Category: Understanding Addiction

Addiction & Divorce: 4 Major Reason Why Drug Use Ruins Marriages

Relationships are work, as any couple can tell you. When real life hits—kids, money troubles, changing jobs, the loss of a loved one—even marriages find that ‘til death do us part’ can become strained very quickly. One of the most common reasons for divorce is an occurrence whose consequential dysfunction few couples overcome: It corrodes trust, causes breakdowns in communication, and can be a constant source of toxic conflict. It’s not an extramarital affair, but actually, the relationship-ruining destruction caused by substance abuse and addiction.

 

4 Reasons Why Addictions Often Lead To Divorce

Even the most stable and seemingly healthy relationships can be susceptible to a rift under the right conditions. Unsurprisingly, addiction is the perfect storm that can cause all sorts of ‘last straw’ marital conflict. Here are the top reasons for divorces ranked from highest to least common, and how addiction can lead to them. 

 

1. Lack of commitment

It takes two to tango, and unless both partners are fully dedicated to making their marriage work, the relationship can be impossible to sustain. Addiction, as many of us know first-hand, is a far-reaching disease that can impact the user’s friends, family, and the greater community as well. When an addict chooses to continue to use drugs (or refuse to get help) at the cost of hurting their loved ones, that’s a pretty big indicator that they’re more committed to satisfying an immediate craving rather than what’s best for their partner and family. On the other hand, addiction can push the non-using partner away and deteriorate their motivation to continue the relationship. 

 

2. Infidelity

Both short and long-term drug use can seriously interfere with decision-making skills. That’s why individuals with drug addiction are at a higher risk of engaging in risky behaviors such as cheating or having unsafe sex.  As a monogamous society, cheating is the ultimate relationship deal-breaker that can irreparably damage the trust between two people. Study participants who cited infidelity as the cause of their divorce reported that conflicts and communication problems happened more frequently, and were much more intense. Further, when those issues came up, the couples often found themselves unable to resolve the issue “calmly”.

 

3. Constant arguing

It’s normal for couples to have disagreements, in fact, they can help strengthen the relationship. There is a point when bickering becomes unhealthy, and when it happens, things can get toxic fast. It’s not simply a matter of how much you’re arguing, but the manner in which those arguments are being resolved—if at all. 

Drug use is one of those things that can both be the source of conflict, and also affect how those arguments occur. Normally, each person will express themselves, hear the other person, and then determine how to respond accordingly.  However, due to the nature of how drugs work, there is a drastic rewiring of the brain that can impair cognition, memory, and mood regulation—all the mental processes needed to have a rational, and productive discussion. 

 

4. Financial problems

Money makes the world go round, and apparently, relationships as well. It’s a common trend that divorce rates spike in times of economic hardship, but it’s not just about the bottom line. Money insecurity can cause stress and anxiety, be a blow to self-esteem, and manifest itself as anger. When someone loses a job or incurs a large, unexpected expense like medical bills it can make individuals worry about how to make ends meet. That psychological strain can spell doom for a romantic relationship, with the underlying stress causing increased irritability and greater opportunity for fighting. 

Drug use is not a cheap habit and can put marriages in financially dire straits. It’s not uncommon to hear about a spouse draining a joint bank account to fund their addiction. Treating addiction can be extremely costly as well, costing tens of thousands of dollars depending on the type of rehab and the treatment program.

 

Overcoming Addiction As A Family

Addiction is one of the three most common reasons why marriages end (and it’s often one of the strongest predictors of whether a married couple will get divorced), however, it’s probably not for the reasons you think. Although substance abuse itself is a big issue with a capital ‘B’, it’s the different, indirect ways that drug abuse alters relationship dynamics that are the most harmful. 

However, that’s not to say that being married to an addict is guaranteed to fail. As long as both partners are motivated and willing to make positive changes, the relationship can still survive. If you’re not sure where to begin, peer-based groups offer a low-stakes, non-committal option for both the addicted person and their spouse to get perspective and learn what the recovery process might entail. 

For the addicted person, groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can be an important first step in recognizing that they have a problem. For the spouse, Al-Anon is a group that was created specifically to support the loved ones of an addict and provides an opportunity to hear how others dealt with the relationship to a drug user. No marriage is beyond repair as long as both spouses are committed to overcoming addiction and doing it together.

