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Drug Problem or Drug Solution?

You may have found yourself describing someone as having a problem with drugs.

Would it come as a surprise to know that the person with the drug problem actually believes the drugs are their solution?

Let’s put this in perspective.

We all have problems that we’re challenged to manage. We’ve experienced hurts and disappointments.

As a human, there’s no escaping the trials and tribulations that life brings.

I’m referring to what you might think of as “garden variety” hurt and disappointment. We learn from the experience and move on…a little wiser.

For a drug addict, often life’s hurts and disappointments have been anything but “garden variety.”

They would more likely be classified by a mental health professional as traumatic. And…

Addict Uses Drugs as a Bandaidthe addict would be diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder.)

There is a strong correlation between addiction and trauma. Let me share a bit of Jordan’s story with you.

When I was shooting dope, I didn’t have a drug problem. Instead, I had a drug solution. Drugs were how I coped. And when you took those drugs away from me, that’s when I had problems. Serious problems.

I was using drugs to blot out my reality. I went to desperate measures to use a poisonous substance to numb pain, perceived or real. Whatever pain I had, whatever maladaptive feelings, whatever trauma and issues I was hiding, covering up, or treating for years; they were all exposed when you took the drugs away. via Why drugs aren’t the “problem” for an addict

So, in order to successfully stop turning to drugs for a solution the drug addict must find other ways to deal with the pain. And, they’re trying to figure that out with a brain that has been hijacked by the addiction.

The addict brain is letting them know…in no uncertain terms…that numbing the pain is necessary for survival. It feels like life or death.

This part of the brain is challenging to control. Often referred to the reptilian brain, it operates on autopilot much of the time. It’s the part of the brain that motivates us to jump out of harm’s way just before the bus would have mowed us down.

Not all bad – right? How does the brain get so far off base…allowing drugs to become such a problem?

Let’s take another lesson from Jordan.

…heroin initially makes you feel warm, tingly, relaxed, and euphoric. Coming off of heroin provides the exact opposite feeling: You’re cold with flu like symptoms, anxiety-ridden, and panicked with a feeling of dread and misery. via Why drugs aren’t the “problem” for an addict

And, if feeling physically ill wasn’t enough, the emotional pain is debilitating. It’s understandable why many addicts don’t seem to care that they’re literally risking their lives ingesting substances that are making matters even worse.

Overdose or SuicideDeath is a viable option.

Choosing survival requires a major shift. And, a holistic approach…which is what we have built into our programs and services at RecoverYES.com. Jordan agrees…

Without some real, concrete foundation to replace the old solution (drugs), I was either going to flounder around in a state of unrest, confusion, and hurt, or I was going to return to the solution that anesthetized the pain.

I found that new solution by revisiting my fundamental needs: physical, mental, and spiritual. via Why drugs aren’t the “problem” for an addict

What is involved in a holistic approach to addiction recovery?

  • Physical – soothing the physical symptoms. If detox is required, it should be medically supervised. Even if you are trying to manage detox without professional help, there are things you can do to ease the pain. Look into amino acid therapy.
  • Emotional – deal with the underlying trauma and other mental issues that are fueling the addiction. Finding a mental health counselor that specializes in trauma and addiction will support the process.
  • Spiritual – not to be confused with religion. Developing what I refer to as a “Spiritual Tool Chest” is the key to lasting recovery. This focuses on activities that lead to thriving in recovery. “Not doing XXX” vs. “doing something you love.” This brings meaning to life.

Rather than a drug solution to the drug problem, we propose that you use a holistic body/mind/spirit solution to the problem.

And, this solution is likely to solve just about any other problem that reveals itself as well. A welcome bonus for rising to the challenge that is addiction recovery.

About the author 

Dr. Gala Gorman

Dr. Gala Gorman holds advanced degrees in human development, is a holistic life coach, and published author of the Spiritual Approach™ series of books focused on practical spirituality. She co-founded RecoverYES to support the specific needs of people dealing with addiction.

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