Understanding Drink and Drug Addiction
We understand how drinking problems develop into alcoholism. We also recognise the destructive effect that alcohol can have on those suffering from the disease, and on those around them.
Addiction can lead to an obsessive and compulsive desire for your drugs of choice. Deception, lying and stealing may arise, with those nearest to an addict often suffering the most. Addiction can damage work, finances, relationships and obviously health - in some cases permanently.
Mood swings - the individual may seem passive and withdrawn one minute, but hostile and aggressive the next.
Changes in physical appearance - a sudden or gradual gain or loss in weight; deterioration in health, i.e. frequent colds (sniffs), coughing fits, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and increased fatigue, or a general worsening of their overall personal hygiene.
Withdrawal from daily life, i.e. increased absences from work; an inability to commit to everyday tasks, excessive tardiness and deterioration in self-discipline.
Manipulation - the addict/alcoholic very often manipulates situations, making excuses for his or her irrational behaviour. They will often make others feel responsible for their actions who in turn will ultimately bear the consequences of the individual's unreasonable behaviour.
A change in behaviour - the individual may seem overly emotional, i.e. depressed and uncommunicative; there may be a change in his or her speech pattern; an unusual compulsiveness and general defensive attitude. Mood shifts (sometimes violent) may occur suddenly and seemingly unprovoked. This can be frightening both to those around the addict / alcoholic and to the addict / alcoholic themselves. It is normally followed by expressed remorse and promises of "never to do it again" - but these promises, although heartfelt and genuine at the time, never seem to stand the test of time. Months, then weeks even days later the addict / alcoholic is at it again.
Does any of this sound familiar? If so, then what are your options?
Phone us on 0845 686 0337 and we'll discuss them.
It's as simple as that!
Addiction is a very serious illness which normally requires and always benefits from professional treatment of some kind; it is highly unlikely that you or your loved one will be able to do this alone.
The right help is available, but knowing where to look is often confusing, time consuming and challenging. We can take the stress out of the research but assisting you throughout the process.
So what is an addict?
What defines you as an addict has little to do with the amount that you drink or quantity of drugs that you use. Equally, it has nothing to do with the time that you have been using or misusing drugs or alcohol.
You can be said to be an addict:
1 - When your habit starts to interfere with your 'normal' daily life; when you start to put your habit before everything else.
2 - When you crave the next drink or 'line' and have no control over that feeling.
3 - When you conceal your drink or drug supply and put the buying and scoring ahead of everything else.
4 - When you stop caring about others, your work, your family and life in general.
5 - When you start to isolate and blame others for your predicament.
6 - When you continually deny that you have a problem and yet have just lost your driving licence, your job, your relationships and your finances.
This is often referred to as "hitting rock bottom."...and it is not your fault (although you are responsible for your recovery). Addiction - particularly alcoholism, is closely connected to depression, but most alcoholic addicts would rather describe themselves as depressed than as an alcoholic or drug addict. Many addiction specialists believe that addiction is a disease and a very serious illness that affects you both physically and mentally.
The illness is progressive and insidious - the addict is unlikely to realise how ill they have become or how abnormal their behaviour is. The addict is only trying to be normal but they feel different and use their substance in order to make themselves feel normal.
It has nothing to do with a lack of determination, strength of character or self will.
So what is Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic, compulsive and uncontrollable drive by a person to pursue a particular activity (or behaviour), or use a particular substance, and is often associated with a physical dependency.Addiction to substances and/or behaviours generally develop to such an extent that it has a serious detrimental effect on the user and often the family as well. The addiction takes over their life eventually destroying everything.
Having a person in your life that is addicted to alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex or even spending, working or using the internet can be frustrating, painful and in most cases thoroughly destructive. The afflicted addict can detach themselves emotionally and neglect their responsibilities and families. While we know them to be good people, the individual is often unaware or unwilling to admit how much control the substance or behaviour has over them and becomes defensive when confronted with it. This is part of the uncontrollable nature of addiction.
People who are not addicts have no way of fully understanding how this can manifest, and without the right help from the right people the afflicted will continue to use the substance until it completely destroys their lives or kills them!However, our experience shows us that by one recovered addict or alcoholic reaching out to another and building mutual rapport and respect, miracles happen.Call us now and speak to a friendly voice who knows what you're going through. We have experienced the challenge before and know how to help you through yours.
We're here to help.
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