{"id":8076,"date":"2020-05-31T08:23:30","date_gmt":"2020-05-31T12:23:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/?p=8076---b65d57e0-4471-437a-959a-c61704a98305"},"modified":"2021-12-14T00:39:41","modified_gmt":"2021-12-14T05:39:41","slug":"how-to-help-an-addict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Things You Need To Know If You Want To Help An Addict"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#1_Most_People_Dont_Understand_Addiction\" title=\"1. Most People Don&#8217;t Understand Addiction\">1. Most People Don&#8217;t Understand Addiction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#2_What_Addiction_Is_and_Is_Not\" title=\"2. What Addiction Is (and Is Not)\">2. What Addiction Is (and Is Not)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#3_Addiction_is_an_Actual_Disease\" title=\"3. Addiction is an Actual Disease\">3. Addiction is an Actual Disease<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#4_Addiction_is_An_Epidemic\" title=\"4. Addiction is An Epidemic\">4. Addiction is An Epidemic<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#5_Addiction_is_NOT_a_Choice\" title=\"5. Addiction is NOT a Choice\">5. Addiction is NOT a Choice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#6_Most_Addicts_Self-medicate\" title=\"6. Most Addicts Self-medicate\">6. Most Addicts Self-medicate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#7_We_Do_Recover_with_Support\" title=\"7. We Do Recover (with Support)\">7. We Do Recover (with Support)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#Final_Thoughts\" title=\"Final Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#Helpful_Support_Sites\" title=\"Helpful Support Sites\">Helpful Support Sites<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-help-an-addict\/#References\" title=\"References\">References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Drug and alcohol addiction ruins millions of lives every year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your goal is to <strong>help an addict recover<\/strong> from this disease, there&#8217;s some important information you need to know before you begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s start with a reality check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-An-Addict-3.jpg\" alt=\"7 Things You Need To Know If You Want To Help An Addict\" class=\"wp-image-37601 lazyload\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-An-Addict-3.jpg\" alt=\"7 Things You Need To Know If You Want To Help An Addict\" class=\"wp-image-37601 lazyload\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-An-Addict-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-An-Addict-3-83x125.jpg 83w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-An-Addict-3-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-An-Addict-3-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-An-Addict-3-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>7 Things You Need To Know If You Want To Help an Addict<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Most_People_Dont_Understand_Addiction\"><\/span>1. Most People Don&#8217;t Understand Addiction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even people who struggle with addiction don&#8217;t understand it very well. One reason there&#8217;s so much confusion is due to social and cultural perceptions of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider how we look at tobacco use in The United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More Americans use tobacco (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.addictioncenter.com\/nicotine\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">50 million<\/a>)  than there are citizens of Canada (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldometers.info\/world-population\/canada-population\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">37.6 million<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crazy, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s nearly 1 in 7 people. And every year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/tobacco\/data_statistics\/fact_sheets\/fast_facts\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">480,000 people die<\/a> from tobacco-related illness and disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s now take a look at <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/alcohol-abuse-in-zambia\/\" title=\"alcohol abuse\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">alcohol abuse<\/a>, which is also vast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/prevalence-of-alcoholism-in-the-united-states-67876\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">2018 study on alcohol use<\/a>, more than 15 million people in America struggle with Alcohol Use Disorder every year. That&#8217;s 1 in 8 adults, with about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/wonk\/wp\/2017\/08\/11\/study-one-in-eight-american-adults-are-alcoholics\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">88,000 dying from alcohol use<\/a> every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a society, we know that tobacco is a nasty habit. We know that alcohol abuse can cause all sorts of problems, from DUI&#8217;s to domestic violence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But when was the last time you heard someone use either &#8220;tobacco addict&#8221; or &#8220;alcohol addict&#8221; to describe the problem?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The point here is that we tend to associate addiction with illicit substances. But the truth is that tens of millions struggle with alcohol and\/or nicotine addiction, and more than 550,000 people die every year as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to help an addict recover, start with changing the way you think about addiction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Addiction is a complicated and bizarre disease that affects drug users and non-drug users alike. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/eating-disorders-in-teens\/\">Eating disorders<\/a> are addictions. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/ways-to-stop-yourself-from-cutting-self-harm\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Self-harm<\/a> is an addiction. Gambling, sex, porn, food, and even Internet use can turn into addictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are millions of addicts who have never touched drugs or alcohol. The problem is far bigger than you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_What_Addiction_Is_and_Is_Not\"><\/span>2. What Addiction Is (and Is Not)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The public misunderstands what addiction even means. &nbsp;It\u2019s not a synonym for \u201cbad habit,\u201d nor are drugs and alcohol the only things to which one can get addicted. Here\u2019s a definition accepted by addictions professionals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Addiction is the repeated involvement with a substance or activity, despite the substantial harm it now causes, because that involvement was (and may continue to be) pleasurable and\/or valuable.