Addiction - What is It?

When the word 'addiction' is mentioned it very often stirs up an abundance of thoughts, feelings and behaviours within an individual, there appears to be a sudden change in interest and attention from people. Being an addiction counsellor and hypnotherapist I witness this when I am asked what my line of work is; from my hairdresser to the postman they all suddenly feel the need to tell me that they 'have a friend' who has a problem with alcohol or drugs.
Addiction appears to have been in our society forever and it doesn't seem to be leaving us either. The word 'addict' was first used in 1529 and comes from the Latin 'addictus' meaning 'deliver, yield, devote. Addiction can be devotion or an attachment or a dedication although nowadays addiction is described more of a recurring and uncontrollable compulsion and obsession which can lead to traumatic, damaging and fatal consequences.
There are various chemicals which can cause addictions in people, some of the more common are: alcohol, tobacco, heroin and cocaine and of course there are certain foods i.e. chocolate. There are also various behaviours which can cause addiction such as: gambling, sex, eating, the internet and co-dependency in relationships.
When the centre of the body's nervous system, the brain or specifically the reward system within the brain is stimulated either by a chemical such as cocaine or through behaviours such as sex or eating, it reacts by releasing or 'firing off' natural endorphins like dopamine, resulting in a heightened 'feel good' factor or euphoria. The results are then stored in the subconscious mind which records them as a reward.
All addictive chemicals and behaviours have two things in common:
1 They produce a pleasurable effect by working on the brain's natural reward system often resulting in an unpleasant effect when the chemical or behaviour wears off and:
2 They create a chemical imbalance resulting in a physical and sometimes mental demand for the chemical or behaviour resulting in loss of control followed by habit and addiction.
In my experience as an addiction counsellor using addictions therapy and having worked with thousands of addiction clients, the addiction can be a great 'remover', not only will it take one's family, job, car, house and finances, it will also remove one's self-esteem and self-worth, it will remove confidence, hope and faith, it will take away the ability to identify emotions and it will distort and eventually reduce or even remove the person's belief in themselves leaving them without goals, dreams and a purpose in life.
Addiction can also leave a person riddled with negative personality traits including blaming and denial, the 'victim' will tend to justify their behaviours and find excuses to continue to do what they do regardless of who or what it effects, they can become irresponsible and dishonest and they are usually defensive and resistant to making changes, they also tend to have issues with control, lack of assertion, anger and resentment.
Most addictions have horrendous consequences for the 'user', their family; friends, society and everyone around them are affected, usually a trail of destruction and chaos is left behind to be mopped up. Addiction is a very powerful force and in most cases being aware of the consequences of 'using' is not enough for someone to stop their addictive thinking or behaviours and overcoming addiction.
Integrating addiction counselling with Cognitive Behavourial Therapy (CBT) and clinical hypnotherapy can help in overcoming addiction and help the person reach a full recovery. During addictions therapy, in most cases all of the above personality traits need to be looked at and explored with the client as well as helping them work through the shame, guilt and lack of trust which arises when someone stops their addictive behaviours. The cause of some or all of these negative traits can be deep rooted within the person and working through their issues to the root cause of their problem can eventually lead the person towards forgiveness, hope and feelings of gratitude.

The Importance of Family Involvement in Substance Abuse Treatment and Addiction Therapy

