What Does Someone Need to Overcome Drug and Alcohol Use?
Some people are under the impression that substance addiction is caused entirely by a lack of willpower. They believe that all a person needs to do to overcome addiction is to just say ‘no’ to drugs and alcohol.
Willpower is certainly part of the equation. This is why many treatment programs emphasize the management of cravings. However, the reality of recovery is that it is far more complicated.
Many people who have an addiction, whether it is to a substance or a specific behaviour like shopping, develop the addiction mentioned above because it helps them cope with a mental health disorder.
Treatment centers offer dual diagnosis treatment for this exact reason. By treating a person’s mental health, they can treat a major driver for process addiction or substance use.
People who have an alcohol or drug addiction also need a safe place to detox. This is why recovery centers offer detox as part of their substance abuse treatment.
Behavioral health conditions such as addiction will also often require social support. Because of this, group therapy is often a major part of the rehabilitation process.
Achieving sobriety will often take more than just willpower. It is a part of it but only one part of a multi-pronged recovery program.