Understanding Addictive Behavior

In 2017, over 20 million Americans sought help for substance use disorder; since the pandemic, those addiction numbers have climbed. Understanding addictive behavior is an important step to recovering from addiction. Addiction is defined as a treatable, chronic medical condition involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. For each person, their journey toward addiction may have been different, but the common theme is a continuation of drinking or using drugs, even knowing that it is creating problems.

People typically start drinking or using drugs either because it made them feel good, it helped them feel better either physically or emotionally, or it enhanced their performance. In the beginning, you may have received that positive reinforcement (feeling good or performing better), or the negative reinforcement (no more pain due to self-medicating). However, over time you need more and more to get that same feeling until it stops working. You have gone from social or recreational use to problematic use, you need to drink or use drugs more than anything else you may value in life, and those people and things you value become affected by your compulsive use – this is addiction.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

• Tolerance
• Withdrawal
• Craving
• Loss of Control
• Legal Problems
• Problems in Social or Occupational Functioning
• Persistent Use Despite Negative Consequences
• Impairment or Distress Resulting from Use

If you have experienced any of these signs or symptoms beyond tolerance or withdrawals, then you have experienced alcohol-related or drug-related problems and should seek professional help from someone trained in treating addiction. Most people find it difficult to talk about their possible addiction and don’t know where to seek help. Some are afraid if they talk to someone about their addiction that they will tell their employer or family members. The addiction specialists at Aspire Counseling Services understand the need for complete privacy and take seriously the privacy laws that prevent doctors and other professionals from sharing anything you tell them without your explicit permission (unless you indicate you may seriously harm yourself or someone else).

It is important that you seek drug addiction help or alcohol addiction treatment from an expert in treating addiction. Aspire Counseling Services will teach you the tools and skills you need to control your addictive behavior. Their outpatient drug counseling and rehab centers have had excellent results in treating numerous people with addictions. The counselors at Aspire Counseling Services will meet with you and evaluate your symptoms. Together you will develop a treatment plan that is tailored to fit your individual needs.

Aspire Counseling Services offers drug and alcohol abuse treatments as well as psychiatric assessment and treatment for other conditions (such as depression or anxiety), medical treatments (include medical detoxification from drugs or alcohol if needed), family therapy, self-help groups, and social services. Treating addiction means treating the whole person and discovering the underlying cause of their addiction, as well as providing the skills and support needed to recover from their addiction. Contact Aspire Counseling Services today to start that conversation toward gaining control of your life.