For family and friends of drug and/or alcohol addicted individuals, addressing addiction is one of the most difficult aspects of seeking substance abuse treatment. Often, drug and alcohol addiction has built a destructive cycle over a time to the point where daily family involvement actually enables the addicted individual. Family members frequently do not know how to bring up the issue of addiction therapy, and opt to ignore the problem for fear of pushing their loved one away during a confrontation or intervention. These are legitimate concerns, and while families should understand that approaching their loved one should be a gentle and supportive process, they also need to understand that most patients seek substance abuse treatment because of positive family involvement and intervention.
Prior to Substance Abuse Treatment/Intervention
Each family is different, and the way you should approach family involvement with addiction therapy will differ with every person. There are counselors in your area who are trained to work with drug and alcohol addicted patients and their families, and while they can be useful to mediate the intervention process, your family may decide to have a private, non-confrontational and honest talk with a family member or friend to implore them to seek substance abuse treatment. Whichever approach you take, it is important to understand that the family dynamic in drug and alcohol addiction is incredibly powerful, and that addressing an unhealthy imbalance in communication is your first step in moving your loved one toward inpatient / outpatient addiction therapy. This type of positive family involvement can also help lead the rest of your family toward a journey of recovery and self-discovery.
During a Patient's Substance Abuse Treatment Program
After an intervention, the best case scenario is that the individual suffering from drug or alcohol addiction will be compelled to enter either an inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment program. Each patient's needs and means are different, and outpatient and inpatient programs have varying benefits for patients and family. Involvement in an outpatient addiction therapy program means that patients are not separated from their families, they are able to attend classes in a facility close to their home, and patients can continue substance abuse treatment for an extended amount of time. In a residential (inpatient) program, patients travel to a facility where they undergo an intensive 28-30 day detoxification and recovery program. They are immersed in the recovery process and do not have the ability to leave the substance abuse treatment campus. However, family involvement is important, and inpatient addiction therapy programs often encourage frequent interaction with visiting family and friends.
As previously mentioned, patients' needs vary, but inpatient substance abuse treatment has an obvious benefit of removing the drug and/or alcohol addicted individual from the toxic atmosphere that was enabling their addiction, and helping them through addiction therapy without distraction. This same benefit is transferred to the patient's friends and family, who are often able to gain a new perspective about their loved one's addiction and their own behaviors. Family involvement, once the patient is in an off-site substance abuse treatment facility, is periodic and helps families step back and recognize patterns of negative behavior. For example, well-meaning family and friends often become trapped into a cycle of enabling and codependency with the patient prior to addiction therapy. Often, family members pretend like nothing is wrong, and unintentionally assist the patient's addiction by ignoring the problem. Conversely, family members might become distant, angry, and resentful by feeling that they cannot address the issue for fear of angering the patient or exacerbating their loved one's addiction. When the family members are able to take a break and assess their behaviors and environment while their loved one is undergoing addiction therapy, they often identify behaviors and traits that they adjust to break the cycle.
This is not to say that residential substance abuse treatment programs isolate the patient from their friends and family - quite the opposite. In a quality residential substance abuse treatment program, the focus is equally upon the patient's physical recovery from drug and alcohol addiction as much as it is on a mental recovery from the addictive disease. Addiction therapy is supported heavily by positive and frequent family involvement. The support that a family provides to a patient recovering from addiction is essential to that patient's success, and residential centers will often have not only visitation throughout the week or on weekends, but will also engage family into an educational substance abuse treatment program of their own, such as supportive and dynamic recovery workshops and sessions for family involvement.
Outside of the residential substance abuse treatment facility, family and friends of patients are highly encouraged to attend Al Anon or Nar Anon meetings. These free programs are held around the nation and are dedicated to providing group support to family and friends of drug and alcohol addicted individuals. The meetings address things such as: helping an addict seek assistance for his or her own problem, addressing a loved one's drug or alcohol addiction, building family through the addiction therapy process, supporting yourself and your loved one through the recovery process, etc. These programs are essential for family involvement, as they support friends and family during and after the substance abuse treatment program.
After a Substance Abuse Treatment Program
With drug and alcohol addiction, there is truly no clear-cut "end" to the addiction therapy process. Families struggling with the effects of their loved one's drug and alcohol addiction should continually attend Al Anon or Nar Anon meetings (perhaps both) on a regular basis to continue a constructive program of support and ongoing education. Alcohol and drug addiction are both considered "family diseases", and family involvement with people combating drug and alcohol addiction requires continual attendance of these meetings during and after the formal inpatient or outpatient addiction therapy session. Additionally, while these meetings help individuals to understand the disease of drug and alcohol addiction to help and support someone they care about, they also assist friends and family with their own emotional support during what is most often an incredibly trying and stressful time. By continuing to attend Al Anon and Nar Anon meetings, friends and family of an addicted individual can continue to stay out of the destructive cycle of enabling and codependency and fully realize the benefits of addiction therapy.

