Addiction can be difficult to understand for those who have never experienced it first hand.
However, when it comes to helping someone close to you who is struggling with addiction, it is important to empathize with their situation and try to understand what they are going through.
So how can we understand what our loved ones are going through?
This section explains.
What causes addiction?
If you want to know how to understand addiction, you must
first learn about addiction and its causes.
Addiction consists of three components. First, there is the craving for the object of intoxication. Second, they lose control over their use, and third, they cannot stop using them, even if they are life-threatening or health-threatening.
Many associate addiction with alcohol and drugs. However, they can become addicted to gambling, sex, the Internet, video games, food, and shopping.
Addiction revolves around the part of the brain that processes pleasure. When we do or consume something that we enjoy, our brain produces dopamine.
When the brain's reward system is filled with dopamine, the hippocampus stores memories of that quick gratification, and the amygdala produces a conditioned response to that stimulus.
Over time, repeated use will require more dopamine to reach the same level. This means that a stronger impact is required on the dependent.
Understanding addiction means recognizing that the way these
hormones interact with different parts of the brain is the root cause of the
problem.
How can I help someone with addiction?
There are several ways to help someone with addiction. With your help and support, they can overcome their addiction and become more manageable.
Here are some steps you can take to support someone with an addiction.
Understanding Addiction
One of the most important things you can do for someone with any form of addiction is to take the time to understand it. Understand that they are not just weak-willed or incapable of making good choices in life.
Addiction is powerful and cunning. When someone becomes addicted to something, breaking the addiction takes a lot of effort and willpower.
Find out how her addictions are affecting her. Over time, addicts learn to hide their addiction through shame and secrecy. By helping them uncover the mysteries associated with addiction, you can begin to uncover everything related to addiction.
The more you learn about your addiction, the better. Ask questions with an open mind and support your answers. Note that it is difficult for them to talk to you about their addiction.
Talk to your loved ones.
When someone close to you is going through a difficult time with an addiction, they need your support. They don't need your judgment or anger. Do your best to show them as much support as you can.
Take the time to talk to them and be there when they want to talk to you. Educating yourself about addiction is hard. However, the support of those close to you can be very helpful in your recovery.
Treatment and Support Options Research
People in the middle of an addiction may find no way out. Explore the various support options available to help.
Several options are available. A rehabilitation clinic may be a good first step, but after that, additional outpatient treatment, help from a therapist, or participation in a 12-step program is required.
Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
Inpatient programs for alcohol or drug addiction usually begin with a period of detoxification. During this time, the addict clears the drug from the body. This helps deal with the immediate physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with drug use.
Once the drugs and alcohol have been out of your system long enough, it's time for rehabilitation. This includes group therapy, individual counseling and other activities such as meditation and yoga.
The idea of rehabilitation is to identify the problems in an
addict's life that caused the addiction in the first place.
Join the 12 step program.
One of the most effective ways to deal with addiction is to participate in a 12-step program. There are programs for various forms of addiction. The most popular 12-step program is Alcoholics Anonymous.
By participating in a 12-step program, addicts examine different areas of their lives and reflect on how their addiction has affected their behavior. For many people, this format has a strong religious component, but you don't have to be religious to follow this path.
Helping Addicts
If you really want to help addicts overcome their addiction,
take the time to learn and understand addiction. Once you know how addiction is
impacting your children, help them further by suggesting recovery programs or
talking to them.