We all have addictive tendencies. We overdo work, consumption of processed foods, social media use, excercising — and the list goes on. These kinds of addictions are valued, rewarded and encouraged in our social milieu.
But turn to substance use. Suddenly we go nuts and start patholagising and illegalising this way of overdoing it.
So, public statement. I've overdone red wine, beer and marijuana. SUBSTANCES OMFG! One legal and the other illegal, there is actually no agreed and consistent level of "overdo-ment", yet I've been judged for drinking "too much", but not for being too anxious, borderline autistic or physically disabled.
However I purposely underdo work, consumption of processed foods, social media use, and exercising to keep a balanced lifestyle.
So why is substance addiction so much less accepted than other things we overdo? We refer to substance abuse — why not work abuse, food abuse, social media abuse, exercise abuse?
Reframing addiction
This reframed perspective offers an empathetic understanding of addiction, recognising it as a complex interplay of psychological, social, and emotional factors, and highlights the role of acceptance in addressing it. The understanding of addiction as both a method to "fill a gap" in one's life and as a way to "remove unhelpful events" can be approached from various non-judgmental academic perspectives.
Addiction as Filling a Gap
1. Addressing Unmet Psychological Needs: Research indicates that individuals may turn to addictive behaviors as a response to unfulfilled psychological needs. This idea, stemming from Maslow's hierarchy of needs, suggests that when emotional needs like belonging or self-esteem are not met, people might seek solace in addictive behaviors. Studies link this behavior with experiences such as childhood trauma or emotional neglect (Khantzian, E.J. (1997). The self-medication hypothesis of substance use disorders: A reconsideration and recent applications. Harvard Review of Psychiatry).
2. Social and Environmental Influences: Factors like social isolation and environmental stressors are also seen as contributors to addiction. Research shows a correlation between addiction and fewer social connections or living in stressful environments (Hawkley, L.C., & Cacioppo, J.T. (2010). Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine).
3. Existential Fulfillment: From an existential viewpoint, addiction might be an attempt to find meaning or purpose. Viktor Frankl’s concept of logotherapy, which emphasizes the human search for meaning, supports the idea that a lack of meaning can lead to addictive behaviors (Frankl, V.E. (1946). Man's Search for Meaning).
Addiction as Removing Unhelpful Events
1. Coping with Stress and Trauma: Individuals often engage in addictive behaviors as a way to cope with stress, trauma, or adverse life events. These behaviors can provide temporary relief or a distraction from negative experiences (Sinha, R. (2008). Chronic stress, drug use, and vulnerability to addiction. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences).
2. Negative Reinforcement: Behavioral psychology explains addiction as a way of avoiding negative states. The relief that addictive behaviors provide from discomfort or emotional pain reinforces their use, a concept known as negative reinforcement (Baker, T.B., et al. (2004). Addiction Motivation Reformulated: An Affective Processing Model of Negative Reinforcement. Psychological Review).
3. Cognitive Avoidance Strategy: Cognitive-behavioral theories suggest that substance use can be a strategy to avoid difficult thoughts or emotions, functioning as a maladaptive coping mechanism (Beck, A.T., et al. (1993). Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse).
Incorporating Radical Acceptance
Radical acceptance, a concept from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), involves fully accepting reality in the moment without judgment, which can be a powerful tool in addressing addiction. By accepting their situation and feelings without self-judgment, individuals can begin to address the underlying causes of their addictive behaviors more effectively. This approach is detailed in Marsha Linehan's work on DBT, where radical acceptance is a key component in managing distress and emotional pain (Linehan, M.M. (1993). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder).
This reframed perspective offers an empathetic understanding of addiction, recognizing it as a complex interplay of psychological, social, and emotional factors, and highlights the role of acceptance in addressing it.
References:
- Khantzian, E.J. (1997). *The self-medication hypothesis of substance use disorders: A reconsideration and recent applications.* Harvard Review of Psychiatry.
- Hawkley, L.C., & Cacioppo, J.T. (2010). *Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms.* Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
- Frankl, V.E. (1946). *Man's Search for Meaning.*
- Sinha, R. (2008). *Chronic stress, drug use, and vulnerability to addiction.* Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
- Baker, T.B., et al. (2004). *Addiction Motivation Reformulated: An Affective Processing Model of Negative Reinforcement.* Psychological Review.
- Beck, A.T., et al. (1993). *Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse.*
- Linehan, M.M. (1993). *Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder.*