By Laurie Drucker, MSW, LMSW
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About Alchohol and Drug Addictions |
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What Is Addiction? |
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How Are Addictions Treated? |
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How Can Family and Friends Help? |
About Alcohol and Drug Addictions
Addiction is a misunderstood and common problem. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 21.6 million individuals in the U.S. fit the diagnosis for substance dependence or abuse, which is over 9 percent of the population age 12 or older. At the same time, many people who wonder if they have a problem with drugs or alcohol feel alone and even ashamed, and this is often an obstacle to getting help.
What Is Addiction?
There are a number of ways to define addiction. One of the simplest is to look at whether use of alcohol or other drugs has continued after it has led to problems. Problems can include difficulties in relationships with family and others. People may also be experiencing financial problems, health, legal, or job problems.
There may be risks that have not yet resulted in consequences, but are dangerous to be taking. There may be losses, such as money spent on drugs instead of home or vacation, or time spent obtaining, using or recovering from use of drugs or alcohol instead of investing in job, education, or relationships.
The next step is to look at how many of these areas of life have been affected, and how seriously. The idea is to look at the relationship the person has with alcohol or other drugs as we assess whether that person has a problem.
A substance abuse or dependency problem is more obvious when a person is using alcohol or drugs in order to feel normal, get through responsibilities or activities that he finds difficult, or if alcohol or drugs are needed in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
It is important to know that the symptoms of addiction can arise slowly over time in a person’s life. For many, these symptoms increase in amount and severity over time, resulting in losses in several areas of life, and, all too often, in alcohol or drug related death. This is all the more reason to consult a professional if there is concern.
If an individual thinks he may have a problem and consults with an addictions professional, he will first go through an assessment to establish whether there is a problem and, if so, get an objective picture of that problem. Talking with a professional provides a link to the many resources and supports available for those dealing with substance abuse.
How Are Addictions Treated?
A program of treatment, rather than individual counseling only, is the most typical way an active addiction is addressed. Participants receive a number of supports.
- Health education and psychological counseling. The goal here is to increase understanding of the health consequences of continued use. In addition, people learn how the addictions process happens and the biological reasons why getting free of alcohol and drugs is so challenging. In order to treat an addiction, it is vital to understand the physical and psychological reasons why consistent support and hard work is necessary.
- Group support. Due to the psychology of addiction, people are greatly helped by participation in treatment groups which are run by addictions professionals including social workers. There they see that their experiences and struggles are not unique and they can be more honest about the nature of their difficulties.
- Individual counseling and resource referral. People in treatment work with a counselor with whom they set treatment goals, track progress and address obstacles. Counselors also help their clients find resources to address life areas that may have been affected by drug or alcohol use, such as job training and placement, education or family counseling.
- Self-help. People who participate in self-help programs, such as 12-Step programs, have greater success living without drugs or alcohol. Self-help groups are run by people in recovery from addiction who serve as volunteers, and the goal is mutual support rather than treatment. While in treatment, people are educated on the benefits of self-help and are supported as they establish an effective connection to a self-help meeting.
How Can Family and Friends Help?
If an individual enters treatment, his success is far more likely if family members are willing to learn about addiction and recovery. Addictions professionals welcome family involvement and will guide family members in the best ways to help their loved one, including attendance at Al Anon or Nar Anon meetings.
If there is addiction or substance abuse in the family and the troubled individual is not ready to get help for himself, it is important for family members to seek their own support. Substance abuse has a tremendous impact on family members and they deserve assistance in dealing with this painful issue. Help can be obtained at a treatment center or with a qualified therapist.
