Addiction comes in many forms and is not just about alcohol and other drugs. According to the gambling addiction rehab people can become psychologically and/or physiologically dependent on gambling, food, on television, on computer games, on running and much more-the list is endless. What is common to many of these dependencies is disruption of the person’s life and that of their family and friends. Harms include physical and mental damage, emotional disorders including irritability and anger, loss of work and legal problems. There are also great resources at this site like https://www.addictiontreatmentrehab.co.uk.
One common form of addiction or dependence is to alcohol and/or other drugs. This can be the result of childhood trauma, depression, or stress, or just simply due to unhealthy coping habits. Some people have more problems with alcohol and other drugs in the winter months and this can be related to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a condition where the brain is not receiving sufficient sunlight to trigger the normal wake/sleep cycle.
People who are affected by SAD feel depressed and lethargic and frequently crave such things as sugars and seek ways to lift their mood. Other people use alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate a range of problems, from depression through to pain. Since one of the effects of alcohol is to cause depression, especially in the longer term, this becomes a self-reinforcing cycle.
If medications such as antidepressants or pain killers are already being used, use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances can result in serious and potentially dangerous side-effects. Many people are unaware of the fact that many antidepressants can actually increase craving for alcohol. The interactions between alcohol and antidepressants can be dangerous and frightening to the individual and the family. There are also professionals on this site, such as https://www.rehabilitationcentre.co.uk.
Dependencies can seem overwhelming for the person and the family, but there are many things that can be done to help reduce the harms and to change the behaviours that cause them. In some cases, such as where there are serious medical problems caused by substance misuse, abstinence from the substance is necessary. Abstinence is not desirable or possible for everyone however, and in these cases there are a number of therapeutic interventions that can greatly reduce physical and psychological damage.
Therapies include:
- 12-step approaches such as Alcoholics Anonymous, an abstinence-based approach
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Behavioural Management
- Meditation
- Stress reduction
- Exercise
- SAD treatment
Therapy may also include treatment of underlying problems such as those related to childhood abuse, anxiety or grieving. Changing thoughts and behaviours is done in steps, with each step being part of the healing process. It’s never too late to try to break addictions control over your life or to help someone you love to do so.
Dr. Riley specializes in therapeutic interventions for alcohol, drug and other dependencies, as well as depression, PTSD, anxiety and bereavement.