Abuse and addiction

Get rid of your addiction, whether it's alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, shopping or anything else! Substance use, abuse and dependence is a multifactorial phenomenon, meaning that it is a combination of heredity and environment that can lead a person into it. 

An individual with a vulnerability to addiction has an increased risk of falling into it if they are in a social environment where other people have an addiction. Psychological factors, such as receiving a short-term reward in the form of improved self-esteem or reduced stress, can also contribute to the continuation of addictive behavior. 

Because it is the short-term reward that most drives our behaviors, the long-term negative consequences of the behaviors are quickly forgotten, and the brain can trick you into wanting to continue the destructive addictive behavior because the brain wants the short-term gains.

Watch the TV4 Nyhetsmorgon segment where Sveapsykologernas psychologist David Waskuri explains how to treat addiction and risk use: https://www.tv4.se/klipp/va/13740537/sa-vet-du-om-du-ar-alkoholberoende

Abuse behaviors and consequences

Many people use drugs or engage in certain behaviors in a way that repeatedly gets them into trouble. This can be a sign that you have an addiction. It can be seen, for example, in failing to fulfill duties at work, school or home, putting oneself in situations where there is an increased risk of harming oneself or someone else, or getting into trouble with the law. 

Often, addiction continues despite recurring problems. For many, the drug or behavior provides temporary relief from mental or physical discomfort and they see no alternative ways to feel better. Addiction mainly refers to problems related to the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs or medicines. In terms of behaviors, sex, gambling, food and shopping addictions have similarities to drug addictions and can be understood in similar ways.

Treatment methods and their effectiveness

If you have an addiction, you often feel cravings and have difficulty controlling your intake or behavior. Being without the drug or behavior can give rise to psychological symptoms such as anxiety, worry, depression, difficulty sleeping, restlessness or difficulty concentrating. 

When the drug is taken again or the behavior is continued, the symptoms temporarily disappear, but they come back. More and more time is spent on the drug or behavior and problems worsen. Cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing (MI) have been shown in research reviews to be the most successful treatments for alcohol abuse, the most common form of addiction.

Treatments are based on collaboration between therapist and client, avoiding confrontation and offering the client help to analyze their behavioral patterns by seeing the connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. In this way, the client can get a picture of their addiction and thereby find alternative behaviors and approaches to emotions that make it easier to break their risk behaviors and get out of their addiction.

Motivational interviewing

Motivational interviewing is, among other things, about not being too confrontational with the person who has an addiction because confrontation can lead to shame, which can increase addictive behavior. In motivational interviewing, the idea is that by asking open-ended questions about the long-term consequences of the behavior and "rolling with resistance", the person can be motivated to change. 

CBT, Cognitive behavioral therapy

CBT can work with the addiction itself by examining internal and external triggers, working with relapse prevention and being able to deal with cravings. When a person with an addiction is exposed to triggers, cravings can become strong and the person may act impulsively because they want the short-term reward. By learning to recognize triggers and what thoughts, feelings and body sensations appear, the person can let the craving pass without acting on it. 

Many have a comorbidity

In many cases, the person may have a comorbidity, which means co-morbidity. This means that the person has addiction plus anxiety, depression and stress, for example. In these cases, the co-morbidity may need to be addressed in parallel or afterwards, depending on which is the primary problem and which is the secondary one.

Treatment plan and monitoring of addiction

When starting treatment to deal with substance abuse or addiction, it is important to design an individual treatment plan together with the therapist. The treatment plan should include clear goals and a strategy to achieve these goals. This may include breaking old patterns of behavior, developing new skills to cope with stress and emotional challenges, and building a supportive social environment. The therapist acts as a guide and support person throughout the treatment process.

Monitoring is a key part of treatment. It means regularly evaluating progress and possibly adjusting the treatment plan if necessary. By monitoring treatment, both the therapist and the client can gain a better understanding of which methods and strategies work best for the individual. It can also help to understand what factors increase the risk of relapse and how these can be avoided or managed.

Family and social support

To increase the chances of successful treatment and long-term recovery, it is important to involve the person's family and social network in the treatment process. Family members and friends can offer support and encouragement and help create an environment that promotes healthy behaviors and changes. Family therapy and support groups can be helpful in strengthening these relationships and provide additional resources for dealing with substance abuse and addiction.

Time for recovery and relapse prevention

Recovery from addiction or dependence is a long-term process and it is important to give yourself time to heal and adapt to new, healthier behaviors and lifestyles. Being aware of risk factors and developing strategies to deal with triggers can help prevent relapse and maintain long-term recovery. Relapse prevention often includes working on strengthening self-esteem, improving communication skills, learning to cope with stress and negative emotions, and building a supportive social network.

Talk about your addiction with a psychologist or therapist

Seeking professional help and support is an important part of dealing with addiction. Working with a psychologist or therapist from Sveapsychologerna who specializes in addiction and cognitive behavioural therapy can provide the tools and strategies needed to overcome the challenges of addiction and create a healthier and more balanced future.