Steven Gifford, LICDC, LPC, currently serves as Senior Counselor at The Ridge, a residential treatment center in Ohio. Since 1998, he has worked in the Licking Memorial Hospital -- Shepherd Hill treatment center located in Newark, Ohio. Mr. Gifford's areas of competence include individual counseling, assessments, group counseling, diagnosis and treatment, children and adolescents, marriage and family therapy, addictions and smoking cessation. He is a member of the Ohio Counseling Association and is a LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), LICDC (Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor), CTTS (Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist) and has a Masters Degree in Education in Community Counseling. For more information about the Ridge,

Why Not All Porn Addiction Therapy Is The Same

Most people would think that joining any porn addiction therapy would immediately result in recovery from pornography addiction. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. By reading the following article, we will not only outline the key difference between most porn addiction therapy but we will also point out things you should look for and what would be ideal for you.
Different Kinds Of Therapy
Now as mentioned above, there tons of different services. You can find some given locally as well as some online. These therapy sessions can be given in so many different ways, its hard to even say whether most of them work or not. Some are more faith-based while others are more theory-based. It will truly be up to you to decide what you want.
Online vs. Offline: Which Is Better?
There are probably just as much online porn addiction therapy program, e-book and courses and there are offline. That being said, which one is better? If you want a short answer, it would be online. If you want the long answer why its better is simply because you can stray anonymous and not have to show yourself in person which will not be the case will the local method. Even if you join an anon group, you will still have to show you face and you might compromise your identity.
How Do I Know If It Will Work?
Its hard to say whether a porn addiction therapy will work or not. Some of them might make you free from porn for a few weeks or even months but will not last. That being said, you should try to look into the program and look for feed-backs and reviews. Obviously, you should look into something that can help you recover and give you lasting results.
To sum all of this up, try not to come to a quick conclusion when looking into a porn addiction therapy. Some people jump on the program too fast without really knowing if it will really make a different or not. You might want to do a more in-dept research before jumping into it as some of them might even have negative consequences. Remember that not all porn addiction therapy are the same and if you find something that seems a bit out of hand, don't be shy to keep looking for something better. Again, you want something that will have lasting results, not a temporary fix.

Drug Addiction Therapy Services Eliminate Drug Craving

For those seeking help for drug addiction, the drug addiction therapy services offered by drug rehabs can be of great help. There are many drug addiction programs available at rehab centers, which can be tailored according to individual case history. One of the most common and renowned therapy services provided is behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes psychotherapy, counseling, family therapy and support groups. Prescribed medications also provide assistance in suppressing withdrawal symptoms, particularly drug craving.
In addition to behavioral therapy, group therapy is another effective treatment for addiction. The group sessions help patients share their problems with others. These types of sessions are effective in building the social skills and self confidence essential for recovery.
Another beneficial drug therapy service available at rehab is out patient treatment. Outpatient therapy allows patients to live at home while undergoing treatment. This allows patients to continue to work while being treated for addiction. Outpatient treatment includes drug education, individual and group counseling, and case management.
Outpatient therapy is a comprehensive, multifaceted and a customized program that allows the patient far more freedom than a residential program. This kind of program is often more focused on education than other drug addiction therapy services.
Among drug therapy services, another effective therapy is the detox program. This drug addiction therapy program will help the drug addict to get through drug withdrawal safely. A detox program makes this often painful process as comfortable as possible. A detox program is then followed by therapy and other treatment to reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Gambling Addiction Therapy

Gambling addiction is not easy to cure because many gamblers don't even realise that they have a gambling problem. This is not because they are stupid, on the contrary most gamblers are bright people whose minds are focused too much on the routine of gambling to ever even consider the bigger picture of what impact this behavior is having on their life and their loved ones. The biggest self delusion a gambler has to deal with is that the odds are in your favor and that you will make money.
Gambling is not about the money, it is a psychological illness and it affects not only the gambler but everyone around them.
The adrenalin fueled psychological roller coaster that is gambling addiction requires firstly that the gambler realises that there is a way to break this cycle of self destructive behaviour. Willpower alone will probably not be sufficient as many gamblers constantly tell themselves and their loved ones that they are giving it up, but they go back to it once they have the money to do so. The problem rests with the subconscious mind and sometimes hypnosis is required to break that pattern of negative behaviour and replace it with positive thoughts and actions.
By addressing the problem from within the unconscious mind, you can reprogram the way you think about the whole concept of gambling.
You will probably know this already but consider for a moment the benefits of quitting gambling.
No More Debt.
No More Worries about bills and creditors.
No More relationship problems and having to hide your addiction from your partner.
Regain your self esteem and trust from your loved ones.
Free your mind from guilt and negative thoughts about losses.
Take responsibility for your actions, let go and move on.
Have more time to enjoy life and stop thinking about gambling altogether.
If gambling were a business, ask yourself, would I spend so many years trying to make this business work or would I find a more profitable way of making money?
Life is short, if you're a compulsive gambler can you afford to waste any more time on this vicious cycle of self destructive behaviour?
You can beat it by taking positive action. It will mean making life changes, i.e removing yourself from the environment which encourages you to gamble. Finding something else to occupy your mind. Hypnotherapy can help you in your battle against gambling addiction by reprogramming your subconscious mind from gambler to "non gambler."

