Article by Philip Johnson

choosingchange - Counselling Sydney CBD Profile | Email | Website Personal and Effective Counselling for Individuals and Couples: Relationships, Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Gay and Lesbian, Sexuality, Addictions... LOCATED IN SYDNEY CBD, King Street... easy access from Martin Place, Town Hall or Wynyard stations. Call for an appointment or more information. See ARTICLES SELF HELP Suite 103, Level 1 147 King Street Sydney NSW Australia 2000 02 9362 3025 or 1300 667 996

Addictions and Recovery

Addictions have several defining characteristics.

There are usually psychological, biological and societal influences which contribute drug addiction.

Which ones influence the most is open to debate.

Addictions are sometimes not recognised as harmful. If a behaviour is rewarding it is often difficult to recognise as harmful or potentially harmful.

choosingchange offers psychological counselling for addictions. Working toward reducing harm by modifying behaviour can contribute to eventual abstinence. However, some people merely wish to lessen reliance on addictive behaviour.

Attitude, why it is so important...

People who manage to change their addictive behaviour are more than likely to have an attitude that is accepting of the fact that they are addicted but that that they can change their habits. "I am addicted... I want this to change."

Keeping your goals in line with your ability and understanding immensely helps the capacity to change. Process is another word for journey... for living and that is what we discuss. What is your life path and what goals and expectations do you have, excite you.

Recovery from addiction is best viewed as a process and in a continuum. Relapse often occurs during a curative process in addictions. View the relapsing nature of addiction as part of the process and much heartache is saved. Learning from relapse is often a very positive force in the process.

Who Is Vulnerable To Addiction?

Addiction vulnerability is indicated by several factors, including —

• What does your family history tell you about social behaviour?
• Was your family one that used alcohol or other drugs regularly?
• Personality characteristics
• (Are you a risk taker? Are you impulsive? Are you compliant?)
• Who do you look up to for making life choices?
• Do you go with the crowd or follow your own path?
• Was your childhood happy or unhappy?
• Are there any psychiatric disorders present in your family?
• Do you suffer from any psychiatric disorders?
• Are you gainfully and happily employed?
• What is the culture you live in?
• Alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs
• What Indicates You Are Facing Drug Addiction?
• Drinking or taking drugs alone
• Issues at work or home or school because of your drug use
• Persistent feelings of depression or unwarranted fear
• When you go out you have to have drugs to enjoy yourself
• You are unable to determine how much or how often you use drugs before being out of control
• Your memory is unreliable/you have periods of complete loss
• Your use of alcohol or other drugs is increasing all the time
• Your attempts to stop or change your habits are failing so far

Dealing with unhelpful drug & alcohol abuse
How can you tell what constitutes unhelpful drug or alcohol use?

Whatever the drug (alcohol, marijuana, speed, cocaine) if it is hindering getting on with life it is considered unhelpful. There are many things you can do to change unhelpful drug-related behaviour.

More information can be found on the: choosingchange site

2 Nov 2010

Last Update: 23 Apr 2012

Article/Information supplied by Philip Johnson

Disclaimer - Any general advice given in any article should not be relied upon and should not be taken as a substitute for visiting a qualified medical Doctor.

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