the effect your friend’s drinking or drug use has on whatever he or she cares about most: career, children, sports, etc.
Prepare for the good or bad – Your friend could respond in any number of ways, good or bad. The main thing is to listen, stick to the facts, show a caring attitude and offer your assistance and support.
DON’TS
Threaten – Don’t make claims to try to “scare someone straight.
Guilt-trip – Avoid making statements that place blame on the person you’re concerned about, such as: “You’re ruining your life.”
Enable – Never aid your loved ones in consuming the substance to which they’re addicted.
Blame yourself- You can’t cure someone else’s addiction. Even if you could, it isn’t your responsibility.
Addiction is a confusing disease. Contrary to a popular myth, your loved one doesn’t have to drink alcohol or use drugs every day to be addicted. People in active addiction can have good jobs, homes and bank accounts, and they can be good spouses, parents or friends. Talking to a loved one about getting help will determine how close you are. But one thing is the same across the board. Listen, be supportive, and try using phrases such as, “I am here for you, and I want to help you in any way that I can”.
Last but not least, take care of yourself. Living day in and day out with an addict can be difficult, heartbreaking and mentally exhausting. Make sure you have someone to talk with, eat right, exercise and make sure you’re getting good quality sleep. Try finding support, answers and resources through Al-Anon. If your loved one is ready to accept treatment and take responsibility, The Blake House is ready to support him.