There is a reason that many people in recovery say, “Alcohol and substances are but a symptom of deeper issues,” or “It’s a thinking problem rather than a drinking problem.” It is because the underlying issues of addiction tend to be the most serious struggle that needs to be addressed. The good news is there is help, hope, and many effective ways to treat addiction.
How Common Is Addiction in the U.S.?
Addiction remains highly prevalent in the U.S. There are both high instances of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and substance use disorder (SUD). According to the Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), “48.7 million people aged 12 or older (or 17.3%) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, including 29.5 million who had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), 27.2 million who had a drug use disorder (DUD), and 8.0 million people who had both an AUD and a DUD.”
It is also important to remember that there is a high number of people in the U.S. who also struggle with addiction and underlying issues of mental health (comorbidities). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. This doesn’t mean that one caused the other and it can be difficult to determine which came first… Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.” Mental illness can also be a cause of addiction. But it is certainly not the only one.
What Are the Common Causes of Addiction?
There are many causes of addiction. According to NIDA, “As with other diseases and disorders, the likelihood of developing an addiction differs from person to person, and no single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to drugs. In general, the more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to drug use and addiction.”
Some of the risk factors of addiction include having a history of addiction in the family and/or having a family member in the home who struggles with addiction. Also, experiencing some type of trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse, combat trauma, or a traumatic event like a car accident or natural disaster.
Other risk factors may be socioeconomic and regional. There is also potential that experiencing systematic social abuse, such as racism, can be an underlying cause of addiction. Being exposed to substances in social settings at a young age can also be a cause of addiction.
Many people don’t realize how much correlation there is between AUD and SUD from childhood to adulthood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Although most youth are in good health, some youth are at an increased risk for behaviors that can lead to poor health outcomes, such as high-risk substance use. The majority of adults who meet the criteria for having a substance use disorder started using substances during their teen and young adult years,” and “Youth with substance use disorders also experience higher rates of physical and mental illnesses, diminished overall health and well-being, and potential progression to addiction.”
Who Is Most Susceptible to Addiction?
There are many people who are most susceptible to addiction. These include both young people and adults who struggle with mental illness. It also includes people with a genetic history of addiction and those who live in more poverty-prone regions in the U.S.
People who have a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are also at a higher risk of becoming addicted to alcohol and/or substances. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Center for PTSD, “More than 2 of 10 Veterans with PTSD also have SUD. Almost 1 out of every 3 Veterans seeking treatment for SUD also has PTSD.” Also, “In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, about 1 in 10 returning Veterans seen in VA have a problem with alcohol or other drugs.”
People who are also exposed to addiction in the home are more susceptible to AUD and/or SUD. These are just some of the reasons why being able to spot some of the signs and symptoms of addiction as soon as possible is so important.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Addiction signs and symptoms can manifest in many different ways, and it is true that these symptoms often vary from individual to individual. However, there are some signs and symptoms that are more universal. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Isolating away from family and friends
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Having issues with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (insomnia)
- Struggling with issues of anxiety and depression
- Going through withdrawals when not drinking or using
- Experiencing repercussions at school or work
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings and outbursts
- Having relationship issues
- A lack of care for one’s appearance and personal hygiene
- Feeling nervous or “shaky”
- Having feelings of hopelessness and/or helplessness
- Feeling like there is “no way out”
- Committing self-harm
- Having suicidal ideation
As one can see, these can be very serious symptoms. If any, many, or all of these signs or symptoms are present, it is highly advised that professional help be sought sooner than later. Doing so may be the difference between a loved one experiencing short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
What Does It Mean to Treat the Underlying Issues of Addiction?
Treating the underlying issues of addiction means getting to the root/core causes of one’s addiction. It also means an attempt to heal one at the molecular level.
This means that addiction cannot be treated by simply putting down the drink and/or the drug. It means that serious action must be taken to heal. This includes being willing to admit that there is a problem, accept help for that problem, and take the right action steps to address that problem.
Now, this can be seen in the way people recover from addiction by utilizing the Twelve Steps of recovery. The First Step reads, “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol [and/or substances] – that our lives had become unmanageable.” It is this underlying issue of powerlessness that must also be addressed to recover from addiction.
How Are the Underlying Issues of Addiction Treated?
The underlying issues of addiction can be treated in a variety of different ways. Now, the most prominent way is via psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) (which will be discussed shortly).
Other ways of treating addiction include experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy, surf therapy, horticulture therapy, and art therapy. Then is also a more holistic approach that includes practices like massage, reiki, yoga therapy, and meditation.
Meditation can be particularly beneficial because it can heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency. Physiological benefits include reduced blood pressure, heart rate, lactate, cortisol, and epinephrine; decreased metabolism, breathing pattern, oxygen utilization, and carbon dioxide elimination; and increased melatonin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), skin resistance, and relative blood flow to the brain.”
