Addiction to drugs and alcohol is not life enhancing or fulfilling.People struggle longterm from the effects of this disease.It is a well researched fact that fifteen percent of the population become addicted. The other eighty-five percent essentially do not become addicted although they can become habitualized.What is the difference between a habit and an addiction? Generally a habit can be changed according to will power. Addicts often do not stop their addictive patterns unless the cost is their life. This means that unto death, addicts will use and that only the possibility of death occurring will send them to treatment (maybe).
Without judgement, addiction is a disease. If we are to look at it in this light, we no longer need to judge the addict/alcoholic, disrespect him/her or feel we are better than they are. Instead we can tap into our sensitivities and compassion to show them a path for help.The danger is in doing the work for them. The pattern of addiction creates denial and shame far beyond what a healthy individual can even comprehend. That is why the disease needs treatment, rather than just love, understanding and care alone.
With this response to addictions, those who care about their addicted loved ones can support without feeling like their world is caving in.They can objectively check out what the options of care are and offer that to the addicted person. They no longer have to blame themselves for the person’s addiction, or wear it in any way.As well, if the addict sees it as a disease
rather than a character flaw, they will not beat themselvers up as much and will likely seek help, rather than hiding or avoiding due to shame.
Addiction is a shamed based illness: the effects can be devastating already to a life: there is no need for the double punishment that occurs when the addict is immersed in judgement.
Most of the therapy that surrounds addiction work is harm redcution rather than abstinence, Unfortunately, this only works for those with a habit, not an addiction.Only when the using stops, does the cloud lift and the difficult work can begin. In the wake of an addiction, financial ruin, employment issues and relationship issues are left, not to mention the spiritual and emotional devastation.The most diffciult time for the addict is after they stop using: this is when relapse occurs, once they realise the devastation that surrounds them from their mistakes while drinking or drugging. No one in their right mind would create this dynamic for themselves; that is why they need to get into their right mind to crawl out of this place, similar to Hell.People who love others enough to not want to feel pain drink and drug.
The most vulnerable become powerless over a disease that destroys them and all they love.
The cost of addictions is too high to bear for most and before they are acutely aware of what they have done, self destruction sets in. This is the disease progression.This is what shame does to us in our human form. It is a shame-based illness.Are we going to shame the addict further?