Understanding Substance Addiction

Addiction is a complex and often misunderstood phenomenon that grips individuals from all walks of life. More than just a struggle with drugs or alcohol, addiction encompasses a wide array of behaviors that can lead to destructive patterns, affecting not only the individual but also their loved ones and communities. Whether it’s substance abuse, compulsive gambling, or excessive screen time, the allure of these activities can offer temporary relief or pleasure, masking deeper emotional or psychological issues.

As dependency takes hold, what may start as a seemingly harmless choice can quickly devolve into a relentless cycle of cravings and consequences. Understanding addiction requires a comprehensive exploration of its underlying causes, including genetic predispositions, psychological vulnerabilities, and societal influences. In this article, we will delve into the intricate dynamics of addiction, examining its impacts on health, relationships, and society, while also shedding light on the paths to recovery and healing.

How Does Drug Addiction Evolve?

The journey to addiction often begins as an innocent ‘trying out’. Not all use of drugs, whether prescribed or illegal drugs - lead to addiction or abuse. Individuals are able to take these drugs without getting addicted to them, and not experience the negative symptoms of the drugs, whereas others get into serious trouble even with just one dose of the drug.

Addiction is more of the consequences of what happens because of the drug use rather than the type or amount of drug use. When the consumption of the drug causes problems within the environment of our lives, then it's highly probable that one has an addiction or abuse problem. With addiction comes the tolerance for the drug, making one consume higher dosages of the drug, the cravings tend to kick in and there’s a difficulty in controlling the use of the drug. Problems may also arise when the individual does not get access to the drugs.

Rarely does one know that they’ve become addicted to drugs. If one ‘realizes’ that the drug is able to fulfill a need, or more importantly, is used as something to ‘ease the pain’, then the individual is at a higher risk of abusing the drug. Using drugs to ‘fill a void’ or to calm oneself down puts one in a risky position of crossing the line from drug use to drug abuse.

Using drugs may also start as a means to join a social group or to be a part of the social situation. A desire to fit in may compel an individual to use the drugs. Gradually, the frequency of using the drug increases from taking it once in a while, to every weekend, or taking the drug to help cope with some problems, one gets used to taking the drugs almost on a daily basis, and the ability to stop gets compromised when the voluntary choice becomes a psychological, social and physical need.

What Happens to The Brain?

Repeated drug use alters brain functions and this includes all kinds of drugs - prescribed and recreational drugs. Drugs are mainly associated with dopamine - the feel good hormone, the reward hormone. Everyone likes to feel good and have feelings of pleasure, and we tend to repeat things that produce these feelings in us. Once we continue to take the substances on a daily basis to feel good, we alter the normal brain function of producing dopamine. We crave more and more, and we don't feel normal anymore without experiencing the ‘high’ we get from consuming the drugs. That’s when drugs take up more importance in our lives. We would then rationalize the need of the drugs and undermine the impact it has on our lives, and we completely succumb to the drugs

Myths and Facts of Addiction

• Willpower is all you need to overcome addiction. If you really want to, you can - Extended exposure to drugs changes the brain in ways that lead to intense cravings and a strong compulsion to use. These alterations make it nearly impossible to quit solely through willpower.
• Addiction is a disease and we cannot do anything about it - Experts have termed addiction as a disease that affects the brain, but it does not mean that you are helpless. Addiction-related changes in the brain can be effectively treated and reversed through therapy, medication, exercise, and a range of other interventions.
• You cannot force someone to be treated for addiction - Treatment may not always be voluntary to be successful. Though there may be obstacles at the beginning, but as the individuals sober up, and they become more clear in their thinking and they realize the need for change, most individuals start moving towards change.
• There is no point in going back to rehab after relapse - Addiction recovery is a long process and will often have setbacks. This doesn't mean that the person is a lost cause or that the person cannot be sober again. They can always get back on track with a change in approach to treatment, or get back to rehab.

Causes of Addiction

Many factors may cause an individual to get addicted, or fall into substance abuse. Addiction is a complex condition characterized by genetic, sociological and biological features.

Genetics

Individuals whose family has had a history of substance abuse are more likely to develop addiction themselves. Genetic variations can also influence the way the body metabolizes the substances, hence making the risk of addiction to vary from individual to individual.

Psychological Factors

Individuals having conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, low self-esteem, may use and resort to substances as a way to cope with symptoms and feelings of inadequacy, and to fit in with the others. Certain personality traits may also be at risk of developing addictions - higher levels of impulsivity, lower levels of conscientiousness, non-conformity, level of tolerance towards stress, sensation seeking, and blame shifting, being a few.

Environmental Influences

Exposure to drugs and alcohol at an early age in social settings, can increase the likelihood of developing an addiction. Being in an environment where consuming substances is the norm may increase an individual’s intake of substances more than normal. Being exposed to stressful environments, trauma and abuse may also make an individual resort to substances in order to seek relief, hence making them more susceptible to addiction.

