After experiencing various forms of drug addiction, we've come to realize that addiction is not something that everyone can understand. We do, however, feel that we can share a few tools to understand whether a person or their close ones may be an addict.
Oxford defines "addicted" as: physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects.
Regarding the physical part of an addiction, we generally recommend a detox facility, where under guidance, one can have the substances leave their body. However, what about the mental addiction? What are the "adverse effects"?
Adverse effects of mental addiction:
Some call it "an obsession of the mind". To further explain the mind of an addict, this is where the mind will convince someone to use substances or drink alcohol, and no logic whatsoever will change their mind. The effect of not using those substances leaves an addict in a bad state of mind, and we believe that addicts use because they cannot be left with their own thinking.
Is it that bad?
We believe so. The mind of an addict is an extreme one. An addict will jump from extreme to extreme, from having great days and grandiose ideas, to having awful days and larger than life convictions. This then places a person into great disarray, and although one may be able to stay clean from their substances for a period of time, an addict will usually get to a level of suffering that only a drink or drug can cure.
So what is an addict supposed to do?
In our experience we have seen that the most effective solution is a spiritual one. A spiritual solution will alter the mind in a permanent way, causing an addict who cannot stop using to be able to live happy, joyous and free while staying away from anything mind altering.
How intense does an addiction need to be to deserve treatment?
In this case, we have seen the extremes. We have seen those who were hopeless, close to death, oftentimes homeless who have recovered in our facility. We have also seen those at the "beginning" of their drug abusing "career" spot the same internal problem, understand the severity of it, and recover as well. Today there are alumni at both ends of this spectrum who are living happy and sober lives.
Addiction is usually defined by addicts as a lack of power to choose, no matter how strong the logic against it is. If you or your loved one is unable to stay away from a substance even though they have been trying to, they may very well be an addict. Reach out to us for help.
