Powerlessness and Strength

The first step in addiction recovery is to admit powerlessness. The word itself carries a huge amount of negative connotation, making the first step sometimes insurmountable to many alcoholics and addicts. After all who amongst us wants to acknowledge to ourselves, not to mention to others, that we lack power, that we don't possess the power to stop (using or drinking or gambling or eating or whatever the addictive behavior may be).

The paradox is this--By admitting powerlessness, we gain strength.

By making this simple admission, "I am powerless" we can acknowledge that we need help.

And by starting with that simple statement we can begin to seek those who can help us.

Meaning we are no longer alone with our addiction.

If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, reach out for help. A few simple words can get you the strength you need to begin the road to recovery.

Meaning that others can share in providing a solution.

Meaning that we can begin to surround ourselves with people who know what we are going through, and who can help us.

So powerlessness doesn't mean weakness. Powerlessness leads to community. It leads to solution. It leads to the strength.

A Genetic Link to Cigarette Smoking: Considerations for Treatment

In a recent New York Times article, the topic of cigarette smoking and a genetic pre-disposition was reported. Some scientists are calling it the "double-whammy" gene, because the gene makes you more likely to smoke heavily and it also makes it less likely for you to quit! Smokers who inherit this gene from both parents have an 80 percent greater chance of lung cancer than individuals who did not have the gene.

Genetics and addiction is becoming a hot topic for research. We know clinically that addiction often is passed on in families, but so far, we haven't had hard science to prove that there were genes identified with the disease of addiction. When we find this gene, it could help us understand the behavior of chain smoking, nocotine addiction and even lung cancer. Eventually, this science could assist us in understanding all types of addictions and developing treatments to address this disease.

Even when we find all the genetic markers for addiction, we will still need to work on the psychological contributors toward addiction. We will continue to need ongoing supports to prevent relapses and self-esteem concerns secondary to addiction.

The good news is that science is taking addiction seriously! We need their help, as well as the tens of thousands women and men who try to fight smoking addiction and other addictions on a daily basis!

Recuperatio Primoris.

What Feels Good Until It Doesn't

One of the major risks for alcohol/addicts in early recovery is the tendency towards substitution. Once the addict is able to acknowledge that they have a problem and enter into addiction treatment, they can, with effort learn the strategies that may allow them to remain abstinent. And with proper addiction treatment and natural supports, many alcoholics and addicts are able to stop the use that was destroying their lives. Of course the most blatant aspects of the disease can be arrested: the drinker can stop drinking, the cocaine smoker can stop smoking, the iv heroin user can stop using.

But simply stopping the use of the a particular substance is not necessarily complete sobriety. The addicted mind has the uncanny ability to shift its focus. Obviously the first shift would be between different substances. The alcoholic after an ultimatum from his boss, may move over to the use of marijuana. Hard drug users may find themselves shifting to alcohol after a particular scare, say an overdose. Many addicts come into addiction treatment with multiple addictions.

Many addicts discover that their addicted selves remain troubled even after they've stopped using. The addictive mind doesn't simply turn off once the addict stops using. Instead, addicts in recovery often discover that the behavior patterns associated with addiction remain intact. Even in recovery after drug rehab, alcoholic/addicts can find themselves stuck in destructive behavioral cycles. Their addictions shift. They find themselves engaged in unhealthy but obsessive relationships. They begin to buy unnecessary things and credit card bills begin to pile up. They turn to promiscuity, placing their physical bodies at risk. They find themselves eating . . .and eating . . and eating.

The addicted person suffers from a tendency towards excess. In everything. The alcoholic/addict is a creature of excess, not simply in the use of substances, but in behaviors that in moderation are quite healthy and normative. Take, for example, the alcoholic who once sober begins a fanatical work schedule, putting in 12 - 14 hour days. Or the cocaine addict who begins to spend 4 - 5 hours at the gym each evening. Without full and comprehensive addiction treatment, the addict will continue to maintain addictive patterns Many will habitually use whatever feels good to excess. It seems to be the very nature of the disease. This feels good, I think I'll do it until it kills me. Regardless of what the IT is.

Thankfully, with addiction rehabilitation, this process can be halted, the disease arrested. The alcoholic addict can learn some semblance of moderation. With proper alcohol detoxification and drug rehab, sanity and balance can be obtained.