Hooked On Yoga - Addicts Turn to Yoga

Addiction is defined as the psychological and physical dependence on a form of drugs, or a continued involvement with a person or activity. There are often major consequences to being addicted to something, or someone. You may not be able to control your life, or actions, and this can result in a rapid downward spiral. When you are addicted to something you will have clear moments of remission, and relapses causing often in self hating. Without some form of treatment, and support the addiction will continue.
Although admitting you have a problem is the first stage of addiction therapy, finding a way to focus your mind is the next step. Many people have addictive behaviors, and they can usually control the urges they have. However, for some people this is far harder, and they will need to find some way to channel their mind, and body. Yoga is the perfect way to help channel positive energy, and refocus the mind, body, and soul. Participating in yoga can not only help addicts to deal with their addictions, but also give them a fun way to spend their leisure time.
Yoga is known to have amazing affects on recovering addicts, and helps them to take control of their lives. The yoga techniques that are taught are to help balance your mind, and inner strength to allow you to beat the demons. You do not need to be physically strong, and your mind can be weak at the beginning. However, within a few sessions you will feel your mind and body growing in strength. Your core muscles will begin to strengthen making you feel stronger physically, and mentally. This inner strength will allow you to take control, and not give into the urges you will be feeling.
Regular sessions of yoga will teach you how to breathe deeply, and focus on getting through your addiction. Concentration is essential, and you will need to clear your mind, and channel the energy through your body. The development of your mind and concentration levels will help you to make clear decisions. As you become stronger you will make the right decisions, and not give way to your old weaker side. The yoga sessions can give you the focus that you need to get back on the right path. Many people drift of the correct path in their life, and simply need a helping hand to get back on it.
Yoga is excellent, and can help many different people with addictive personalities. However, due to the nature of the person learning the yoga, many will actually become addicted to this. For some people addiction simply shifts from one thing to another, and settles on the last activity they do. Although you may be still showing signs of addiction, there are far worse things you can be addicted to other than yoga. As long as you are sensible with the yoga sessions there is no harm in wanting to do more, and more. It is far better on your mind, and body to be addicted to something as calming as yoga.

