The reality of Drug Addiction

If you have a drug addiction that is escalating out of control and you are not sure how to cope, it's time to consider getting professional help to see you through the withdrawal stage. Substance abuse affects so many and even though you probably feel isolated and afraid, you are not alone. Irrespective of the hold the drugs may have over you right now, there is always hope for full recovery and understanding why you became addicted can help.

Drug addiction often starts by simple experimentation, you may have felt a natural curiosity if friends or colleagues were taking drugs and at first, the drugs probably offered you a solution to a problem and so you continued. Many drug addicts feel that they are in control of their drug taking but in reality, as the addiction escalates, your ability to stop taking the drugs is compromised.

Drugs offer a type of escape. Perhaps you felt depressed or lonely or needed to numb any emotional or physical traumas, it is a misconception of course that drugs are the answer as they simply mask the underlying problems.

Some addicts feel that they are weak to have started taking drugs and cannot understand why they cannot stop, but having a drug addiction does not make you a lesser person, it just means that you were more vulnerable and susceptible at that time. Stopping isn't all about willpower and suddenly making up your mind to stop, the drug affects your brain which makes you experience overwhelming cravings for more, and this is why it is difficult to quit. Denial is very common and you may not even be aware of the extent of your problem, for example:

Are you taking more drugs to achieve the same effect?Have you been in trouble with the law through your drug taking?Are your relationships becoming difficult?Are you becoming unpredictable when taking drugs and putting yourself in dangerous situations?Are you becoming unreliable and neglecting important duties?

If you seriously wish to give up drugs, speaking to a trained counsellor can make all the difference. Family and friends may wish to be supportive but sometimes, their need to get you better can make you feel guilty by the continual compulsion to take more drugs, whereas a professional counsellor will understand the compulsions that drive you and will be non judgemental.

If you have tried to give up before but lapsed, don't think that addiction help will be less successful this time. Unfortunately addiction recovery may take some time and there can be set-backs en-route, these set-backs often cause despondency and increased feelings of failure and guilt, but don't worry, you can get your treatment back on track.

Overcoming your addiction will mean making significant changes to your lifestyle and this includes potentially avoiding others who are taking drugs as this will help you to avoid temptation. Try to hold on to the fact that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that you are doing a brave thing, you should not feel ashamed or try to punish yourself. The chemicals within the drugs will have altered your brain and will have stopped you thinking rationally, this is what makes drugs so very dangerous. If you wish to overcome your drug addiction, remain resolute, ask for help and know that you are starting on the road to recovery, it make take some time, but the end is in sight.

Jim Moustakas is the CEO of My Life Assistant Pty Ltd an online counseling and life coaching interactive platform. My Life Assistant provides a live 24 hour counseling or coaching service by qualified counselors, psychologists and life coaches from around the world. To get full access now please visit http://www.mylifeassistant.com/SignUp.aspx select whether you are a general user or a therapist and get started right away.

View the original article here