When addiction is mentioned, an image of the homeless, or those that have fallen through the cracks of society swigging cheap booze from a paper bag can come to mind. In reality, it is a fact of life for a large cross section of people from all classes, creeds and walks of life.
The consequences of addiction directly affects psycho-physiological & biomedical wellbeing, impacts the economy and society at large-who would voluntarily be stuck in an A and E unit after dark?!
Addiction has changed operation and production procedures within industry, with staff being regularly and randomly tested for illicit substances, particularly in the mining sector, where multi-million dollar equipment is in operation.
Medicinal use of psychoactive substances have long been employed to relieve or treat the symptoms of illness, from opium-based tinctures to alcohol-based “cure-alls” containing herbal compounds, some even contained live creatures such as scorpions or lizards, to harness their “special qualities” and keep the snake-oil salesmen in business.
Earliest models of intervention around alcohol addiction emerged from religious or morality-based organisations, think League of decency/temperance league, which tended to view the person as weak-willed, lacking in morals, or “sinful”. Substance abuse treatment involved directive and sometimes confrontational strategies, aimed to induce abstinence. The theory being, addicted people could be “cured” through simply being made to abstain from the offending substance, but these approaches have not typically been found to be successful.
Addiction needed daily use, leading to increasing dosage to obtain the same effect, and this group includes alcohol, Tabaco, cannabis, opium and sedatives.
Today, we can add a lot more to that list, with one of the most prevalent addictions presenting for treatment right now, being that to prescribed medications.
As the name suggests, prescription meds are dispensed by medical professionals, and while opioids play an essential role in chronic pain management, careful monitoring and dosage control needs to be a basic requirement in complimenting any treatment, as addiction rates are sky-rocketing globally.
Addiction can readily be linked to the substances mentioned earlier, but the more recent additions of synthetic varieties like so-called “party” drugs or uppers such as ecstasy, amphetamines or methyl-amphetamines, cocaine or crack, along with the “downers” like sedatives or barbiturate/benzodiazepines that are regularly prescribed for anxiety or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can all become problematic when use crosses over into abuse, and the user is in over their head before realising it is impacting every aspect of their lives.
Behavioural addictions can be easier to mask, such as gambling, eating disorders, or sex/pornography addiction.
In the last category, men as young as seventeen years of age are seeking therapy to address erectile dysfunction issues, as the regular bodies in real life that they attempt to have relations or be intimate with have no chance of living up to the on-screen images they have become addicted to watching.
We all know someone who has been directly affected or bereaved by addiction, whether family, friends, or celebrities whose talents and lives were the stuff of envy and admiration, with people left behind asking “WHY?”
Addiction is part of the nature of the human condition, education around why some of us are more susceptible to becoming dependent on substances or behaviours can be a powerful tool in helping to break cycles that are unhelpful to us, and our loved ones.
As a species, there are many identified defense mechanisms that we use to cope in dealing with our realities.
These are a natural occurrence that the brain develops to deal with life and life events on a psychological level, the problem occurs when these defense mechanisms are used to deflect, defend and support an addiction.
Depending on how we utilise them, they can be negative or positive, and so it is critical to identify them in ascertaining their negatively impacting our ability to cope with daily life.
Denial, rationalisation, and projection are the three main barriers to recovery from substance use disorder. If long-lasting recovery is to be achieved, we must accept reality, admit there is a problem, and stop blaming outside forces or other people for addiction to alcohol, drugs, or other substances or behaviours.
DENIAL is classed as refusing to accept factual information, or reality. Someone with substance abuse disorder may believe they are truthful by blocking unwanted events from their mind, so they don’t have to deal with the emotional impact, thereby avoiding painful feelings. Their state of dependence and/or addiction can be obvious to those around them, but gets ignored or avoided by the sufferer.
RATIONALISING drug or alcohol usage through providing good reasons for doing so is used as defense from feelings of guilt, protection against criticism, and in effort of maintaining self-respect. Through this defense mechanism, the user attempts to explain objectionable behaviours with their own set of “facts”, allowing them to feel comfortable with their choice to continue using. They may admit to problematic behaviour, but rationalise it by blaming forces outside of themselves, such as work stress, childhood experiences, or grief.
PROJECTION is when someone with substance abuse disorder issues blames someone else for their addiction. Thoughts or feelings about the self are projected onto another person; for example, an angry person may accuse others of being angry. Projection allows the person who is conflicted about expressing their anger to swap “I hate him/her” to “He/she hates me”. It attributes thoughts, feelings or desires someone can not accept about themselves, and places them onto others. Projection can be positive or negative, though in the case of substance use disorder it is usually unconsciously and negatively used as a means to shift blame for the addiction.