<\/p><cite> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mentalhelp.net\/articles\/definition-of-addiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Source<\/a> <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Addiction, by definition, is harmful to the addict in at least one life domain. Here are some practical examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Occupational: addiction causes job loss, problems with productivity, interpersonal conflicts, etc.<\/li><li>Social: addictive behaviors ruin romantic, familial, or platonic <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/relationships\/\" title=\"relationships\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">relationships<\/a>.<\/li><li>Financial: addiction is expensive. Addicts frequently forego bills to finance their drug use.<\/li><li>Legal: addictive behaviors are often illegal (i.e., possession of illicit substances).<\/li><li>Psychological: Prolonged substance use can worsen anxiety, depression, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/therapists-share-their-thoughts-on-suicide\/\" title=\"suicidal ideation\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">suicidal ideation<\/a>, and psychosis.<\/li><li>Physical: Sustained <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/myths-about-addiction\/\" title=\"substance abuse\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">substance abuse<\/a> results in an array of physical health problems, from poor sleep to life-threatening diseases.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of these problems are easy to spot; some are not. It\u2019s important to keep in mind that not all addicts look and act the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plenty of so-called \u201chigh-functioning\u201d addicts can maintain a job, go to the gym, and pay their bills. But they might be compromising their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/benefits-of-hypnotherapy\/\">mental and physical health<\/a>, which is often hard to see in others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/heroin-use_1185px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/heroin-use_1185px-1024x616.jpg\" alt=\"how to help an addict - heroin rates\" class=\"wp-image-8082 lazyload\" width=\"479\" height=\"288\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/heroin-use_1185px-1024x616.jpg\" alt=\"how to help an addict - heroin rates\" class=\"wp-image-8082 lazyload\" width=\"479\" height=\"288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/heroin-use_1185px-1024x616.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/heroin-use_1185px-299x180.jpg 299w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/heroin-use_1185px-768x462.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/heroin-use_1185px-100x60.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/heroin-use_1185px.jpg 1185w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 479px) 100vw, 479px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption>National Survey on Drug Use and Health<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Addiction_is_an_Actual_Disease\"><\/span>3. Addiction is an Actual Disease<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It may not look like a disease, but every major medical association in the United States says it is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is not a moral failing or a character flaw. It&#8217;s more like a computer virus that ransacks your ability to make good decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Humans have a hierarchy of needs, with things like air and water and shelter at the top of the list. Addiction tricks the brain into thinking that drugs are more important than these needs. That&#8217;s why addicts often behave in such dangerous and confounding ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Addiction is cunning and complicated, so it might help to think of it as an allergic reaction. For addicts, their drug is like poison ivy. If they get around it, they will use, consequences be damned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or someone you love suffers from addiction, you have to get on board with the disease model of addiction. Traditional views of ethics and morality mean nothing to the addicted brain. If you want to help an addict recover, you need to understand that addiction is a disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. &#8211; <em>National Institute on Drug Abuse<\/em><\/p><cite><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> National Institute on Drug Abuse <\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about a disease like diabetes. While poor decisions can make diabetes worse, (i.e., a diet heavy with sugar), plenty of people are born with it. Through no fault of their own, they are born with a chronic, lifelong and often incurable disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It doesn&#8217;t matter how religious they are, or how much self-control they have, or where they went to school. They are diabetic from now until they die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Addiction is similar. People are born predisposed to addiction and addictive behaviors. For some, the disease remains dormant. For others, it consumes everything they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"What is the Disease Model of Addiction?\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IQSSOiAD7m0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>What is the Disease Model of Addiction? Courtesy, YouTube.