Explaining Causes, Relief & Treatment Of Addiction

In a compelling read by Dr Tim Clinton, he explains what addiction is, the effects on a person, what causes addiction and what relief is and how it can come about for various types of addictions.

Addictions

The new century presents many challenges. In a time of impatience and selfishness, a person’s wants and desires often can gain instant gratification. Science and culture provide helpful advances and opportunities. However, some people get trapped in a downward spiral of addiction to substances and behaviours used to gratify impatient desires.

What is Addiction?

The word “addiction” technically means that the brain has become neurochemically dependent on substances ingested into the body, or on the chemicals the brain produces when one performs certain behaviours. Neurochemical dependence assumes the brain will actually “crave” the substance or substance-producing behaviour. Over time, more of the substance is required to achieve the same effect in the brain because the brain has an amazing ability to adjust whatever is put into it. This factor is called “tolerance.” It also means that when any addict stops the addictive behaviour, the brain will “rebel” against the absence and go through a phase of detoxification.

Neurochemical addiction is caused by chemicals such as alcohol, cocaine, or heroin. However, some believe that certain behaviours can create neurochemical reactions. Sexual thoughts, for example, create certain chemicals that cause intense feelings of pleasure. Simply fantasizing about sex can create these “pleasure” chemicals. Experts in sexual addiction argue that sexual thought and activity can create a neurochemical addiction similar to a substance addiction. Gamblers, likewise, experience a release of adrenaline when they take risks with money. A gambler can become addicted to the body’s production of this chemical. Research has further shown that very few addicts suffer only one addiction. They may have a dominant one, but they also turn to a variety of other addictions as well. A new diagnosis that is gaining acceptance is Multiple Addiction Disorder (MAD). Whether addicts use chemicals or chemical-producing behaviours or both, their brains become a chemical smorgasbord.

One factor that can make recovery so difficult is the synergy of the neurochemical and emotional dependencies involved in addiction. Substances and behaviours get associated with relief of certain emotions even while they are creating a chemical dependency. Smokers know, for example, that they can detoxify from the effects of nicotine in a few days. What is harder, though, is the emotional dependency they created by associating smoking with relaxing or with relaxing situations.

What Causes Addiction?

Addicts are lonely. They are starving for love, attention, and nurture. Many are angry that their needs—either when they were children, or as adults—have gone unmet. Some are angry at having been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused as children. The combination of loneliness and anger drives addicts deeper into their addiction. They may even be angry at God for not taking away or “delivering” them from their desires. Addicts often did not form healthy attachments to parents and others as children; they may not know how to find real love. That is why many people substitute addictive substances or behaviours for relationships.

Addiction is a problem of original sin—addicts believe they can control their lives better than God can. In seeking control, addicts are totally out of control. “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Rom. 7:14, 15). An addiction will get worse over time; it will always lead to destructive consequences.

Relief From Addiction

Relief from addiction is usually referred to as “sobriety.” The addict is in “recovery.” When addicts experience ongoing sobriety, they will occasionally need to celebrate these victories. Achieving sobriety and staying in recovery is a combination of spiritual, emotional, and physical work.

Spiritually, addicts must take the risk of confessing their powerlessness. They fear that if others know about their addiction, they will be ridiculed and abandoned. Fellowship with others who can tell their stories to one another is one of the essential elements of getting well. Confessing powerlessness to others brings an addict closer to being willing to return control to God. This is in the spirit of James 5:16, which encourages fellow believers to confess sin to each other in order to bring healing.

Emotionally, addicts will need to address old wounds that have caused them to feel unloved and unlovable. This may be a matter of intensive counselling that addresses traumas and memories of abuse as a child. Healthy churches will work to create opportunities for them to have support groups. This kind of fellowship is also a kind of accountability. It is support that reminds an addict about staying sober from the addictive activity. Sponsors, mentors, or guides who have become sober for longer periods of time will be an integral part of an accountability network. Addicts will need to be accountable to change the behaviours that led to addiction. New habits of healthy behaviour will need to be substituted for old destructive patterns.

Physically, addicts may need to seek medical evaluation or medical intervention. They may need medical help to detoxify. Also, some may need evaluation as to whether or not medications are necessary to bring brain chemistry back to a healthy balance.

The treatment of any addiction is often a very specialised program and will require caregivers that are experienced in providing one. Ultimately, we must all remember that there is a hunger for God and for fellowship that underlies all addictions. We must be quick to provide soul care for those needs if we are to truly help addicts to be set free from their addictions.

Further Meditation:

Other passages to study about the issue of addictions include:

Psalms 44:21; 51:1–19
Proverbs 23:21, 29–35
Luke 21:34
1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
Ephesians 5:18
Hebrews 10:22–25

Where to Get Help

Talk to your doctor and see a mental health professional.
Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.
Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.

Free 24/7 Counselling Services

Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890

Studying at aifc

Have you thought about counselling?   It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God’s love and grace to the hurting out in the community.

For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:

–The beginning of each year in February
-Mid-Year courses commence in July

Enrolment Season – opens approximately 2 months prior our courses commencing. Enquire now and fill out the form with your details to receive course information by email.  Enrol online here during our enrolment season.

Those living overseas can study aifc’s courses via our Distance Based Program.
The International  Student Program,  enables those with a student visa to Study On Campus in Sydney.

Note: A Master of Counselling course will be commencing in 2018.

Contact aifc Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm with your enquiries on 6242 5111 or toll free on 1300 721 397