While addictive behavior starts out as voluntary, changes in brain chemistry can quickly cause it to become involuntary. At that point, habits can be extremely difficult to break despite the harmful effects on the mind and body. Individual psychotherapy is an effective way to address these problems, taking a solutions-based approach toward full recovery. Of course, an understanding of what causes addiction and how it affects the mind is also important for treatment.
Drug or alcohol addiction is characterized as a chronic brain disease. The use of these substances stimulates the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, which alter its chemistry and may lead to the abuse of psychoactive substances. As recreational use becomes addiction, ever-increasing quantities of drugs must be consumed in order for the user to feel the same effect. Addicted individuals cannot function without the substance, which leads to more cravings - fulfillment of which results in a greater inability to function. This cycle escalates to the point where there is nothing voluntary about drug use, and what started as a choice becomes a compulsion.
In addition to the inability to function without drugs, these individuals commonly experience harmful physical and mental effects. Addiction can lead to a degraded physical appearance, the disruption of metabolic processes, organ problems or failure, and even death. The mental effects of substance abuse are just as unpleasant and often manifest physically as well. Cravings, for instance, are a result of the overproduction of drug receptor cells in the brain, which constantly need stimulation. When an addicted individual does not answer the call, so to speak, he or she may experience withdrawals. This mental/physical effect actually involves the partial die-off of the receptor cells which were produced to accommodate the drug use. If they are not stimulated, they begin to die, causing tremendous discomfort in the mind and body of the user.
To help an individual overcome addiction, a psychotherapist takes a solutions-based approach to treatment. The idea is to get the patient to understand where the problem stems from, by talking about the issue and then instituting the necessary behavioral changes. Through work with a psychotherapist, a patient can gain an understanding of past and current life problems, and how those problems and patterns might have contributed to the current abuse.
It is important to challenge the negative thought patterns affecting the individual. Disturbed, negative thoughts reinforce the cycle of drug and/or alcohol abuse, and these must be countered through the construction of positive mental models. Setting new behavioral goals starts with an individual understanding the nature of their past destructive behavior.
Depending on the type and severity of the addiction, psychological services will differ. Through the combination of varying degrees of individual psychotherapy, social and familial support, and drastic lifestyle changes, drug addiction can be overcome. Though these patients are never actually "cured," they do learn to understand the addictive behavior, the harm it can cause and how to combat the urge to use these substances again.
Author Resource:-
Stephen Daniels is an acclaimed internet marketing strategist. If you seek San Clemente psychological services, he recommends Professional Psychology Co. With confidential and personalized counseling services, this therapist helps individuals, couples and families in south Orange County address a variety of issues.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlesbacklink.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