<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Addiction_is_An_Epidemic\"><\/span>4. Addiction is An Epidemic<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The medical literature suggests that somewhere around 10% of the adult population suffers from some form of addiction. That\u2019s 24 million people, a number equivalent to the entire population of Florida. And that&#8217;s just drug and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/i-have-a-problem-with-alcohol\/\" title=\"alcohol addiction\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">alcohol addiction<\/a>. Remember, people get addicted to all sorts of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Near as we can tell, that 10% number is consistent, too. A person\u2019s intelligence, financial means, social class, education, or ethnicity doesn\u2019t seem to have any bearing either. Addiction is an equal opportunity killer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are basically two types of addictions. The first involves substances, such as drugs and alcohol. If you\u2019re curious, here are the top 6 substances people get addicted to, in terms of numbers of people affected:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Tobacco:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.addictioncenter.com\/nicotine\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> 50 million people in the US<\/a>.<\/li><li>Alcohol:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.projectknow.com\/drug-addiction\/statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> 15 million people in the US<\/a>.<\/li><li>Opiates:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/drugs-abuse\/opioids\/opioid-overdose-crisis\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> 2 million people in the US<\/a>.<\/li><li>Methamphetamine:<a href=\"https:\/\/luxury.rehabs.com\/meth-addiction-in-the-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> 1.5+ million people in the US.<\/a><\/li><li>Sedatives\/Tranquilizers:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/NSDUH-FFR2-2015\/NSDUH-FFR2-2015.htm\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> 1 million people in the US<\/a>.<\/li><li>Cocaine:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/report_2790\/ShortReport-2790.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> 900,000 people in the US<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>We call the second type a \u201cprocess addiction.\u201d These are behaviors such as gambling, overeating, workaholism, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/ways-to-stop-yourself-from-cutting\/\">self-harm<\/a>, though that list is far from exhaustive. Some points worth noting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Over 12 million people in the US struggle with<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightstep.com\/resources\/dual-diagnosis-help\/what-is-a-process-addiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> compulsive buying disorder<\/a>.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightstep.com\/resources\/dual-diagnosis-help\/what-is-a-process-addiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Sex-addiction<\/a> affects 3-6% of the population.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightstep.com\/resources\/dual-diagnosis-help\/what-is-a-process-addiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Pathological gambling<\/a> affects upwards of two million adults in the US.<\/li><li>Internet addiction is on the rise, too, with some estimates claiming that over<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/420-million-people-are-addicted-to-the-internet-study-2014-12\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> 400 million people worldwide<\/a> struggle with it.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Movies would have you believe that addiction looks like the hoodie-wearing thug begging for a fix, but doctors, lawyers, captains of industry, and beauty queens are just as likely to be addicts as anyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to help an addict recover, avoid judgmental attitudes and preconceived notions, as the disease is far more common than anyone is comfortable admitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you love an addict, it\u2019s important to remember that stigma has driven many of their behaviors underground, meaning that many addicts are skilled experts at deception. Never assume you know what is going on in an addict\u2019s mind because you don\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nih.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Overdose-PainKillers-1.png\" alt=\"the disease of addiction\" class=\"wp-image-8598 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"807\" height=\"407\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Overdose-PainKillers-1.png\" alt=\"the disease of addiction\" class=\"wp-image-8598 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Overdose-PainKillers-1.png 807w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Overdose-PainKillers-1-357x180.png 357w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Overdose-PainKillers-1-768x387.png 768w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Overdose-PainKillers-1-119x60.png 119w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 807px) 100vw, 807px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption>Courtesy, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"NIH (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"rank-math-link\">NIH<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Addiction_is_NOT_a_Choice\"><\/span>5. Addiction is NOT a Choice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Addicts are not responsible for their addiction, but they are responsible for their recovery. This is a sentiment central to support groups like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/lies-about-narcotics-anonymous\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Narcotics Anonymous<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drugfree.org\/learn\/drug-and-alcohol-news\/new-data-show-millions-of-americans-with-alcohol-and-drug-addiction-could-benefit-from-health-care-reform\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">90% of people who use drugs and alcohol don\u2019t become addicted.<\/a> Millions of people experiment with alcohol and illicit drugs every year; most never become addicted. Nobody becomes an addict by choice. It happens without warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Addiction uses many tools to keep its victims sick. One of them is denial, a form of delusion that prevents a person from accepting the reality of a situation. If you know what to look for, it&#8217;s easy to spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some common examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Blame-shifting: It\u2019s everyone else\u2019s fault but mine I use.<\/li><li>Justification: My drug of choice helps with my ________.<\/li><li>Rationalization: Hey, at least it\u2019s not _________\/<\/li><li>Minimization: I only used\/drank (insert measurement).<\/li><li>Equivocation: My drug is the same as _______________.<\/li><li>Defensiveness: How dare you accuse me of ____________.