Therapy for Sex Addiction: Dealing With Intimacy

Any definition, discussion or exploration of compulsive sexuality begins thusly:
"Sex addiction is an intimacy disorder characterized by" blah, blah, blah.
Then it goes on to name the symptoms: pre-occupation with thoughts sexual; persistent, unrelenting urges to sexually act out; continued use despite adverse consequences, loss of control and so forth.
Such definitions are frustratingly vague. While emphasis is given to the symptoms of sex addiction, the idea of it being "an intimacy disorder" never seems to be addressed. This is unfortunate, indeed. I think a "disordered" pattern of intimate relations is at the core and foundation of this debilitating syndrome.
Vanilla sex addiction, fetishism, exhibitionism/voyeurism, BDSM, and all the other various and moribund kinds of sexual perversions are fueled by the very basic (and healthy) motivation to connect.
Sadly, somehow or other, the urge to connect is misfired. Rather than seeking a real relationship with a real person who might, in fact, satisfy some of one's real relational needs, the sexually compulsive tries to connect with the "unreal" in fantasy. It is a solo act. Sex, for a person who has a perversion or addiction, is always a narcissistic, self-centered endeavor. It is not related sex. The endorphin rush of the sexual high is so dear to them that it precludes any idea of sharing sexual pleasure with a cherished one in the service of enhancing a bond.
What is intimacy?
Let's look at the word "intimacy". From the dictionary: the word is derived from the Latin intima, meaning "inner" or "inner-most." The definition suggests that to be intimate, you need to know your real self. This ability to be in touch with our inner core is a requisite to being intimate.
Our intima holds the innermost part of ourselves, our most profound feelings, our enduring motivations, our values, our sense of right and wrong and our most embedded convictions about life. Importantly, our intima also includes that which enables us to express these innermost aspects of our person to "the other".
So, to be in relationship, and to know yourself/your partner sexually, you need to know and respect your intima. The intima is also the way in which we value and esteem ourselves and determines how we are with being with others. To put it simply, if don't value yourself, you can't value another. If you're not aware of needs and wants, or are shamed by them, then sex becomes no more than a fuck.
I think every person I've ever seen in my consulting room for sexual compulsions suffers from estrangement from his intimus. We can survive the disapproval of others. The feeling can be painful, but it's nothing compared to the disapproval of ourselves. Your personal well being and your ability to love another cannot survive your dislike or disrespect of yourself. If you dislike yourself, you'll never be comfortable with your sexuality.
It bears repeating... the outstanding quality of intimacy is the sense of being in touch with our real selves. When "the other" also knows and is able to express his/her real self, intimacy happens. Sexuality is both an expression of that intimacy and a bond that enhances intimacy. With this kind of personal/sexual intimacy, our growth experience as humans is energized, enhanced, and fueled. Intimacy is the most meaningful and courageous of human experiences. It's why people long for it so.
The Perils of Intimacy
However, despite this universal longing, fear and avoidance of intimacy is a reality for many people. People fear and even dread that which they most long for. No wonder there's such a demand for psychotherapists!
So why would people fear, avoid or sabotage this wonderful thing called intimacy and, in the process, avoid person-related sex?
Sexual compulsion is the end point, the tip of the iceberg, if you will, of a long history of developmental events that begin in early attachment difficulties with caretakes, subsequent overwhelming experiences the child is unable to assimilate, an impaired ability to regulate feelings and impaired self-development.
The capacity for bonding with others is vital for human survival and well-being. Our capacity for intimacy is formed in the crucible of the first two years of life. Mothers that are needy, narcissistic, depressed, enmeshed (over-involved), distant, too protective, controlling, chronically angry, addicted to substances, frustrated with their husbands and displace their needs onto their children... raise children who have the psychic imprint of closeness as being dangerous. They also raise children who will carry self-hatred into their adult lives unless they get good treatment.
If the child's need for attention, soothing, stimulation, affection, touch, discipline, validation, and so on goes unmet, or is met with feedback that is punishing, invalidating or rejecting, the consequences are woven into the structure of the developing personality. Such children may turn into themselves and disconnect from others, regulating their emotions through the use of substances or process addiction, like sex. They fail to learn to utilize others to soothe or comfort themselves. This increases the child's vulnerability to mental health problems. These people actively seek familiar environmental interaction, thereby recreating and reenacting familiar early rejections and frustrations with others. They spend their lives further cementing their original isolation.
They develop a rigid defense system (boundaries, walls, turning inward to not need others) in order to psychologically survive. But what worked for them as children doesn't work for them as adults. For these people, the vulnerability of intimacy harkens back to a time when they were vulnerable as children and they fear re-traumatization in their current relationship.
When a person like this is loved - seen in an affirmative light and encouraged to grow and change - this rigid defensive structure is threatened, so their psychological equilibrium is disrupted. Being loved is not congruent with the negative tapes they run about themselves. They can't allow the reality of being loved to affect their basic defensive structure. Being vulnerable and open to change feels so threatening that they eschew close relationships and mature sexuality.
Entering into a relationship without having some resolution of childhood wounds results in various kinds of fear of intimacy: fear of being found inadequate, fear of engulfment, fear of the loss of control, fear of losing autonomy, fear of attack, fear of disappointment and betrayal, fear of guilt and fear of rejection and abandonment and so forth.
For this reason, I believe that current sex addiction therapy doesn't go far enough. Focusing on symptom change techniques, such as relapse prevention, abstinence and social skills training, is necessary, but not sufficient. Successful treatment for sexual compulsions ultimately depends on a depth-approach that can ameliorate the underlying attachment disorders and manifestations in adult intimacy. Literally, a new pattern of way of attaching needs to be "carved" into the brain - the person learns a totally different model of relating.