Dealing with Addiction
Addiction is often misunderstood, sometimes viewed through the lens of stigma, shame, or moral failing. But from a clinical and human perspective, addiction is a chronic condition that affects the brain, body, and spirit. It’s a deeply personal struggle that radiates out to families and communities alike.
As a licensed professional counselor, I’ve heard many stories of addiction and recovery. Each story is unique, yet common threads emerge—tolerance, withdrawal, cravings, and often, co-occurring disorders that complicate and deepen the challenge. Understanding these elements is crucial for healing, whether you're someone facing addiction or someone who loves them.
Tolerance: When More Is Needed to Feel the Same
Tolerance develops when a person’s body adapts to a substance, requiring more of it to achieve the same effect. What may have started as a glass of wine to unwind or a prescription painkiller for an injury can gradually shift into needing more to function, feel normal, or avoid discomfort.
This change doesn’t reflect weakness—it’s a biological adaptation. Substances like alcohol, marijuana, and opioids alter the brain’s chemistry, particularly in areas that control pleasure, motivation, and decision-making. As tolerance builds, the risks increase, not just physically but emotionally and socially as well.
Withdrawal: The Body’s Alarm System
When someone tries to reduce or stop using a substance after developing dependence, withdrawal symptoms often follow. These symptoms can range from mild irritability and fatigue to severe nausea, tremors, anxiety, and even seizures, depending on the substance and duration of use.
Withdrawal is not just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous. That’s why professional support is so important. Detox under medical supervision and counseling during this phase can help ease symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse, providing both safety and encouragement.
Cravings: The Persistent Pull
Cravings are more than a simple desire—they’re a powerful, often overwhelming urge to use a substance. These can be triggered by stress, environmental cues, emotional distress, or even moments of celebration.
Cravings are rooted in the brain’s reward system and can persist long after physical withdrawal symptoms have faded. That’s why long-term recovery requires building coping skills, healthy habits, and emotional resilience. As I work with clients to change old patterns of addiction, we also work to build new routines and structures that will support a life of recovery. Mindfulness, support groups, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication-assisted treatment are all tools that can help manage cravings over time.
Co-Occurring Disorders: When Addiction Isn't Alone
Many people living with addiction also experience mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. These co-occurring disorders can be both a cause and a consequence of substance use, creating a complex, intertwined struggle.
Effective treatment must address both the addiction and the mental health challenges simultaneously. Ignoring one can make recovery from the other much harder. Integrated care, where professionals coordinate treatment for both conditions, is key to helping individuals achieve stability and long-term wellness.
A Message of Hope
Addiction can feel isolating, but recovery is possible—and it often begins with compassion. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or someone you care about, know that reaching out is a courageous first step.
I use motivational interviewing combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to support individuals struggling with addiction. These are nonjudgmental approaches that support people in making their own changes and maintaining them. Relapse is considered a normal part of the process of change, and we will work together to break free from the stigma of addiction to support recovery.