Jun
15
Written by:
LVRCfamily
6/15/2009 12:44 PM
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as “a primary, chronic, neurobiological disease, i.e., a brain disease; with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.” Addiction is a progressive disease and is potentially fatal, if left untreated.
Whether a loved one is using alcohol, prescription drugs, or street drugs, we refer to the addictive use of substances as the disease of addiction. The destructive force of this disease not only incapacitates the individual who has addiction problems, but often destroys the most important interpersonal relationship one can have—the family. Anyone who has a loved one suffering from this disease and/or drug dependence may know the fear, anxiety, embarrassment, shame, and anger it can cause. In other words, families get sick along with the addicted person. Watching a loved one in the grip of addiction can be agonizing and can leave family members feeling confused. But there is hope, and recovery is possible. For treatment to be successful—whether for the addict or family—it is helpful to understand the many aspects of addiction.
Addiction is a family disease with many dynamics. The family dynamics of addiction can be painful, and if not addressed, may make the recovery process difficult for the whole family. Addiction can be as painful for the family as it is for the addict. No one wants a loved one to be sick, and many addicts use for years before the family is aware of it. Addiction is the only disease that convinces the individual that he or she does not have it. Addiction is the only disease that also may convince the family their loved one does not have it! At LVRC, we understand these dynamics and understand how hard it may be for the family to comprehend this basic truth: As the addict becomes sicker with addiction or drug dependence, so do family members.
The addictive use of substances does not happen overnight,and over time the consequences of using addictively affect the individual and the family physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Addiction is a primary disease with many manifestations that are not all drug-related. Many addicts develop a pattern of behaviors and thought processes that are all part of the disease—obsession, compulsion, self-centeredness, minimization, rationalization, and denial. Once locked in this downward spiral, the individual experiences endless bouts of self-hatred, selfdestruction, remorse, guilt, and shame.