Addiction is one of the most difficult behaviors to overcome, and full recovery is a process that often takes years. If you or a loved one have struggled with addiction, you understand the courage, sacrifice, and effort required to seek help and to work toward a better life. Recovering addicts typically do best when surrounded by a strong support system, which is why addiction counseling is such a crucial component in the healing process.
Addiction takes many forms
There are many different types of addiction, and you or your loved one’s specific struggle may be the result of several, overlapping conditions. While there are a limited number of true addictions recognized by psychologists, any behavior practiced in the extreme can be considered an addiction.
The addictions that most commonly come to mind are addictions to substances like alcohol, drugs, and food—but the scope reaches far beyond the realm of substance abuse. Pornography, sex, gambling, shopping, video games, adrenaline, exercise, and work are all examples of possible culprits for addiction. Even if your behavior patterns do not fit the typical mold of addiction, the road to recovering from your problems is vastly similar.
The first steps toward recovery
For many addicts, initially kicking a bad habit is just the beginning. Once someone has been clean from an addiction for a short period of time, it can be daunting to realize that there is a lifelong battle ahead. While it is admirable for an individual to begin the recovery process on his or her own, most people are unable to sustain their new lifestyle without creating a support network and developing new coping habits—and the main benefit of addiction counseling is that it provides a way to accomplish both.
As you seek to abandon your old, unhealthy ways, you will need new, positive things to fill your time with. Getting rid of addiction means finding alternate ways to spend your days and choosing new coping mechanisms to help you handle the curveballs of life. You become addicted to substances, activities, and behaviors because of the way they make you feel—due to either chemicals or a naturally achieved high or low. You will initially feel a large void in your life as you actively work to leave your addiction behind you, and your greatest chance of success is in restructuring your entire approach to solving life’s problems.
The structure of addiction therapy
Addiction therapy seeks to help addicts with three problems:
1. Recovering from the physical and emotional damage caused by their addiction.
2. Learning healthy, sustainable habits that can take the place of negative behaviors in the future.
3. Uncovering the root cause of the addiction.
Because of the overwhelming nature of addiction, most addiction therapies focus heavily on the role other people play in recovery. Group meetings, family therapy, couples counseling, and 12-step programs are all commonly found in addiction therapy curriculum. A solid support system is usually necessary in order to achieve full recovery and freedom from the bonds of addiction.
Recovering addicts, family, friends, and therapists can help you move forward with your life in several ways. First, they ensure you are held accountable for your actions. 12-step programs & anonymous meeting groups provide a safe place for you to discuss your progress and share your fears, setbacks, and hopes. You do not need to worry about judgment or rebuke in these settings, which can be reassuring if you are struggling or feeling lost.
Second, your support network can be an influence for good in your life. As you recover from an addiction, it is quite possible that triggering people and situations will surround you—friends who are still struggling to overcome their behaviors, buildings or homes where you experienced your addiction, cultures that encourage and endorse negative, addictive behaviors—and you will be tempted to relapse. By surrounding yourself with people who love and want the best for you, you will be better equipped to resist urges and to participate in different, healthier activities. The company you keep during your recovery can ultimately make or break your progress, and it is important to have all the help you possibly can.
If you have decided to change your life and seek recovery from your addiction, do not hesitate to use every resource available to you. The help of addiction therapists, coupled with the support of your loved ones, can mean the difference between a future filled with freedom and a lifetime filled with regret.
About the author
Janet Traylor earned both her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and BS in Psychology from Regent University. She graduated cum laude from her undergraduate program and was later awarded an Academic Merit Scholarship for graduate study. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and has utilized sand tray therapy, expressive art therapy, play therapy and equine therapy. She’s a member of several professional organizations, including the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists and the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors. She currently works in a group practice at Caldwell-Clark in San Diego. For more information call (858) 255-0089.