Resolved addictions

In reality, drug dependence is a complex phenomenon and requires more than willpower even though the initial decision to engage in drug use is usually voluntary in most instances. Nevertheless, with the right form of treatment and support, recovery can be achieved. In this regard, based on data from an interview, this paper will comprehensively discuss addiction concerning development of the problem, signs and symptoms, problem recognition and willingness to get help, unsuccessful attempts at change, positive treatment outcomes, and finally, perceptions of how life has been different since recovery. Interviewee’s Profile Frederick “Freddy” Housley is middle-aged man living in Niagara Fall, Canada. He works as a firefighter and is a recovering alcoholic. Notably, this provided him with the opportunity to satisfy his curiosity and even to prove that he was “cool.

” Freddy states that being a fearful child and teenager, the lack of adult presence and supervision made it easier to engage in this wrongful behavior. He argues that while the taste was displeasing, his first experience with alcohol made him feel good about himself for the first time in his life. He voices that “My sisters and I had a difficult childhood. My father would physically and verbally abuse us, and this got to me growing up. 3 and 72. 7 respectively. Many factors contribute to drug use at such a young age. Boecker et al. (2017) assert that puberty is a critical period in human development. Moreover, for families where the mother is an alcoholic, the effects are less adverse compared to families of alcoholic fathers.

Still, living with alcoholic parents can be problematic for children even in their later years. Developmental factors also contribute to alcohol and substance abuse and addiction risk. Various regions of the brain mature at a different pace. For example, the limbic system which is responsible for regulating emotion and mediating fear and anxiety matures during the early stages of adolescence. Freddy also maintains that he gave up his social life and stopped engaging in recreational activities that he once loved. Over time, he became isolated due to the amount of time spent in clubs and trying to recover. Another symptom that the interviewee mentioned regarding his alcohol dependence is making excuses or justifying heavy drinking. For example, Freddy recalls that one of the common justifications is that he was under a lot of pressure or that drinking was a way to socialize.

Notably, this led him to stick to the habit even though he did not need alcohol. They try to convince themselves and others that their use of alcohol or other substances is rational or justified. The denial phase often comes to an abrupt halt due to a specific event (DiClemente, Schlundt, & Gemmell, 2004). In Freddy’s case, his point of clarity came when he contributed to his girlfriend’s miscarriage. “I got a girl pregnant when I was 23. Actually, I didn’t know her too well. I was alone,” revealed Freddy. The man disclosed going into depression, a common experience among people dealing with addiction. Miller (2015) validates that as a mental disorder, depression often co-occurs with alcohol and substance abuse. The connection between these conditions is bi-directional.

This means that individuals who abuse drugs have a higher risk of suffering from depression, and vice versa. Freddy admits that this gave him comfort and strength to resist the temptation for, but he relapsed after less than a week. He notes that even though spirituality plays a huge role, treatment and support is also vital. However, lack of information and exposure made it difficult to get substantial assistance. First, with him living on the streets, he thought that rehabilitation facilities charged a vast amount and secondly, he had no one to talk to about his situation for fear of being judged. In the end, he opted to speak to the priest of one of the churches in his locality. Also, he was experiencing specific withdrawal symptoms like nausea and vomiting, sweating, hand tremors, and anxiety, among others.

The state of feeling sick frequently pushed him to consume alcohol to minimize these effects. Unfortunately, the program only relied on talk therapy, and such challenges were not handled effectively. Moreover, living on the streets and the stress that came with it made him more vulnerable to constant alcohol abuse. Miller (2015) argues that homelessness is often associated with alcoholism and reduces the chances for recovery. Seeking treatment involves personal reflections concerning how one got into that situation and realizing that there are opportunities for a better life. On the other hand, mental clarity is about understanding and recognizing the costs of addiction and seeing the profound benefits of seeking treatment and healing (DiClemente, Schlundt, & Gemmell, 2004). In the rehabilitation facility, Freddy was introduced to a multifaceted treatment approach.

He maintains that after a comprehensive evaluation, he went through detox in the first stages of treatment. Medical detox involves using medication to treat the withdrawal symptoms. Also, he learned to forgive himself for his past mistakes as well as those he had hurt. Absolute Transformation At the time of the interview, Freddy had been sober for more than ten years. Since leaving the rehabilitation facility at the age of 27, he had committed that each day would be part of the healing process to become a better person. Freddy reports to going back to college and obtaining his diploma in Fire and Safety studies. He then worked as a qualified firefighter and later met his wife who worked as a nurse.

With the right kind of treatment and support, recovery is possible. References American Psychiatric Association.  Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. American Psychological Association. Habitual alcohol seeking: Modeling the transition from casual drinking to addiction.  Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 47, 281–294. https://doi-org. libproxy. edmc. , Buchmann, A. F. , … Laucht, M. Association between pubertal stage at first drink and neural reward processing in early adulthood.  Addiction Biology, 22(5), 1402–1415. pdf Christoffersen, M. N. , & Soothill, K. The long-term consequences of parental alcohol abuse: a cohort study of children in Denmark.  Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 25(2), 107. C. , Schlundt, D. , & Gemmell, L. Readiness and stages of change in addiction treatment.  American journal on addictions, 13(2), 103-119.  Relapse prevention: Maintenance strategies in the treatment of addictive behaviors.