Addiction


How do you know when you need help? Here some of the signs below

You may have already reached the point where you have...

Lost your family

Job or career down the pan

Relationships have been destroyed

Children taken into care - or children disowned you

In conflict with others who love you and care about you

Financial worries or debt due to addiction cost or loss of your job

Found yourself constantly telling lies and maybe committing crimes

Loved ones may have tried to make you see what you are doing to yourself or others - with little or no results.

If you have failed to reach out for help but recognised some of the above; the chances are you are in denial. You may argue and dispute others opinions - and at this point relationships can become severely if not irreversibly damaged. You may loose everything you once loved and valued, all down to addiction. Time for change??

There are many addictions but I have just covered the more familiar ones...

DRUGS

Whatever the substance or drug of choice, drug abuse AND drug addiction are characterised by the damaging ways in which the substance or drug takes over the individual’s life, disrupting his or her daily functioning at home, school, or work, leading to repeated drug-related legal problems and unhealthy relationships, and adversely affecting his or her overall quality of life.

Because drug addicts are so good at denying their drug-related behavior, it is important for non-addicts to become more aware of the various signs of drug addiction so that they may be able to convince the addict to get the professional help they need.

  • Mood swings

  • Irritability

  • Paranoid behaviour

  • Isolating self

  • Aggression

  • Looking spaced out, anxious and other odd behaviours

  • Money going missing

  • Bills unpaid

And these are just some of the signs...

SEX

Destructive and dangerous is a good way of describing sex addiction. Putting at risk your relationship, job and reputation and also your health.

You are a sex addict when ...

  • You and your relationships are suffering as a result of your sexual compulsivity.

  • You are telling lies, pretending or hiding what you do associated with sex.

  • You are becoming more and more preoccupied with Internet dating, phone sex or computer sex (cyber sex).

  • You are engaging in more and more risky sexual behaviours.

  • Your sexual behaviours could be characterised as driven, compulsive and hidden.

  • You promise yourself you will stop engaging in risky sexual behaviours – for example, having anonymous sex with strangers – visiting webcams - signing up for dating sites when you are in a committed relationship.

  • When you have been caught and know your relationship is at risk.. but still you consistently break your promises.

  • You are doing less of the things that were important to you - for example, seeing friends or family, going out or enjoying hobbies and you would rather engage in soulless sexual behaviour at any cost, instead of engaging in normal activity with those you care for.

ALCOHOL

The use of alcohol in excess has many physical damaging effects. It can lead to the development of a variety of conditions from, high blood pressure, liver disease, heart attacks, stomach ulcers, nerve damage and memory loss through brain damage, along with disturbances in balance and speech - in fact the future looks grim.

Then along the way comes the loss of everything that was ever important:

  • Partner

  • Family

  • Friends

  • Job

  • Home

  • Self-worth

There are various treatments available to help people with addiction , the most valuable being the psychological support.

However, if you are at the stage where you are craving drink on waking, sweating at night profusely and shaking in the mornings it will be essential to seek out a detox programme either supplied through the help and referral from your G.P or through a rehabilitation centre for drug and alcohol.

IT IS POTENTIALY DANGEROUS TO STOP DRINKING SUDDENLY IF YOU ARE A HEAVY DRINKER

There are various medicines available to help you stop drinking: Disulfiram (Antibuse), Acamprosate (Campral), Naltrexone.

I can help advise you or refer you to an experienced clinician for a private assessment.

Channel 5 documentary January 2016

http://www.theguardian.com/…/alcoholics-alcoholism-drinking…

Clearly what emerges from the documentary is that the people in it could only acknowledge their alcohol dependency, after they stopped drinking.

GAMBLING

  • Are you risking you financial security, relationship and much more due to the compulsive urge to gamble?

  • Are you constantly focused on your next exploit?

  • Do you lie and hide the truth from others?

  • Do you neglect sleep and eating - washing or exercising?

Testimonial - Alcohol

'if you had have asked me about counselling a few years ago, I would have laughed or taken the P.... Men like me don't do that kind of thing. I don't talk for starters, so that just was not going to work ever for me.

Then an old friend told me about his breakdown and how Jan had got him right. He was a soldier and I thought he was as tough as nails, so I was shocked to find he had been considering topping himself and shocked he had a therapist.

I was angry with life, drinking too much, messed up a marriage and did not see my kids anymore. I hated myself and life and things were getting worse. My mate told me I should sort my life out before I end up like him, he was clueless that I was already like him.

I do not know what she does? It did not feel awkward or embarrassing and I found myself telling her everything and she got it. She really got it and made me understand what had happened and that it was and could be OK again.

I sometimes mention her to my mate and we laugh and say ' I wonder what Jan would make of that?

I owe her a lot. Thanks Jan. DC"

©janslatercounselling 2021