Facing addiction

TAKING drugs and substances is one of the many poor coping mechanisms available to those who might be struggling with some form of mental distress. Most of the drugs are psychoactive and addictive. They do not help, but further worsen mental disorders or illness.

Addictions, however, go beyond drugs and substances we are focusing on.

There are other subtler but equally damaging addictions like work, gambling, power and money.

Essentially, anything can be abused. Every addict has a mental health issue at the core of their addiction.

It could be as simple as poor anger or anxiety management or inability to sleep.

However, it is usually an unresolved psychological trauma that makes them have some level of distress. Depending on the length of time they have been addicted, most end up with more personality type problems, often referred to as personality disorders.

The most common types associated with addictions are: antisocial personality disorder, characterised by violent, dramatic or noisy ways of resolving problems; and the dependent personality disorder, whereby one depends on others or things for one’s well being.

There is also the emotionally unstable personality disorder, which comes in two forms.

First, there is the borderline type, where one does things to “deliberately” hurt themselves.

Second, there is the impulsive type, where one does not learn from the consequences of one’s actions. Abusing harmful substances is also thought of as “deliberate” self-harm.

Many often struggle to work with people with such personality disorders, some of whom cut or burn themselves or become promiscuous.

This is closely linked to the depressive personality disorder.

The goal of these behaviours is to try to transfer the emotional pain/distress to something more physical that they can at least have some control over.

Personality disorders are not easy to treat and are regarded as manipulative.

Most of the people who have these disorders know they need help but are not willing to do the hard work required.

Therefore, they opt for substances and other easier options that numb their pain.

Most also access help but quickly become frustrated if results do not come instantly, a condition known as the Pollyanna syndrome.

Practitioners often struggle to work with this client group.

This is the dilemma of dealing with addictions. It is not just the substance to worry about, but also the reluctance and resistance to treatment. However, to a greater extent, addictions are more of a family/community problem than an individual’s. Interventions must be protracted, multi-pronged and involve significant family and community members.

Isolating the diagnosis to the individual simply perpetuates the stigma and judgement.

They require both physical and psychological dependency issues to be addressed, otherwise resolving one of the two is unhelpful.

We must stand together and stop pointing fingers if we are to turn the tide.

Effective solutions go beyond rehabilitation centres.

They must include a host of other community-based support services like psychological and social interventions.