Addiction

Author Tennessee Williams in his iconic work, The Glass Menagerie, eloquently and simply stated that “Time is the longest distance between two places.” Much of philosophical inquiry and scientific research of various disciplines has sought to define, manipulate, or even stop time. At once time is permanent and time is elusive. Time can be incredibly long and intolerable to endure or time can fly by without a chance of keeping up. A currency of life, time determines so much of what we do and how we do it. We are often told not to take time for granted and to make the most out of every moment.

Unfortunately, once we go to treatment to enter recovery from an alcohol addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, not everyone joins us. Though we take some time to heal and work on ourselves, the world outside continues on as it does. For those of us who come from social circles revolving around drinking activities, the prospect of returning can be daunting. Will we be able to stay friends with our friends, join them in outings, and partake in the festivities? The experience is different for each person, but here are some general and shared thoughts.

Sixty percent of people in relationships are not satisfied. Typical problems contribute: finances, stress, lackluster sex life, children, and smartphones. A decade ago, smartphones weren’t part of anyone’s problem. Since smartphones became an integrated part of life, study has been conducted to understand how deeply that integration goes. Various studies have revealed that smartphone interaction changes our brain chemistry, causes insomnia, contributes to depression, and can make us feel more isolated from the world.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, otherwise known as the “DSM” is in its fifth edition. The most recent edition of the DSM still does include a diagnosis for sex addiction or hypersexuality specifically. Hypersexuality is a common symptom of other mental disorders including bipolar, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder. Sex is not an external chemical substance that can cause substance abuse or chemical dependency. However, sex and sexual activity does produce chemicals in the brain which are the same as those produced by external chemicals. Dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin are all associated with sexual activity. In a manner similar to substance use and addiction, sex can produce a large amount of dopamine and cause cravings for more, as well as build a tolerance.

Recovery for mental health is a process of empowerment, self-actualization, and growth. Taking on the huge task of treatment and recovery is no small feat! Help yourself feel empowered in your journey with these simple practices.

12 months in a year. 12 steps in the 12 step program. Coincidence? In the beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous, meetings were held for newcomers to the program called “beginners meetings”. The point of the beginner’s meetings was to get the newcomers through the 12 step program as quickly and efficiently as possible. In a matter of just 5 weeks, the beginners meetings took new participants through all of the steps. After completing taking the steps, they received a card. Once upon a time there was such a thing as being a card carrying member of AA. Beginner’s meetings were helpful in helping someone have the necessary psychic change through a spiritual awakening advocated through the steps. Having had this spiritual awakening, they were ready to join other alcoholics in recovery at regular meetings. Completing the steps was critical to the development of the alcoholic in recovery.

Psychological, psychiatric, and substance use disorders can make us feel like we’ve been shut off from the world. In fact, many of us have put a lot of effort into making sure nobody can get in. From trauma and abuse in our past, we learned early on that letting people, places, and things in usually led to hurt, pain, more abuse, and disappointment. To keep ourselves safe we made the sacrifice of shutting down entirely. Recovery teaches us that we don’t have to hide anymore. Over time we can learn to open ourselves up to many wondrous things in the world, embracing all that life has to offer. We are given a way to live life fully.

Binge drinking and alcoholism are not one in the same, but share many similarities. Though long term binge drinking is more harmful, the effects of just one binge drinking episode can have negative effects.

Therapy is defined as the “treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder”. Despite the definition, a disorder is not required for therapy. Many people have issues, problems, or difficulties they need to sort out. Working with a psychological professional is helpful for getting a deeper understanding of oneself and how they relate to those around them. Treatment for drug and alcohol therapy goes hand in hand with therapy. Almost every treatment program around the world employs the use of therapy in various forms. Traditional talk therapy, which can incorporate different practices of therapy, is most common.

Sponsorship has changed throughout the years since Alcoholics Anonymous was first introduced in 1939. At the time of the founding of AA, the world struggled to find a permanent solution to the problem of alcoholism. Alcoholics were considered insane and found help only in hospitals and mental wards. Then, a group of men started using spiritual experiences as their foundation for recovery. One such man in particular discovered that having a spiritual awakening, talking with other alcoholics, and helping those still drink come to sobriety helped him stay sober. That man was Bill Wilson, who became the founding father of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Young people are always at a higher risk for developing addiction. Today, in a marketing centered world, the word addiction is used rather loosely. For the tech-savvy millennial generation, addiction applies to the internet, to smart devices, to food, and anything they do. Rather than being a criticism on the influential youth, the addictive tendencies of the millennial generation are an indication of their neurochemistry.

Check the labels all you want, you’ll rarely see the word “sugar”. Today, sugar and its analogous compounds run under 61 different names, making their way into over 70% of all processed and packaged foods. Humans are supposed to consume, at most, just over 100 calories of sugar today. For Americans who consume a mostly packaged and processed diets, they could be consuming up to five times that amount of sugar each day without even eating a single sweet. Added sugar is a problem under great controversy in America. Many feel that it is added and processed sugar which contributes to food addiction, eating disorders, and poor physical health including problems of obesity. America has one of the worst obesity problems in the world. Simultaneously, America boasts a high rate of child starvation as well as a high rate of child obesity.