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem with denial is not that addicts use it to justify their use to other people. The problem is that they use denial to justify it to themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many if not most addicts are unaware of the progression of the disease until it is too late. Often, it takes a jarring event like an arrest or a job loss before they realize how bad their situation has become.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless, nobody makes the choice to become an addict. And nobody uses alcohol or drugs with the intention of causing harm to themselves, their friends, or their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Is Addiction a CHOICE?\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/irf1aCqAiko?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>Is Addiction a CHOICE? Courtesy, YouTube.<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Most_Addicts_Self-medicate\"><\/span>6. Most Addicts Self-medicate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people don\u2019t understand that addiction has little to do with drug use. <em>The Basic Text<\/em> of Narcotics Anonymous addresses this point in the chapter titled \u201cAm I an Addict?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cAddiction is a disease that involves more than the use of drugs. &nbsp;Some of us believe that our disease was present long before the first time we used.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This point is not without controversy. Try telling a heroin addict on their third day of withdrawal that drug use is a small part of addiction. It won\u2019t go over well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Addiction is far more complicated than we\u2019d like to believe. And recovery from drug addiction requires far more than just the absence of using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to The National Institute of Mental Health, 45% of people with a substance use disorder<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/substance-use-and-mental-health\/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\"> have a co-occurring mental illness<\/a>. That means that roughly half of all addicts are suffering from a debilitating condition such as <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"clinical depression\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/hard-lessons-about-fighting-depression\/\">clinical depression<\/a>, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people will go to extraordinary lengths to avoid pain, be emotional, physical, or psychological. For some, the pain leads them to drugs and alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Psychological pain is the worst of the three. Depression, trauma, and loneliness drive many to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/therapists-share-their-thoughts-on-suicide\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35361\">suicide<\/a>. And the thing about drugs and alcohol is that they do a marvelous job of numbing that pain. For a while, at least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drug and alcohol use are symptoms of a much larger problem. In fact, exploring that problem is a fundamental component of long-term recovery. Exactly what that problem is though depends on the individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to help an addict recover, you must have empathy. Recovery from drug addiction is the hardest thing a person will ever do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_We_Do_Recover_with_Support\"><\/span>7. We Do Recover (with Support)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Recovery from drug addiction is daunting. I did it back in 2005, and it was the hardest thing I&#8217;ve ever done. Ask any addict. They\u2019ll tell you the same thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In my experience, the number one predictor of long-term recovery is support from friends and family. It is possible to recover from addiction in isolation, but I wouldn\u2019t recommend it for any reason. There are two reasons support is critical:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, addicts feel isolated, alone, misunderstood, and abandoned. Whether this is true is beside the point. I\u2019m talking about how they feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Isolation tortures humans. We are naturally social animals, with an inherent need to feel accepted by the society in which we live. Addicts do not feel like they are part of the \u201cnormal\u201d community of functioning people. This is a side effect of the disease, but an important one to understand if you want to help an addict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a fantastic Ted Talk about the subject:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong | Johann Hari\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PY9DcIMGxMs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>Courtesy, YouTube.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The second reason support from family and friends is important is accountability. As in, my actions are accountable to a group of people who are looking out for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the basic premise of 12-Step organizations like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/facts-about-smart-recovery-and-addiction\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">SMART Recovery<\/a> and AA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many who are in recovery, the line between groups like AA and actual family becomes indistinguishable. This is by design, and if you want to help an addict recover, you need to encourage meeting attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They don\u2019t work for everyone, but we have yet to find a one-stop solution for literally anything in the connected fields of <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/mental-health\/\" title=\"mental health\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">mental health<\/a> and addictions, so this should in no way dissuade you from encouraging friends and family members to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have to use what is available to us. If you have the money to attend groups run by a trained addiction professional like myself for nine hours a week, then that\u2019s what I\u2019d recommend. But most people don\u2019t have the financial resources to stay in intensive <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/therapy\/\" title=\"therapy\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">therapy<\/a> indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span>Final Thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/a-brief-guide-to-psychological-first-aid\/\">how to help<\/a> an addict recover &#8211; especially if you love them &#8211; is a daunting task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also a long-term commitment that can take months if not years. If you can try to see addiction as analogous to cancer or diabetes, it helps. We\u2019re talking about deadly, lifelong, chronic conditions. It\u2019s important to keep this in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The thing you need to remember is that you don\u2019t know what an addict will need to find the right path to recovery. They might NEED to be arrested. They might NEED to spend a week in a psychiatric hospital. It\u2019s not up to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only constant here is your support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Support does not mean that you let an addict get away with problematic behavior. Support does not mean that you feed them cash to sustain their habit. Support is anything you can offer that keeps them safe, connected, and away from drugs and alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a great deal of information available to you online. Talk to your doctor and ask for a referral to a <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/substance-abuse\" title=\"substance abuse\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">substance abuse<\/a> treatment center in your area. Most cities and towns have free or low-cost <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/substance-abuse-and-covid-19-in-america\/\">substance abuse<\/a> treatment services. In my experience, getting into one of these programs is easy. Don&#8217;t put this off. Get your loved one into treatment immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, don&#8217;t ignore the benefits of individual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/therapy\/\">therapy<\/a>. Whether you are an addict or trying to help someone who is addicted, professional support is both strongly advised and encouraged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Helpful_Support_Sites\"><\/span>Helpful Support Sites<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.na.org\/meetingsearch\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Search<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aa.org\/pages\/en_US\/find-aa-resources\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Search<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartrecoverytest.org\/local\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">SMART Recovery Meetings<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.al-anon.alateen.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Al-Anon Family Groups<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.adultchildren.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Adult Children of Alcoholics<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/ca.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Cocaine Anonymous<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sossobriety.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Secular Organizations for Sobriety<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/womenforsobriety.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Women for Sobriety<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/tobacco\/data_statistics\/fact_sheets\/fast_facts\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Smoking and Tobacco Use: Fast Facts<\/a><\/li><li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/wonk\/wp\/2017\/08\/11\/study-one-in-eight-american-adults-are-alcoholics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One in eight American adults is an alcoholic, study says<\/a><\/li><li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addictioncenter.com\/nicotine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nicotine Addiction and Abuse<\/a><\/li><li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addictioncenter.com\/addiction\/addiction-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Statistics on Addiction in America<\/a><\/li><li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/fastats\/drug-use-illicit.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Illicit Drug Use: Fast Facts<\/a><\/li><li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/healthblog.uofmhealth.org\/brain-health\/science-says-addiction-a-chronic-disease-not-a-moral-failing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Science Says: Addiction Is a Chronic Disease, Not a Moral Failing<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Addiction is a complicated and baffling disease that affects tens of millions of men, women, and children. If you want to learn how to help an addict, this article will give you seven important points to consider.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":33922,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ub_ctt_via":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[866,759,140,972,42],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/randy-withers\/"},"modified_by":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover.jpg",800,450,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover-150x84.jpg",150,84,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover-768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover-400x225.jpg",400,225,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover.jpg",800,450,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover.jpg",800,450,false],"tiny":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover.jpg",60,34,false],"thumbnail-medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover.jpg",480,270,false],"thumbnail-square":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover.jpg",480,270,false],"thumbnail-portrait":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover.jpg",480,270,false],"thumbnail-large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7-Things-You-Need-To-Know-If-You-Want-To-Help-an-Addict-Recover.jpg",720,405,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/randy-withers\/"},"uagb_comment_info":3,"uagb_excerpt":"Addiction is a complicated and baffling disease that affects tens of millions of men, women, and children. If you want to learn how to help an addict, this article will give you seven important points to consider.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8076"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8076"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8076\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}