The pattern of addiction begins with an individual who, like most people in our society, is good intentioned and traveling through life to get somewhere. That somewhere varies from individual to individual, however that somewhere generally encompasses the individuals hopes, dreams, and goals for the future. This person encounters a problem or discomfort that they do not know how to resolve successfully. This could include problems such as difficulty “fitting in” as a child or teenager, anxiety due to peer pressure or work expectations, personal rejection loss or death, identity problems, or divorce. It can also include physical discomfort such as an injury or chronic pain.

The person experiencing the discomfort has a real problem. He feels his present situation is unendurable and yet sees no good solution to the problem. Everyone has experienced this in his or her life to a greater or lesser degree. The difference between an addict and the non-addict is that the addict chooses drugs or alcohol as a solution to the unwanted problem or discomfort, usually without even being aware that he made the choice. The addict is usually completely unaware that he just started a pattern that would lead farther and farther away from where he planned to go in Life.

This person tries the drugs or alcohol and they appear to solve his problem. He feels better. He now seems better able to deal with life. However the drugs did not change the universe and the problems still exist. The addict wakes up in the same world but a bit weaker, a bit redder in the eyes, feeling a bit worse, with an even lower resistance to the problems, and usually has made more problems. He then uses the drug again to solve the even greater problems he has created. The person looks on drugs or alcohol as a cure for unwanted feelings. The painkilling effects of drugs or alcohol become a solution to their discomfort. Inadvertently the drug or alcohol now becomes valuable because it helped them feel better. This problem-solution through drugs is one of the main reasons a person uses drugs or drinks a second or third time. It is just a matter of time before he becomes fully addicted and loses the ability to control his drug use. Drug addiction results from excessive or continued use of physiologically habit-forming drugs in an attempt to resolve the underlying symptoms of discomfort or unhappiness. A good drug rehab program can break this pattern….for good!

This entry was posted on Monday, May 8th, 2006 at 8:29 pm and is filed under Drug Rehab. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.