Addiction or dependence on a particular substance is one of the most complex areas of mental health. It can often be difficult to treat, and there is a lot of theories surrounding the causes of addiction and the best approaches to treatment. People who find themselves addicted to drugs or alcohol often find the services of a mental health professional to be helpful.
Drug and alcohol abuse or misuse—excessive or inappropriate use of a substance—can be difficult to treat as people’s opinions, values, and beliefs vary considerably on this topic. For some, any use of an illegal drug constitutes abuse. For others, it is indicated by recurring, negative consequences, such as:
- Failure to meet obligations.
- Physical injury or illness.
- Alcohol- or drug-related legal problems.
- Relationship problems with intimate friends and family.
- Impulsive behavior.
- Loss of interest in activities.
- Short-term memory loss or blackouts.
Therapists specializing in addiction recovery can often help people set achievable and empowering short-term goals as they work to overcome their addiction. Once sobriety is achieved, adaptive skills can be developed to regain physical and emotional health. With therapy, a person who is dependent on drugs or alcohol is often more likely to overcome an addiction, and several types of therapy are helpful in this process. Sometimes, therapy can provide a supplemental form of support for someone who is attending a self-help group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
