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300 N. Washington St., Suite #500
Alexandria, VA 22314

703-518-8883
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703-518-8883
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DO YOU USE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL TO MANAGE YOUR EMOTIONS?

December 12, 2016 / Robyn E. Brickel, MA, LMFT / Addiction Treatment and
Recovery, Trauma-Informed Care


I really dislike the word addict to describe someone. I believe that people are
more than just their addiction! Yes, many of my clients are trauma survivors who
use (or have used) drugs and alcohol (or food or self-harming behavior) to feel
less badly and they are/have been addicted to their drug of choice, but they are
people in pain. More than just the word addict is needed to describe them.

The truth is, if someone is using drugs or alcohol, it’s likely the best coping
mechanism they’ve got right now. That’s right. They are using as a coping
mechanism… not because it’s fun or enjoyable.

Let’s face it. The general public sees addicts as bad people. But when addiction
touches your life—it suddenly becomes clear that addiction isn’t selective
between good people and bad people. It impacts everyone. While tragically
addiction is becoming more common, it’s also (thankfully!) becoming less
stigmatized.

I believe it demonstrates a major shift in our country’s perception that the
Surgeon General is calling for compassion. I applaud and say it’s about time!

“This Report is a call to all Americans to change the way we address substance
misuse and substance use disorders in our society. Past approaches to these
issues have been rooted in misconceptions and prejudice and have resulted in a
lack of preventive care; diagnoses that are made too late or never; and poor
access to treatment and recovery support services, which exacerbated health
disparities and deprived countless individuals, families, and communities of
healthy outcomes and quality of life. Now is the time to acknowledge that these
disorders must be addressed with compassion and as preventable and treatable
medical conditions.”

In light of this powerful statement, I want to help further the compassion with
a few tips and resources:

 * You can’t treat addiction without treating trauma. There is always a reason
   someone is using drugs or alcohol and a pattern of addiction has taken hold.
   Often times, this reason can be a perceived trauma in the person’s life.
   While trauma is in the eye of the perceiver and can be different for
   everyone—it’s crucial that we treat addiction through a trauma-informed lens.
 * Understanding addiction is key to responding effectively. By better
   understanding the nature and formation of addiction, we can help people with
   addiction and their loved ones find new, positive ways to support the journey
   to recovery. Understanding addiction.
 * Opiate addiction is widespread—and compassion is essential. Right now, there
   is a heroin/opiate epidemic going on. It’s spanning all communities, all
   ages, all races, all genders, and all socioeconomic statuses! Like the
   Surgeon General stated, compassion is essential in treating addiction.
 * If your adolescent is using… If you believe your child is using drugs or
   alcohol, talking with them is very important. No matter how terrified or
   anxious you feel, your love and concern can provide great strength for your
   child’s recovery. Discover how to talk with your adolescent about their drug
   or alcohol use and learn about substance abuse and the teenage mind.
 * If you are a family member of someone using addiction… I understand how hard
   it is to watch a family member who is using addiction. I understand how
   powerless you feel as you watch your loved one struggle in the depth of their
   addiction. What I’m about to tell you is really important: YOU deserve care
   too.

As a trauma-informed therapist who treats addiction, I know that addiction and
recovery don’t happen overnight. But I also know that there is help and that it
works. In almost 20 years of practice, I have seen so many people recover, get
healthy, and no longer have the need to use the addiction. There is hope!

RecoveryConnection.com first featured this article at: Do You Use Drugs and
Alcohol to Manage Your Emotions.

Free Resources

 * AA,org
 * Al-anon.org
 * NA,org

Other articles I’ve written on addiction and compassion that may be helpful:

 * Understanding Self-Harming Behavior: Healing with Self-Care and Compassion
 * Why People with Eating Disorders Need Our Compassion

 

 

 

 

 

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RECENT POSTS

 * You Deserve Collaborative Care from your Healthcare Providers!
 * What is Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)?
 * The Willow Tree Summit: Interview with Robyn Brickel, MA, LMFT
 * Where did all this judgment come from? Why are we such harsh critics?
 * Living Breathing Medicine Podcast – Delivering Trauma-Informed Care with
   Psychotherapist Robyn Brickel


MORE ON THESE TOPICS:

 * Addiction Treatment and Recovery
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 * Sex After Trauma
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