According to the substance abuse research literature, the most effective treatment programs for overcoming drug and alcohol addiction incorporate a wide variety of approaches such as social services and rehabilitation, behavioral therapies, out-patient drug or alcohol treatment follow-up, recovery support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, counseling, and drug therapy via doctor prescribed medications.

I met a young lady named Kendra last night. Kendra has been addicted to alcohol and drugs for a few years and she told me that she has been sober for 32 days.  We talked for quite a while and would have talked even longer but she had to go to her Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.  At one point before she left, when I asked her why she quit drinking 32 days ago, she said she quit drinking because she was sick of the pain of addiction.  I said a few things to encourage her to follow her career goals and to remain sober.  It was good learning that she has a solid support system and is getting back on track about finishing her undergraduate degree and then thinking about graduate school.

It almost defies logic but dysfunctional relationship patterns like codependency frequently continue after the drug or alcohol addicted individual becomes sober or “clean.”  It would appear to make sense that sobriety and the recovery from addiction in the household would result in a less chaotic, more functional living situation.  When looked at a little deeper, to the contrary, the codependents may be more sad and depressed than ever because the earlier balance, regardless of how dysfunctional or damaging the addictive or alcoholic behavior was, has been upset.

Many, if not most drug and alcohol addicts would probably prefer to stop abusing drugs and drinking, but following through on this is quite difficult at best and almost impossible at worst without professional treatment.

The alcoholism and substance abuse research literature demonstrates the fact that some people are able to stop abusing drugs and quit drinking entirely on their own without professional rehab.  For most people who involve themselves in alcoholism or drug addiction, however, they need professional addiction rehab if there is any hope for long-term addiction recovery and sobriety.

When an addict abruptly stops taking the alcohol and/or drugs to which he or she is addicted, the brain triggers “messages” that are sent to the addict, essentially informing him or her that that something is terribly wrong and needs to be remedied. The “messages” that the brain sends to the drug addict or to the alcoholic consist of several uncomfortable, painful, and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can, in extreme instances, result in a fatality if the person doesn’t once again start using the drugs or alcohol to which he or she is addicted or if the individual doesn’t immediately receive the appropriate medical treatment.

Something in this statement is usually “missed” by most people regarding addiction:  the daily “mission” of the alcoholic or the drug addict is to drink enough alcohol or take enough drugs to avoid the withdrawal symptoms that will surely transpire if the person stops ingesting the alcohol or taking the drugs to which he or she is addicted.

Substance abuse research demonstrates the fact that even though the term “addiction” is commonly used in reference to alcohol addiction or to drug addiction, this term also applies to other compulsions such as uncontrollable gambling, obsessive sex, a compelling need to go on the Internet, uncontrollable overeating, a neurotic desire for porn, and an obsessive need for love.  I wonder when 12-step programs for porn, sex, gambling, love, overeating, and the Internet will become available (if they are not already available).

Please call this number for drug and alcohol treatment info

I heard from my cousin today who has been a teacher for nearly 30 years.  She told me about one of her former students named Sarah who is bipolar and who has been struggling with drug and alcohol addiction for a number of years.

I told my cousin that there are some new doctor prescribed meds that can help Sarah through drug and alcohol detox, through her withdrawal symptoms, and that can help prevent a drug and/or alcohol relapse.  I also mentioned that Sarah may find some help with a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous because listening to someone like me who drinks NA beer and who is 1000% against drug and alcohol abuse may be less helpful than associating with people who understand what she is experiencing.

I told my cousin that Sarah needs some hope for a better life and that with quality treatment and counseling for both of her medical conditions there IS a world of hope if she if she can remove herself from drugs and alcohol and get counseling for her bipolar condition.  There’s a lot of help for people like Sarah but unfortunately, the person has to want to be open to positive change and has to want to live a more healthy lifestyle so that treatment or counseling can be effective over the long term.

It is clear that vast numbers of people do not realize that alcohol is a drug and that alcohol dependency is a form of drug addiction.  The upshot of this is that just about all of the important information about drug addiction applies in some way to alcohol addiction.  As an illustration, this means that like other addicts, alcoholics experience a need to take increasing amounts of the drug (alcohol) in order to feel the “high” or the “buzz” they seek, they experience withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop taking the drug, they crave their drug of their choice, and they manifest out-of-control behavior.

In short, similar to the vast majority of addicts, alcohol dependent individuals need professional treatment if they are to stop their addiction, get sober, and begin their journey on the path to recovery.

When it comes to illegal drugs, society has concluded that their use is dangerous, unhealthy,  and harmful.   As a consequence, society has placed legal prohibitions on their use in order to protect society and the person from the costs associated with the spread of drug-related diseases, homelessness, crime, healthcare resources, and lost productivity in school and in work.

Perhaps things will change in the future but for now most, if not all, developed nations are strongly opposed to drug abuse and drug addiction.