This post is meant to provide a brief overview on symptoms of mental illness and then insight into living with the symptom. It should not be used as a diagnostic tool, but if you relate to what you read, it may be time to have a conversation with a mental health professional.
Need help with addiction? SAMSA National Helpline Call 1-800-662-HELP
Addiction can be an issue someone struggles with separate from any trauma but it is not uncommon for people who have trauma to struggle with some form or substance abuse or addiction when attempting to self medicate. This disorder is complex and can have multiple factors that contribute to an addiction which includes genetics.
Addiction is considered a chronic condition meaning it is life long. It is a disease. People with addiction issues compulsively seek and take a substance (or perform an activity) despite negative consequences. These can be consequences that impact your health, relationship, work, and/or overall quality of life.
There are two main categories for addictions.
- Substance (alcohol, drugs, medications, etc.)
- Non-substance (behavioral addictions such as sex, porn use or gambling)
Alcoholism is the most common addiction that comes up and as a result there are a variety of resources available to assist. We have included links to resources in the USA, UK, and Canada below. Nicotine and marijuana use are the next most common substance abuse addictions.
What is the signs of an addiction?
- Inability to stop
- Increased tolerance
- Intense focus on the substance or activity
- Lack of control
- Personal problems
- Health issues
- Withdrawal
How is Addiction Treated?
- Therapy
- Support Groups
- Medication
- Rehabilitation
- Hospital Management (especially important for withdrawal from substances that can create serious health concerns.)
Personal Experiences
"I personally do not struggle with addiction issues. A portion of my abuse was by someone who was struggling with abusing medication and as a result I have been very weary of substance use to the point of being extremely reserved in my alcohol consumption and medication use.
A friend of mine who does struggle with alcoholism and addiction as part of their journey has kindly offered to provide some insight. I will be adding them to our collaborators page as they plan to contribute to multiple subjects moving forward." - D.M.
"A Reflection on Addiction
Being an addict colors my thoughts, and actions in many ways. There’s the obvious desire thoughts like I want a drink, a joint, or to get laid. It's deeper than that as well, when I reflect or ruminate it’s from the perspective of an addict. Anything I do or say serves the purpose of getting relief. This doesn’t mean I'm ingenuine or only self-serving like addicts are often portrayed. It means in addition to anything I do there is an underlying need for more. Accepting and not demonizing that fact has been important.
My mental health is such that I'm riddled with insecurity, self recrimination, and anger. I don’t feel or accept love in the way other people seem to. I’m constantly overwhelmed with emotion and thought. I need it to stop if only for a while. Drugs help the thoughts mellow, sex keeps the insecurities at bay, cutting provides control over my emotions. It's not about good or bad coping, healthy or unhealthy behavior. It's about function.
Over the years of self work and therapy I’ve learned to accept certain aspects of myself and learned to expand my coping. I quit drinking, but still smoke weed, and do shrooms. I don't cut as often, but use rubber bands for small doses of pain. Sex and touch still are the only ways I can process affection and love. I’m working on it, but it still persists. Mostly I’m working to unlearn the need to catastrophize or vilify my feelings. It’s ok to be angry, sad, and insecure. It's the actions we do that matters, a simple enough concept, but it took me a while to really understand it.
My goal isn’t to beat addiction, any more than it is to beat ADHD, depression, or trauma. My goal is to live in such a way that I'm not destroyed by anything. I want to be someone that can be depended on, and manage the requirements of living. It’s not easy, but most days it seems doable. I have more hope and love for myself than I ever have. Hopefully my experiences can help others.
Addiction is tough to talk about, because there is a zeitgeist around it being sad, but unsympathetic. It's hard for people to understand why someone would choose to harm themselves in such a way. I’d like to reframe how people see addiction. There is a component to it that is like hunger. A need that can't be easily satisfied. A chemical imbalance, a trauma, or coping mechanism. The reasons matter when trying to understand. " - R
Resources you may find helpful
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - USA
NHS Webpage on Addiction with support links - UK
Addiction resources - Canada
For Loved Ones
What is Substance Abuse Treatment? A booklet for Families (USA)
NHS - Advice for families of people who use drugs (UK)
CAMH - Information for Families (Canada)
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