In most cases, depression actually manifests itself after the person becomes addicted, not before.
Canadian, Oklahoma (PRWEB) October 10, 2014
Authored by Gary W. Smith, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, an effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation center delivering the drug-free Narconon program; The Life Cycle and Mechanics of Addiction presents us with a new and insightful look into what really causes addiction—and what we can actually do to resolve it.
Smith is a long-time and experienced professional in the field of chemical dependency and drug rehabilitation, and he shares the knowledge garnered from decades of helping addicts achieve sobriety, and successfully reclaim their lives from addiction.
While depression is frequently observed in those trapped in substance abuse, Smith details the link depression has to addiction, and how we can go about resolving it as a vital part of addiction recovery.
Depression: The Second Barrier to Successful Recovery
The Life Cycle and Mechanics of Addiction clearly identifies the Three Barriers to Recovery which an addict must overcome to achieve and maintain sobriety.
The First Barrier to Recovery is drug cravings; the strong and uncontrollable urges to use alcohol or drugs that drive the addict to use addictive substances again. It is vital information for anyone seeking to help themselves or others successfully overcome addiction, and it is important to acquire the booklet and read the data in-full.
The Second Barrier to Successful Recovery is Depression. Smith identifies it as a significant and constant source of discomfort which prompts the continued use of drugs, and acts to keep the addict harnessed in his or her addiction.
Smith notes that some traditional medical and psychiatric-based treatment programs diagnose and treat depression in the addict; claiming it to be the fundamental cause of the person’s problem with drugs or alcohol. Psychotropic (affecting the mood or mind, or other mental processes) medications are ordinarily prescribed for the depression, simply masking the symptoms and not bringing about a cure.
Factually, the presence of mind-altering drugs coupled with worsening depression serve to make recovery more difficult, if not impossible.
Smith presents us with a new look at the actual cause-and-effect of depression and addiction, noting that in most cases, depression actually manifests after the individual becomes addicted—not before.
Thus, the cause of the depression is linked to the damage done to the person by the drugs themselves.
Why Depression Occurs in the Addict
While it is important for anyone wanting to understand and effectively help themselves or another suffering from the depression which is linked to addiction, a brief synopsis is included here with the proviso that it is important to read The Life Cycle and Mechanics of Addiction to gain a comprehensive understanding.
Smith details that when an individual uses drugs on a regular basis, the user’s body becomes depleted of key nutrients and amino acids—the building blocks for the body’s natural chemicals. The resultant nutritional deficiencies prevent the person’s body from getting the needed nutritional energy to produce and release the body’s natural chemicals.
Simply put, the drugs take over the functions of the body’s own natural chemicals. The body and brain are fooled into thinking the drug or the alcohol is the natural chemical it needs.
When alcohol or drugs are present in the addict’s system, it is perceived that the body chemistry is functioning—and all is well. When the alcohol or drugs leave the addict’s system, the body and brain then perceive a shortage of natural body chemicals. This perceived shortage then adds to the lack of enjoyment and lethargy experienced by the addict when not under the influence of drugs.
The alcohol or drug gets misidentified as an aid to the production and release of natural body chemicals when in actual fact it is suppressing the body’s natural ability to manufacture them.
Add the fact that the addict’s lifestyle itself creates more depression by nature of its destructive effects, including broken relationships and problems with finances or the law and ultimately losing everything he or she cares about. Depression is an appropriate emotional response considering the misery the person is faced with as a result of their addiction and its lifestyle.
The Life Cycle and Mechanics of Addiction by Gary W. Smith is a must read for anyone who wants to understand addiction and its resolution.
For a copy of the booklet, please visit http://www.stopaddiction.com.