Substance abuse when an individual develops dependence or addiction to a substance to function in daily life. The person has no control over his/her impulses and to get a high the dependence on the substance with the amount of it increases. It is problem that affects younger generation more as compared to the other generations. A general consensus shows that the dependency is generally because of the peer pressure, social events or injury or medication or a result of huge amount of stress. Drinking for coping with emotional states is very common making the individual not aware that they have a drinking problem.
The addiction to a particular substance gives a hit to the individual compelling him to use and repeat the activity. Dopamine release in the brain can cause certain neurochemical imbalances. These generally have a condition that causes various mental health disorders. They involve impaired control over social judgment, disruption of everyday life and craving behaviours.
Moreover, the deliberating fact about addiction is that the individual still does it even though knowing its negative effect on physical and psychological health.
Why addiction is harmful:
- Causes disabilities
- Failing to meet the responsibilities
- Impulsive and Health issues
- Disturbed Sleeping Patterns
- Physical injury or illness
Theories of Addiction are as follows:
- Negative Reinforcement: It states that the user experiences cumulative and repetitive negative thoughts by the continuous repeated cycles of withdrawal and in toxification
- Positive Reinforcement: It states that the user states that he enjoys using drugs
- Incentive Salience Model: It states that the user experiences craving as a result of non-exposure to the drugs.
- Stimulus Learning Model: It states that users form habits as a result of substance addiction. People are tuned to get high after using drugs, making it harder to quit drugs and work towards quitting smoking.
Causal Factors of Addiction:
- Biological Factors:
The genes increase half the chances for developing addiction disorder. Variations in liver enzymes can increase the physiological cause for developing addiction. Males are more likely to develop substance use disorder and females are more likely a subject to in toxification effects.
- Psychological Factors:
Impulsive behaviours are the main causes for developing disorder alongside it might be the major issue for relapse too. Early exposure to such grave experiences can make the individual’s coping ability fall easily reducing the minds sensibility thus increasing the risk for substance use disorder. Depression, PTSD, Anxiety increases the risk for addiction.
- Environmental Factors:
Poor quality of parent child relationship, divorce, sexual abuse thus all such factors relating to the families can have severe consequences with the individual developing addiction. Easy availability of alcohol or other substances in home can cause addiction too. Social and peer influences accounts for huge number of causal factors of addiction. Unemployment may be the major reason for the person developing addiction.
Implications of Addiction Counselling:
Addiction Counselling can take place in many or different forms. It involves discussing the life of the individual in the aspect of behaviour and its impact on the lives of the individual.
The problematic and addictive elements of the problem are discussed first in order to assist the individual with achieving their goals and better satisfaction of life. It is also helpful in assessing personal fears and anxiety which may be experiencing. It involves in-depth evaluation of the individual’s behavioural pattern and enables the person to reach a level of self-understanding that’s an important for recovery. It also helps in rebuilding and having better social and intrapersonal relationships.
Treatment for Addiction/ De-addiction:
Addiction is a treatable condition and complete recovery is quite even possible. Recovery is a long process and may involve multiple attempts and relapse also occurs in the phase of recovery. Addiction surrounds various aspects of the life of the individual so a treatment program that surrounds those dimensions is important.
- Detoxification:
It refers to the process where the body is cleansed of the substance and the management of the withdrawal symptoms starts. It is process that helps the individual slowly ween or reduce his/her dependence over the substance.
- Psychotherapies
Staying sober is the main implication of the therapy. Once the individual is maintaining sobriety, adaptive skills and developmental patterns for betterment of life starts which can be helpful in regaining physical and emotional health.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Addiction Therapy: This helps the individual recognizing his/her thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It helps in changing negative behavioural patterns and irrational thoughts and behaviours to rational ones.
- Group Therapy: This helps in maintaining sobriety and achieving full potential with the help of the group. This group helps to avoid substance and have a meeting called “Addiction Anonymous” sharing their experiences thus helping the individuals envision their journey after giving up alcohol.
Self Help groups: Seeking help from a support group can be very helpful during addiction treatment. Talking to someone who understands your feelings and can share tips and experiences can help you feel less alone.
Conclusion:
Addiction is risky for both the person and the community. Individuals may have health troubles, mental health problems, dangerous conduct, and legal issues as a result. Substance misuse can raise the expense of health issues and lost productivity for societies. Additionally, it may exacerbate societal issues like crime. Taking help and having a positive social group and having a favouring environment can help the person take on the problem of addiction
If you are looking for “Online counselling in India“, contact TalktoAngel, a platform that connects the best online therapists with online counsellor