The Importance of Individualized Recovery
Regardless of the various means, methods, and modalities that are used to help someone get to the underlying issues of addiction, it is important that the process happens on an individualized basis. Here at NorthStar Recovery Center, we have found that overarching, “one-note” recovery plans rarely work. They must be tailor-made for the individual.
This includes doing a full intake analysis that looks at many factors like home life, work life, mental health issues, and history of family addiction. Also, this helps to see the individual rather than the addiction that they are diagnosed with. As the Father of Western medicine, Hippocrates, famously said, “It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.” It is also important to have a multi-angled approach to recovery.
The Importance of Comprehensive Recovery
Comprehensive recovery plans are crucial if one is to heal at the cellular level. Now, this includes utilizing many means, methods, and modalities at the same time. This ensures that there are many options that one can use depending on what is working for the individual. If something is not effective then there will always be something else available to try until efficacy starts to occur. Focusing on comprehensive recovery also best ensures against a relapse.
Relapse is more common than many people may think in the U.S. According to the peer-reviewed journal Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.”
Another effective way to avoid a relapse is to work with other people in recovery. This is discussed more in depth in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (most commonly referred to as the Big Book) in a chapter entitled “Working With Others.” The chapter states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery. It works when other activities fail… You can help when no one else can.” Another way to best avoid relapse is with CBT
Treating Underlying Issues With Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
CBT is an essential psychotherapy to get to the underlying issues of addiction. This is because it focuses on one’s negative cognitions and emotions that cause negative actions.
CBT’s focus is also on the negative way people think about themselves and the world around them. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) refers to a class of interventions that share the basic premise that mental disorders and psychological distress are maintained by cognitive factors. The core premise of this treatment approach, as pioneered by Beck (1970) and Ellis (1962), holds that maladaptive cognitions contribute to the maintenance of emotional distress and behavioral problems. According to Beck’s model, these maladaptive cognitions include general beliefs, or schemas, about the world, the self, and the future, giving rise to specific and automatic thoughts in particular situations.”
CBT also lends itself to other types of therapy. This includes group therapy, trauma therapy, and family therapy.
Treating Underlying Issues With Family Therapy
It is important to remember that addiction is a “disease.” Addiction is not some type of choice or personal preference. Also, just like addiction is a disease, it is a “family disease.” This is because it affects not only the individual but also everyone close to that individual. Now, this is especially true of close family members.
Family therapy works to heal the family by creating a safe space for each member to express themselves without fear of judgment. This therapy can also be highly beneficial for young people and young adults in recovery.
According to the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, “Caregivers, including parents, grandparents, family members, and family of choice, hold a critical role in shaping youth behavior through their parenting practices, and their emotional relationships. Positive caregiver-child relationships that include warmth, cohesion, and support can serve as a critical protective factor from engagement in problematic behavior. We assert that the importance of the caregiver-child relationship extends through adolescence and remains salient into young adulthood.” Another therapy that can be highly beneficial for getting to underlying issues is trauma therapy.
Treating Underlying Issues With Trauma Therapy
Trauma is highly prevalent among those struggling with addiction. According to the American Journal of Men’s Health, “Traumatic experiences are common among drug abusers, and studies have demonstrated up to 80% – 90% prevalence. Men’s trauma and drug abuse have been studied to some extent, although women seem to have gained much more attention from researchers. While half of all children encounter violence in some form throughout their childhoods, only around half of the men who suffer from stress or other post-traumatic difficulties due to childhood trauma seek assistance upon reaching adulthood.”
Trauma therapy gets to these underlying issues of trauma and helps to safely bring them to the surface so they can be addressed in a healthy way. Like CBT and family therapy, it also creates a safe space to express one’s emotions and struggles. Other highly effective means of getting to underlying issues lie in the holistic realm.
Treating Underlying Issues Holistically
Holistic treatments have long been shown to help people with addiction. This includes practices like the previously mentioned meditation and something a little more active like yoga therapy.
Yoga offers a myriad of benefits for those struggling with addiction. According to the International Journal of Yoga (IJOY), “Therapeutic yoga is defined as the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions. Yoga therapy involves instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent reduce or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional and spiritual pain, suffering or limitations. Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.”
Long-Term Success With NorthStar Recovery Center
Here at NorthStar Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why we focus on underlying issues in an individualized and comprehensive manner.
It is important to remember that recovery from addiction is about the journey, never the destination. That successful journey can start right here with us, right now.
Alcohol and/or substances are rarely the sole problem. There are underlying issues that cause negative addictive behaviors. These underlying issues, such as trauma and PTSD, need to be addressed if an individual is going to fully heal. One of the best ways to address these underlying issues is by engaging with a highly focused day treatment program. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this alone. For more information about the importance of getting to one’s underlying issues of addiction, please call NorthStar Recovery Center today at (888) 311-0911.