Addiction is a complicated condition where you compulsively take a substance or involve yourself in an activity because of its habit-forming qualities and the immediate gratification that accompanies the activity, especially in cases of drug or alcohol consumption.
This gratification diminishes over time, meaning you need to take more and more of a substance to get the same high.
You can get addicted to any number of intoxicants, including:
You may also experience behavioral addiction to activities, such as gambling or overeating, that provide an immediate rush and potential for that same instant gratification.
Scientific evidence suggests that addictive drugs and behaviors share a neurobiological component. They both activate brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, especially those involving the neurotransmitter dopamine.
The inability to stop yourself from engaging in behavior you know to be harmful can indicate you have an addiction. If you spend increasing amounts of time thinking about how and when you’ll be able to get your next “fix,” you may have developed an addiction to a substance or activity.
Another key sign you may have an addiction that requires help from professionals like the team at Luminous Counseling & Consulting is if you no longer find enjoyment from the hobbies and friends you used to enjoy, and find yourself needing to take more and more of a substance to enjoy the same high you used to get.
There are many causes of addiction, and they vary from person to person depending on both the substance or activity and the underlying mental and environmental problems contributing to the condition.
While your genetics and family medical history may make you more susceptible to developing an addiction, social, psychological, and environmental factors also play a large role.
At Luminous Counseling & Consulting, the team works primarily from a cognitive behavioral therapy approach, but also incorporates person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavioral therapy. 12 Step part of counseling is identifying and changing behaviors that can lead to addiction.
Your counselor first administers several tests and assessments to determine the best course of treatment for your addiction. Among these is the ASAM assessment for alcohol and drug addictions, which is required before placement into many rehab facilities.
In addition to drug and alcohol treatment, we have staff who are Department of Transportation Substance Abuse Professional (DOT-SAP) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Substance Abuse Expert (NRC-SAE). These certifications give us the ability to provide assessment, treatment recommendations, and follow-up for organizations that fall under the DOT or NRC.
If you’ve tried to tackle your addiction on your own without success, schedule an appointment with Luminous Counseling & Consulting online or by call (256) 686-9195 today.