Behavioral Conditioning

Positive reinforcement can strengthen the desire to repeat the behavior (feelings of pleasure, relief from pain), and negative reinforcement, which may be to use the substances to alleviate negative feelings and feelings of pain may create a cycle of drug use and abuse.

Neurobiological Factors

Dopamine Pathways gets affected once an individual starts taking drugs repeatedly, leading to a hijacking of the pathways and compulsive behaviors. Chronic use of the substance may also alter the functional processes of the brain affecting impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation.

Signs and Symptoms of Drug abuse

Certain signs and symptoms may be helpful in identifying drug abuse - tolerance towards the drugs; thereby making one increase the quantity and intake of the drugs, withdrawal symptoms tends to occur if you are without the drugs for too long, your immediate environment is affected by the drug use, and there is a loss of control over the intake of the substances.

Society and Addiction

Addiction is a complex societal issue shaped by various factors, including cultural attitudes, socioeconomic conditions, family dynamics, and public health policies. Cultural perceptions influence the acceptability of substance use, while socioeconomic challenges like poverty and unemployment can increase vulnerability to addiction. Family environments, particularly those with a history of substance use, further perpetuate cycles of addiction. Stigmas around addiction hinder individuals from seeking help, emphasizing the need for integrated mental health and addiction services. Moreover, community support systems play vital roles in recovery, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts among individuals, families, and policymakers to address the multifaceted nature of addiction effectively.

Pathways to Recovery

There are effective ways of recovery for addiction. Professional treatment programmes which would include rehabilitation, provide high intensive care and support. Recovery in a structured environment allows the individuals to refocus and realign themselves with professional help. Medications also help in managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Support groups also provide an excellent support network and accountability through peers and individuals who know and understand what it’s like to go through addiction, and also have special programmes tailored to meet the needs of individuals going through recovery.

Building supportive social networks and distancing from negative influences are crucial for sustaining recovery. This also involves the immediate environment of the individual on returning back home after the rehabilitation programme. Relapse prevention is also crucial. Ongoing therapy, check-ins, and support groups help individuals transition back into daily life while maintaining their recovery focus.Learning to recognize triggers and develop coping strategies is essential for avoiding relapse.

How to Help Someone Going Through Addiction

Social support and the social environment is crucial during the recovery process for an individual who is overcoming addiction. The help received from a supportive circle has been shown and identified as the most influential factor. Having a strong support from the family, and other support-help groups help the individual abstain, having a network of individuals who are non-substance abusers aid in the recovery process. Addiction often leaves one isolated and alone, hence community and social support is important. Galatians 6:2 says – "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says – "Two are better than one... For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow." Community support can show the individuals that they are loved and cared for, providing prayer, encouragement and accountability, and don't have to go through the struggle alone.

Professional help and a supportive environment goes hand in hand in helping an individual recover. A structured treatment process, along with support coming in from achieving goals and milestones encourages the individual to continue and persevere through the process. Self esteem of the individual also gets affected, so having an environment that encourages an individual, a place where they feel they belong, and rebuilding positive relationships can help improve the self esteem of the individual.

The Bible teaches us that transformation begins in the mind. Romans 12:2 says – "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." The word of God can change, renew and transform our destructive patterns of thought and behavior and replace them with God’s love, truth, and promise.

Encourage them to have faith and hope in God, trusting in His power to heal, and to be strengthened through His promises for us. Surrender our struggles to God, and knowing that God can work miracles in our lives and make us complete and whole. Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Our strength to overcome our challenges comes from God.

Psalm 46:1 says: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."This verse assures us that God is always available to provide support and strength in difficult times. We may not necessarily understand what is happening to us, or to the ones we love, but we can rely on God for help. We are not meant to go through life alone, and this means in both the good and bad times. As believers it is equally important to seek help when needed, as it is to help someone in need. As it says in Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ."

As we strive to understand and address this issue, it is vital to adopt a holistic approach that includes prevention, education, and comprehensive treatment options. By fostering open dialogue and reducing stigma, we can create an environment where individuals feel safe seeking help.Whether through prayer, seeking wise counsel, or relying on the support of friends and family, the Scriptures encourage individuals to embrace help as a vital part of their spiritual and emotional well-being. Together, we can support those struggling with addiction on their journey to recovery, promoting hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

(All information in this article is Public Domain)

References:

• Cristol, Hope, et al. “What Is Dopamine?” WebMD, WebMD, 14 June 2021.
• Giordano, Amanda. “What Exactly Is the Biopsychosocial Model of Addiction? | Psychology Today.” Www.psychologytoday.com, 10 July 2021.
• Young, Dr Andrew. “Addiction.” Openpress.sussex.ac.uk, 20 Feb. 2023, openpress.sussex.ac.uk/introductiontobiologicalpsychology/chapter/addiction/, https://doi.org/10.20919/ZDGF9829/15.