By Barbara Pierce
Addiction or clinically referred to as substance use disorder, is a complicated pattern of substance use that affects one’s health and well-being.
Some of the most common substances abused include alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and marijuana. The degree of addiction can range from mild to severe addiction. SUD is a treatable mental health condition. Help is available.
Beth Harris, licensed clinical social worker in Herkimer, has treated people with addictive behaviors for 18 years. We asked her what was important to know about this disorder.
1 —What exactly is addiction?
A: Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you. Commonly, most people refer to addiction as an addiction to substances such as drugs, alcohol and nicotine. Most of us have some form of addiction. We can become addicted to drugs or alcohol, but we can also become addicted to the internet, social media, food, shopping, work, sex, gambling, even love. Addiction is a wide spectrum. It’s a complex diagnosis. The majority of the clients I see who have addictions generally have a dual diagnosis. This means they have more than one clinical diagnosis. Sometimes it could be a combination of depression and addiction or anxiety and addiction, ADHD (attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder) and addiction or even multiple different disorders.
2 — Who is at risk of becoming addicted?
A: Several research studies show an individual’s risk of becoming addicted can be linked to their environment and genetics. A family history can play a great role in predisposition for addiction. Sometimes other factors in our environment can trigger addiction — such as mental health issues, unemployment, high stress environments or professional pressure and domestic violence.
3 — Did myths surrounding addiction impact the field?
A: We need to debunk some myths about addiction. As a therapist who has worked in the field for 18 years, I always like to make it clear that addiction is not a reflection of someone’s morals or values. There is a much deeper root cause as to why someone falls into the grasp of addiction. The view of addiction as a moral failure, rather than a medical issue, was driven by historical and political agendas in past years. This resulted in stigmatizing language and attitudes, social exclusion and making use of illegal drugs a crime. This stopped people from seeking treatment.
Addiction is not a moral choice. Addiction is not an act of willpower. Addiction can be triggered by root causes and then potentially spiral into a very challenging behavioral habit loop. That habit loop may essentially become tangled into a physiological, psychological, and emotional stronghold.
When one is in the grasp of any type of addiction, the thinking part of the brain goes ‘offline’ and defaults to the behavioral habit loop. This is what makes quitting addiction so difficult. The ‘just say no’ mentality of the 1980s is not realistic.
In this day and age, we need to look at addiction in a different mindset and a more modern updated version. Starting fresh — looking at addiction as a medical and clinical manner is more accurate and backed by research.
4 — What does current treatment for addition look like?
A: I like to approach addiction with a not one size fits all 012mentality. Each individual seeking treatment should be approached with their own specific treatment plan and goals centered around what their desired outcomes may be.
Those treating a person with addiction must be meeting the client where they are. That means matching their readiness for change, starting with their actual needs instead of forcing an agenda; having no judgment about how this person feels and thinks right now. You may need to treat a client with active addiction using a harm reduction and motivational interviewing approach. This means focusing on safety, small steps and personal choice. Support the use of smaller goals, provide tools for safety and overdose prevention, like naloxone.
There are several different ways to approach addiction. For many, it begins with supervised detoxification to help safely manage withdrawal symptoms. After stabilization, ongoing support is needed, including medication, individual–group therapy, inpatient–outpatient services, short and long-term residential treatment, family and social support, self-care, 12 step groups, meditation, psychotherapy and many others.
We have to look at addiction as a complex disorder that is pertinent to tackle to reduce mortality and to improve long-lasting healthier outcomes.
Yes, that’s right. The threat to life and health is real. Substance use disorders have repeatedly been found to lead to premature death by disease, fatal intoxications or trauma (accidents, suicide, undetermined suicide and homicide), says the National Institute of Health online.
5 — Anything else?
A: In the Mohawk Valley, there are many resources that offer the whole range of treatment levels. Consult with your health care provider or search on the internet to locate the resource that will be the best starting point for you or your loved one.