 

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4012696/

The 9 Most Common Addictions | Latest Addiction Numbers

Addiction is a lot more prevalent than most of us realize. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 60% of the U.S. population has abused drugs within a given year—that’s 165 million Americans! Of those millions, over a quarter of those illicit drug users end up developing a substance use disorder. The question is: which drugs are driving these startling addiction rates? The answer might surprise you. 

 

A few of the major contributors to U.S. drug addiction rates are the substances you would expect, but others are certain to be a shock. In many cases, some of the leading types of addiction aren’t necessarily the most popular drugs, but rather the ones that are the most potent with a mechanism that’s more conducive to the biological process of addiction. Join us as we explore the 10 most common addictions in the United States, including legal and illegal substances. 

 

The 9 Most Common Types of Drug Addiction

Nicotine  – 58 million

This legal drug isn’t just one of the most widely used around the world, it’s also one of the most addictive drugs of all time. In the U.S. alone, there are over 58 million tobacco users. Approximately 25% of users have had some form of tobacco dependency at some point in their lives. Even more alarming, is that tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the county. It’s directly attributable to more than 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5.

According to a study done regarding nicotine intake quantities, 5 milligrams a day can result in addiction. The average cigarette, however, has 10-12 milligrams of nicotine! Nicotine is quickly absorbed by the body and goes from the lungs to the brain in a matter of seconds. 

 

Alcohol – 14.8 million

No surprise with this one. Alcohol is one of the most widely consumed beverages on the planet. A common presence in American culture, alcohol abuse such as binge drinking and heavy drinking are common and have been normalized to such a degree that individuals don’t realize they’re drinking beyond healthy levels. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are the most prolific of treatment options, and whose popularity has given way to dozens of similarly structured organizations that assist with other specific niches of drug addiction. 

 

Marijuana – 4.4 million

It’s not a secret that marijuana is a popular drug (in fact, it’s the most commonly used illicit drug by Americans, 43.5 people). However, what makes its number two spot so surprising is that marijuana addiction is considered to be rather uncommon. The way marijuana works, it naturally carries less risk of causing the compulsive behavior that characterizes addiction. However, it can contribute to long-term cognitive impairment, and therefore can still interfere with daily life and responsibilities enough to be considered a disorder. 

 

Prescription Pain Killers – 1.7. million

In the midst of the third wave of the United State’s opioid crisis, the epidemic use of both legal and illegal opioids has gripped the nation in its deadliest drug epidemic in history. Prescription painkillers have been a driving force behind this latest surge of drug use and are the second most commonly used illicit drug in the country. 

In many instances, addiction to a prescription drug is accidental; a person with a legitimate need is prescribed opiates for too long or for too strong a dosage. The result? Millions of well-intentioned Americans accidentally end up with a dependency on these painkillers, which often ends up being a gateway into harder drugs such as narcotics. 

 

Methamphetamine – 1.1 million

This drug has garnered national attention for several years now for being one of the most addictive and devastating of drugs. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, about two million Americans use meth, and about half of all users are addicted.  Rates of meth overdose have surged across over the past decade and account for 15% of all drug-related deaths. Although typically a stimulant, methamphetamine addiction has been measured and recorded separately by the National Survey on Drugs Use and Health in 2015. 

 

Cocaine – 977,000

Most people think of cocaine as a party drug that’s only used on occasion. While use is not as widespread as some other drugs, this powerful substance can get people hooked after only a couple of uses. And while opioids may currently have the nation’s attention, rates of death caused by cocaine have risen sharply by an average of 27% per year in a 5-year period. 

 

Prescription Sedatives – 751,000

As their name implies, prescription sedatives are primarily used to treat anxiety and panic disorders as well as serving as a sleep aid. These medications are made up of two classes of drugs: barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Both are central nervous depressants that effectively relax the brain by slowing down the messaging, however, barbiturates have largely been replaced by benzodiazepines as being a safer and less addictive alternative. Unfortunately, benzo abuse has still become rampant. Popular sedative medications you’ve likely heard of include Xanax, Valium, and Lunesta. 

 

Heroin – 526,000

Heroin has a much smaller pool of users compared to other opioids. However, what it lacks in the sheer volume of users it makes up for is addictiveness. This potent drug has the potential to cause addiction after a single use, and is one of the leading causes of opioid-related overdoses and deaths, in the United States. In most reporting, heroin is grouped with the general opioid category.

