Addiction is a complicated disease for a number of reasons. When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, their brains become so accustomed to receiving more of the substance they are addicted to that their thoughts begin to center around finding and using more drugs or alcohol. When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol they will do whatever it takes to continue using, and often this means operating under a system of denial wherein the addict does not admit to others or themselves that they have a problem. Denial is one of the strongest mechanisms that addiction uses to continue. Once a person is able to work through denial and admit that they do in fact have a problem, they may be able to find a whole new life of happiness and health.
Admitting There is a Problem is the First and Necessary Step
The reality of addiction and recovering from addiction is that no real work can be done while an addict is in denial about the fact that they have a problem. Recovery from addiction requires the resolve to undergo major treatment and serious work, and no one but the addict themselves can make an addict take part in this kind of work if they are not ready to take that step themselves.
In order for the process of healing and recovery to begin, an addict must admit that they have a problem so that they can commit fully to the steps necessary to work toward recovery. If an addict has not reached this level of self awareness or is still living in denial, it will be difficult, if not impossible for them to get healthy.
Understanding That There Is a Problem Makes Way For Finding Solutions
Once a recovering addict has admitted that they have a problem, they may begin to make real and meaningful changes in their life. When the problem of drug or alcohol addiction has been addressed, a recovering addict can begin to work with their therapist and other professionals to understand why drug or alcohol addiction started and what was driving the recovering addict to use.
Often, people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol use for a variety of reasons that may have emotional roots. It is not uncommon for an addict to feel the desire to use when they are feeling angry or sad. In treatment, an addict can work through these issues and find ways to work through emotions in a healthy way that does not include the use of drugs or alcohol.
Hitting Rock Bottom
In many cases, a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol may not be able to admit to themselves or others that they have a problem until they have hit what many professionals in the substance abuse field refer to as rock bottom. Rock bottom describes a situation where an addict’s life has spiraled so out of control that they are no longer able to live a manageable life in any way.
Rock bottom may also refer to one specific incident that addicts view as a wake up call. This may be a very serious or potentially dangerous incident that allows an addict to realize and admit that they do in fact have a problem with drugs or alcohol.
Although no one wants to experience the lows associated with rock bottom, addiction is a very powerful disease and sometimes it can be very difficult or impossible for the mind to stop the pattern of denial without an incident or point that shows an addict just how unmanageable their life has become.