There are other defense mechanisms such as REPRESSION, where unconscious hiding of painful memories, unwanted thoughts, or illogical beliefs can cause psychological distress, the main goal of repression being to completely forget. These issues do not disappear, but may unconsciously influence behaviours, producing anger or sadness, and impacting relationships.
DISPLACEMENT is when strong emotions, like frustration, are targeted at someone or something that does not feel threatening. This defense mechanism allows the person to satisfy the impulse to react or get angry without risking significant consequences like getting fired, arrested, or even abandoned. This explains lashing out at those closest to us when we have problems at home, work, or within ourselves, as in the case of substance use disorders.
REGRESSION is escaping into an earlier stage of development in life, which can be brought on by feelings of anxiety or feeling threatened, as well as traumatisation, or following a loss. This can occur in children or adults, and may manifest in the persons acting younger, or behaviours like sleeping with a stuffed animal, chewing on pencils, or overeating. Substance abuse disorder often leads to traumatic events where regression is possible, and for the sufferer, it is about experiencing comfort while feeling overwhelmed.
AVOIDANCE means staying away from specific environments, situations, things or people. This can be due to anticipated negative consequences of interacting with these groups, and the painful and anxious feelings associated with them. It is a method of coping with the response to fear, or shame. For example, someone suffering from a substance use disorder may avoid friends or family members who disagree with their life choices, and so allows them to continue engaging in risky behaviours without experiencing the shame of being around them.
These are not necessarily insurmountable obstacles to reaching a state of recovery, and attaining a zest for life.
Therapists in the field of today’s addictions, or substance use disorder issues, recognise that specific treatment, or combination of treatments, will vary according to a person’s individual needs, the substances used, level of dependence or addiction, along with their desire and willingness to change. In some cases, the threat of a partner leaving, or the risk of losing their means of employment can be the main motivators for seeking out, somewhat grudgingly, counselling for addiction.
Through non-judgemental support, psycho-education around why we are all vulnerable to addiction, and genuine effort in striving for self-efficacy, the journey of fighting a way back to a healthy and fulfilling life can be achieved.
People care for and love you, even when you do not love yourself, so reach out to those around you, put your hand up and get the help you so deserve!
IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS OR FEEL UNSAFE PLEASE CALL 000
ALCOHOL AND DRUG SUPPORT LINE; 61894425000 or 1800198024
PARENT AND FAMILY DRUG SUPPORT LINE (formerly The parent and drug information service/PDIS); 24 hour 7 day week service, Statewide counselling, Information, referral and support for anyone concerned about a loved one’s alcohol or drug use. PHONE; (08) 94425050 (Metro) 1800653203 (Country callers)
EMAIL; alcoholdrugsupport@mhc.wa.gov.au
Live chat; visit Alcohol. Think Again. (external service) or Drug Aware (external site)
WORKING AWAY Alcohol and drug support line, 24 hour 7 days a week, Statewide counselling information and referral to support the health and wellbeing of working away from home communities, including FIFO (fly in/fly out) workers, their families and friends. PH; 1800721997 (country callers) Email; workingaway@mhc.wa.gov.au Live chat; Visit Alcohol. Think Again. (external site) or Drug Aware (external site)
METH HELPLINE; 24 hours 7 days a week, Statewide counselling, information, referral and support to anyone concerned about their own, or another person’s methamphetamine use. PH; 1800874878 Email; alcoholdrugsupport@mhc.wa.gov.au Live chat; Visit Alcohol. Think Again. (external site) or Drug Aware (external site)
DRUG AWARE
Drug Aware is a program that targets young people with messages about drug use, focusing on the prevention of drug use and associated harm. It aims to do this by providing credible, factual information, so that people can make informed decisions. Do you need some information about drugs? Do you have a question about someone else’s drug use? To contact Drug Aware you can Email, your Email will be answered as soon as possible during business hours, as this service is not staffed 24 hours a day.
Chat online (external service) and confidentially, to a qualified alcohol and other drugs counsellor (click the “chat” button on home page) This service is provided free-of-charge for residents of Western Australia, and is operated between the hours of 7.00am and 11.00pm. If your question can not be answered, you will be pointed in the right direction.
For emergency or life-threatening conditions, visit emergency department or dial triple zero (000) to call an ambulance-Please note-police are NOT called, unless a death has occurred, or ambulance personnel are threatened.
Visit healthdirect (external site) or call 1800022222
SAA (sex addicts anonymous) is based on the structure of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), except the focus is on sexual disorders. It is a free system of meetings and support. Although not a helpline, call 1800-477-8191 to reach SAA directly and someone will help you.
GAMBLING HELP ONLINE Free online support for anyone affected by gambling. 24 hour 7 day a week ANONYMOUS support, PH; 1800858858