 

Prescription Stimulants – 561,000

These types of medications are primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. As their name might suggest, these drugs can increase feelings of alertness, energy, and focus. Adderall is one of the most well-known prescription stimulants, and also one of the most notorious. Other common prescription stimulants include Ritalin and Concerta. 

It’s not often that stimulant abuse results in addiction. However, instances of overdose and dependence are far more frequent.

 

Getting Help For Common and Uncommon Addictions

No matter what substance you’re addicted to, going to a drug and alcohol rehab can help. These specialized facilities are experts who use a combination of medical treatment (detox and pharmacology) and behavior therapy to break addiction’s physical and psychological bond. They can help individuals identify the source of their drug use, providing invaluable insight into triggers and avoidance strategies. 

 

For those who aren’t ready to take the plunge of formal addiction treatment, 12 step-based groups can be both effective and less intimidating. Alcoholics Anonymous is the most well-known of these groups, however, other options cater to specific types of drug addiction. Narcotics Anonymous will likely be the most encompassing addiction to hard drugs. Fashioned after AA, Narcotic Anonymous meetings offer a minimally disruptive treatment option that uses peer relationships to encourage others to stop using. 

 

Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018.pdf

How To Stage An Intervention

They say that admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery. But getting to that stage can be a challenge all on its own. In many instances, those who are addicted are the last to realize that their substance abuse has gone from a recreational vice to destructive. Interventions are an attempt to confront those individuals about their detrimental behavior. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. The key to increasing the likelihood of your loved one’s success is knowing how to stage an intervention. 

 

Preparing For The Intervention

Interventions are typically arranged by friends or family members but can be done by anyone who has a relationship with the addicted person. These people will serve as the core group of organizers, the intervention team, and should arrange everything from who else is involved to getting the addicted person at the chosen date and time. It is highly recommended to get help from a professional interventionist, who can help ensure that both the planning and the execution of the intervention go smoothly.

 

Choosing The Type of Intervention

Perhaps the most important aspect of an intervention is deciding what kind of intervention it will be. Most tend to think of the kinds involving a gathering of people who are surprising the addicted person in confrontation. While this is a viable and popular option, it isn’t the only one. 

The intervention approach that’s used will determine who is involved, how the topic is broached, and how the recipient of the intervention will be included in the proceedings.

Classic Intervention: A group of people, can be small or large in size, surprise the addicted person with a surprise confrontation. 

Simple Intervention: A single person directly addresses the addiction person in a one-on-one approach.

Family System Intervention: When other family members who struggle with the same addiction appeal to the individual to get help and are also heavily involved in the treatment process. 

Crisis Intervention: Often impromptu; these occur when the addicted person has become a danger to themselves and concerned loved ones need to stabilize the situation.

 

Deciding on the Time & Place of the Intervention

This seemingly straightforward aspect of planning an intervention also requires thoughtfulness and care. In addition to finding a time that works for all parties involved, it’s important to choose a time and place that will be the least stressful for the addicted person. This means being mindful of their schedule and what they might have going on. Do they have a stressful job? Don’t confront them immediately after coming home from work. Perhaps they’ve recently undergone a breakup or were involved in a car accident. Also, don’t have an intervention at a time they’re likely to be intoxicated. If they are at the time of the confrontation, it’s in everyone’s best interest to wait until they’ve sobered up.

Rehearse

No matter what kind of intervention, addressing someone’s drug use can be a touchy subject. Emotions will run high and things can quickly spiral out of control. Conduct a run-through of the intervention so that everyone will know when to speak, what they will say, and be in agreement on the expectations of what they want from the addicted person. 

 

During The Intervention

When it comes time to follow through with the intervention, the best way to maximize the odds of a successful outcome is to come prepared. Participants should have rehearsed what they will say and what they want from the addicted person. These conversations should detail how addiction has hurt their relationship with specific examples.

Avoid Accusations

Focus on how addiction has negatively affected your relationship or their lives. Accusations will only make someone defensive and closed off to you. Avoid labels like “addict” or “junkie” which can further alienate the person you are trying to help.

Stick To The Script

Convincing the addicted person that their drug use has become detrimental to themselves and others will likely involve recounting details of previous issues and encounters. There is plenty of opportunity for emotions to arise from either party; the speaker, with frustration; the addicted person, with denial or outrage. For this reason, it’s recommended that those who will be speaking have their statements written down.

