Today I received an email from a colleague referring me to an article posted in the LA Times. She wrote: “Drug deaths due to prescrip drugs now outnumbers deaths from car accidents nationwide. The stats in this brief article are very alarming.” Along with this, I recently read an article in The Signal addressing Heroin in the Santa Clarita Valley. The article states that… “more than 400 residents have overdosed; a fourth of those were under the age of 24, according to law enforcement.” With this in mind I wanted to share some thoughts with intent to intelligently address this growing and very serious concern.
In many ways, we live in a fear based culture. Common ways we cope with fear are to deny, ignore, or assume the worst will never happen. Fear has the potential to overwhelm us– often to the point of not even realizing we are thinking and functioning in fear. This state of mind often causes us to maintain such a state of inaction that our ability to create change seems to vanish. We simply hope our fears will “just go away.” And so begins a very destructive cyclical thought pattern.
Much the same can be said about drugs in our society, for example: alcohol, meth-amphetamines, marijuana, heroin, and oxycontin. If we don’t have an intelligent course of action we simply ignore it or hope it will just go away. This fear-based mentality does not allow us to address and/or understand the “white elephant in the room.”
In my work as a licensed psychologist at a residential treatment center for addictions and substance abuse, I have seen hundreds of clients all faced with similar predicaments. I have heard countless times: “I know it’s not right… I know it’s bad… I know I have to do something about it… I just wish it would somehow just go away.”
Importantly, what we have learned, and what I have seen first hand, is this: 1) very infrequently will abuse and/or a dependence “just go away” by itself and 2) ignoring or avoiding a problem due to fear/ignorance will only exacerbate the problem or situation. This often leaves parents, partners, or friends of those abusing alcohol and/or recreational and prescription drugs in a very precarious situation. Namely, wanting to do something but not sure what to do.
There is every right to be fearful– effects can be severe and devastating. However, if we are ruled by fear we give away our ability to reason (our sense of power) and are left feeling dependent, often with minimal hope. Along with this, those who seek support and are not given concrete and clear information are often, at the end of the day, in the same place they started- beset with fear, hopelessness, and confusion. There is a way out of this dilemma.
First, it is important to consider underlying factors as possible causes that precede substance abuse and dependence. More specifically, self-medicating is a common means to cope with emotional duress. In a mild context, how often have we heard, “I could sure use a drink” or, “I could sure use a cigarette.” Objectively we know these are not healthy ways to cope but still, in a mild context, they “can’t really hurt us.” So we rationalize. For consideration (aside from the physical addiction), psychologically, the amount of drugs or alcohol we consume might reflect the degree of (often non-conscious) internal emotional conflict we endure. In other words, if recreational and/or prescribed drugs and/or alcohol numbs emotions, or turns off the self judgment center, we know this will lessen stress, internal conflict, or critical self judgment. This results in a temporary sense of internal calm. The problem is that when the temporary relief subsides, the same problems still exist. Often anxiety or depression can increase because the problems are further from being solved.
What to do about it?
In clinical work with my clients our primary goal is to understand the problem and then find a solution. This requires taking into account two very important aspects: the psychology and the biology. We must first establish that there is a biological consequence to substance and/or alcohol abuse. Managing biological symptoms generally requires: 1) detoxing (getting the substance(s) out of the body) 2) education: understanding the impact of how substance effects the brain and the body and 3) educational and emotional support to stop the abuse or dependence. This means battling a social and/or physical habit and temporary feelings of emotional peace of mind or solace. At the same time, the psychological component to addictions must be addressed. More specifically, understanding 1) the underlying causes or motivations and 2) why it can feel so difficult to stop.
Again, various forms of substance abuse serve as unhealthy ways to take care of ourselves. While possible motivations to engage in substance abuse might be to rid or lessen stress, problems in relationships, self image, along with other psychological or emotional conflicts– at the same time, we want to acknowledge that for many these actions seem(ed) like the best solution at the time based upon the information at hand.
Phrased differently, if we knew of a better way to lessen psychological stress or internal conflict, we would have chosen a healthier alternative. In choosing a healthier alternative to maintain peace of heart, the non-healthy behaviors make less and less sense. In this way we work to create a strength-based approach to decreasing dependence. Three common problems, or “resistances” are: 1) some are not conscious of the internal psychological stress or conflict 2) some are “sort of” aware but don’t know what to do about it and lastly, 3) some are so embedded in grief, stress, or conflict, the whole process is simply too overwhelming to look at.
It is said, the amount of courage we have, reflects the amount of fear we face… Understanding and resolution takes time and hard work. It requires support and unyielding commitment and courage from those seeking treatment and from family and loved ones. Based upon my experience and the results I have witnessed, positive and healthy change is possible. It’s not easy but it is possible.
In review, we all have stress, depression, anxiety, and emotional conflict. These feelings are as much a part of life as happiness, love, laughter, and joy. The problem is not about having these feelings, it’s what we do about it when we have them! There are healthy and not healthy ways of coping. Dependence simply numbs emotions and our ability to navigate our feelings. If we can establish first, we are all trying our best to take care of ourselves. Second, come to terms with healthier ways of taking care of ourselves (by facing and resolving emotions and stressful situations rather then numbing and blocking out emotions and life circumstances) then the possibility exists to find peace of heart.
Stephen J. Smith has a doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis in multi-cultural community/clinical from the California School of Professional Psychology. He also has Master degrees in counseling and psychology from Harvard University. Currently, he is a primary therapist at Passages, a residential treatment center for substance abuse/addictions, and maintains a private practice in Santa Clarita.
For appointement or consultation call 818-391-9140.