Addiction is a problem that many people face regardless of age and gender. What starts as a fun habit, soon starts to take on gigantic proportions. Families break, jobs are lost, emotional problems are abound and self-esteem is at an all-time low. Many people also harm themselves or kill themselves under the influence of substances.
Why do people abuse?
More and more research is suggesting that while many people try out different drugs and substances when they are young, very few go on to make it a habit. So what differentiates the two groups of people? Earlier it was thought that some people are predisposed to being addicted because of their biological tendencies or because they grow up in homes where the parent was an addict. However, the newest wave of research is showing that the single most important factor that differentiates an addict from a non-addict is how meaningful he or she finds life.
In an experiment, rats were given a spiked drink. When they were not given anything to do with their time, many of the rats drank more and more of the spiked drink. However, when rats were given the choice between a play-yard with obstacle courses and other such objects, many chose to go to the play-yard and did not choose the spiked drink.
In many research studies, it has been found that people who are addicted find it very difficult to make life meaningful without the use of the substance. Therefore, they escape into using the substance in order to not address the boredom or anxiety that life brings.
With therapy or counselling, a conversation can be had about meaningfulness. The therapist and client can slowly find out the triggers to drinking and what is it that the client is trying to escape. Since therapy is a safe space, the client can then unravel these emotional conflicts that they were trying to run away from. With the use of therapies like cognitive behavior therapy and motivational interviewing, the client can be motivated to give up the substance. Some clients may need to use psychiatric medication initially, but over time, they can manage with therapy. Slowly and gradually, they can reach their goals and give up the substance. They can also find something meaningful to dedicate their life towards.
https://www.typeathought.com/c/Alcohol-smoking-substance-abuse-addiction
More mental counselling resources:
http://mentalcounsellingtypeathought.jigsy.com/
https://medium.com/@typeathoughtcounsellingblog
https://kinja.com/mentalcounsellingblog
Why do people abuse?
More and more research is suggesting that while many people try out different drugs and substances when they are young, very few go on to make it a habit. So what differentiates the two groups of people? Earlier it was thought that some people are predisposed to being addicted because of their biological tendencies or because they grow up in homes where the parent was an addict. However, the newest wave of research is showing that the single most important factor that differentiates an addict from a non-addict is how meaningful he or she finds life.
In an experiment, rats were given a spiked drink. When they were not given anything to do with their time, many of the rats drank more and more of the spiked drink. However, when rats were given the choice between a play-yard with obstacle courses and other such objects, many chose to go to the play-yard and did not choose the spiked drink.
In many research studies, it has been found that people who are addicted find it very difficult to make life meaningful without the use of the substance. Therefore, they escape into using the substance in order to not address the boredom or anxiety that life brings.
With therapy or counselling, a conversation can be had about meaningfulness. The therapist and client can slowly find out the triggers to drinking and what is it that the client is trying to escape. Since therapy is a safe space, the client can then unravel these emotional conflicts that they were trying to run away from. With the use of therapies like cognitive behavior therapy and motivational interviewing, the client can be motivated to give up the substance. Some clients may need to use psychiatric medication initially, but over time, they can manage with therapy. Slowly and gradually, they can reach their goals and give up the substance. They can also find something meaningful to dedicate their life towards.
https://www.typeathought.com/c/Alcohol-smoking-substance-abuse-addiction
More mental counselling resources:
http://mentalcounsellingtypeathought.jigsy.com/
https://medium.com/@typeathoughtcounsellingblog
https://kinja.com/mentalcounsellingblog
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