Propose Solutions

Confronting the person and convincing them that their addiction is out of hand is only part of an intervention’s purpose. The ultimate goal is to convince them to seek treatment and get help. As such, it’s crucial to do research about medical detox, rehab programs, or 12 step programs. Be clear in your expectations and include practical information on how you’ll be able to support them to make it happen. The more details you provide, the less room there will be for protest. Look into all the details from payment to logistics to what they could expect. 

 

Set Consequences (and Stick To Them)

If you truly want to convince the addicted person that you are committed to their recovery, you can’t go back on your word. Whether you threaten to stop supporting them financially, cutting them off, or some other means that you may have been enabling them, everyone present must commit to the consequences the addicted person will face if they refuse help. 

 

What If An Intervention Doesn’t Work?

Drug addiction literally rewires the brain and can turn your loved one into an irrational, impulsive person. It’s a very real possibility that an intervention may not be enough to get to them and that it may take several attempts. 

While the goal is to get them into a treatment center, peer-based social groups like Alcoholics Anonymous offer a lower-stakes option that the addicted person may feel less resistance towards. There, individuals won’t be required to be abstinent–the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. Hear the testimonies and triumphs of others who were in similar situations can be a powerful motivating factor, which itself is a major determinant of addiction recovery success. 

Offering to attend meetings with them is an easy way to keep them accountable and offer support. To get started, find AA meetings or NA meetings near you. 

Reading for Addiction Recovery

Recovery is a time for healing, introspection, learning, and growing. While the first few days of recovery are often focused on detoxification, rest, and allowing the body to heal, the subsequent days are about establishing a new healthier routine and learning new skills for relapse prevention. Some recommended activities that promote the goals listed above include meditation, exercise, and reading for recovery. To provide some direction on where to start when it comes to recovery-related books and readings, here is a list to consider and what each text has to offer.

Alcoholics Anonymous – The Big Book

Alcoholics Anonymous and its 12 steps to recovery are outlined in the text more commonly referred to as The Big Book. The book is an incredible resource for individuals in recovery whether they are working the 12 steps or not. One of the best aspects of this book is that it actually includes true recovery stories from AA members. These stories are updated when new editions of the book are released so that the stories are relatable to people today. People in recovery may find these stories helpful because of the fact that the stories are relatable, demonstrate that they are not alone, and provide insight as to what the recovery process can look like.

12 and 12

If you are working on the 12 steps, this book is a tremendously helpful resource. This book goes into detail with full chapters dedicated to each of the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. The brief 1-2 sentences that identify each step can feel vague and confusing to many individuals. This book breaks down what each step means and how to apply the step to the recovery journey. It also goes into the traditions, a lesser-known, but equally important aspect of the program.

As Bill Sees It

Bill was one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and he was a man full of many insights and much wisdom. He also was a man who wrote a lot when it comes to the topic of recovery. In his lifetime, Bill put pen to paper and documented these insights and wisdom. The writings were compiled into a book titled As Bill Sees It, “a daily source of comfort and inspiration.”

Daily Reflections

Containing 365 quotes from AA literature, Daily Reflections is a book that offers exactly what is in its title – a written reflection for each day of the year. Each quote is accompanied by personal reflection from an actual member of Alcoholics Anonymous. A common approach for recovery is taking it one day at a time. This book provides a quick and direct source for recovering addicts to take a moment each day and re-center their focus to recovery. Use it to get through the first year of recovery and pass it on to a new member, or keep it and read through the reflections year after year. There is no wrong option here.

Buying Reading Materials for Recovery

You can easily buy The Big Book or any other AA books and reading materials from the Alcoholics Anonymous website, or you can reach out to your local AA chapter. Oftentimes, AA chapters have used books available for those who do not have the means to purchase a copy.

Substance Addiction vs. Behavioral Addiction

Addiction is a destructive disease that can lead to once-unthinkable consequences. And the addiction doesn’t have to be to heroin, alcohol, cocaine, or any chemical substance for that matter. It is possible and more common than one may think, to be addicted to a particular behavior. Substance addiction and behavioral addiction are different, but there are also a number of similarities between those who struggle with either form of addiction. 

Defining Addiction

When searching for a definition of addiction, most sources focus on chemical dependency and substance addiction. Even on the American Psychiatry Association (APA) website, addiction is defined as “a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence”. Note the use of the term “substance use”. However, we discussed above that behavioral addictions are not that different from substance addiction. Unfortunately, the APA definition reads the way it does because the only behavioral addiction listed in the DSM-V is gambling due to insufficient evidence to support other behavioral addictions. The DSM-V is the most widely used publication guiding the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.

Stanley Peele is a psychologist, psychotherapist, and co-author of the book Love and Addiction. In this publication, Peele describes addiction as when addicted individuals are dependent on a particular set of experiences and goes on to explain that the reaction to chemical substances is just one example of this dependence. This somewhat broader understanding of addiction seems more accurate when considering the reality of behavioral addictions.

Substance Addiction

The APA definition of addiction being a compulsion to use substances despite harmful consequences is quite accurate when referring to chemical substance addiction. Dependency is when the substance needs to be consumed in order for the individual to simply feel normal. An individual with chemical dependency likely will experience withdrawal symptoms if they discontinue drug use. Physical dependence is one criterion for diagnosing a substance use disorder, but the two usually go hand in hand. Treating drug and alcohol addiction requires addressing the physical effects, as well as the behavioral issues that may be associated with use.

Behavioral Addiction

Behavioral addiction is a psychological dependence on a particular set of experiences that are not a reaction to chemical substances, rather behaviors. Unlike a drug or alcohol addiction, someone with a behavioral addiction is not experiencing a physical addiction to anything. This lack of physical addiction means many signs that make it easy to identify the addiction may not be present.

Examples of behavioral addictions include:

  • Gambling addiction
  • Eating disorders
  • Sex Addiction
  • Gaming Addiction
  • Shopping Addiction
  • Pornography Addiction
  • Exercise Addiction

How are substance and behavioral addictions alike?

The multitude of similarities between substance addiction and behavioral addictions may be surprising to many. Most addictive drugs act on the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. Similarly, when behaviors such as gambling or sex are engaged, it triggers the release of pleasure hormones and initiates a reward signal. Additionally, addiction to behaviors can have consequences on the same areas of one’s life as drug addiction. The addict may display functional impairments in there work, relationships, and in various social situations. In both cases, the addict is also likely to continue on with their behavior despite negative consequences that arise.

Behavioral Therapy & Addiction

Although most behavioral addictions are not covered in the DSM-V, behavioral therapy is recognized as one of the most effective forms of treatment for addiction. The goal of behavioral therapy is to identify unhealthy behaviors and change them to produce better outcomes. Behavioral therapy is a promising treatment option for individuals struggling with any form of addiction, but treatment plans should be personalized to meet each individual’s needs.

Sources:

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction/what-is-addiction

https://www.mentalhelp.net/addiction/vs-behavioral-addictions/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354400/

What is Addiction?

According to Google, the definition of addiction is “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity” and the definition of addicted is “physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects.” 

When someone refers to dependence, they may be referring to the physical dependance that the human body develops to certain substances. Alcohol, heroin, and cocaine are some common substances that the human body can become physically dependant on. Once the user stops, they will likely experience withdrawal symptoms. 

Addiction and continued use of mind-altering substances cause changes in brain chemistry that leads to changes in behaviors. This disease is marked by an individual continuing the usage of a substance despite negative consequences to their health, relationships, career, and financial status. 

Addiction Vs. Abuse

Substance abuse is when a substance is used in a way that is indulgent and/or delinquent. An individual can abuse a substance without being addicted, but abuse of certain substances can easily and quickly lead to addiction. Abuse of alcohol and drugs is never a good or safe idea. Overdose on substances such as heroin can happen at any point, even the first use. It simply is not worth the risk of abusing any substance.

Diagnosing Addiction

Diagnosis of addiction can happen on 2 levels: a personal level, and a clinical level. An individual can identify as an addict but not be diagnosed with an addiction or vise versa. Some people are forced into treatment via a court order or social pressure, but those who acknowledge their addiction are likely to be more successful in achieving long term sobriety.  In order to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, more commonly referred to as drug and alcohol addiction, there are certain criteria that a physician will look for. This includes:

  • Tolerance
  • Withdrawal
  • Cravings
  • Hazardous Use
  • Much time spent using
  • Neglected major roles to use
  • Activities given up to use
  • Used larger amounts/longer
  • Failed Attempts to Quit or Control Use
  • Social or interpersonal problems related to use
  • Physical or psychological problems related to use

If 2-3 of these criteria are met, it is considered a mild use disorder, 5-4 is moderate, and 6 or more criteria are diagnosed as a severe substance use disorder.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from a substance use disorder, help is just a phone call away. Call our helpline via the number in the banner at the top of this page to speak with an addiction specialist.