Addiction is a progressive and degenerative disease. It becomes worst over time. I have observed this progression in individuals who have remained in active addiction for many years, and I have come into contact with, at different times. They often express that their circumstances have become worse. To make an addict in denial aware of this is challenging, as they believe that they will never progress to that stage.
I believe that the progressive nature of addiction results in the de-evolution of individuals. As the addiction becomes more severe, they move from higher states of consciousness to more primitive states. These states have a different set of morals, values and norms. This often puts them into conflict with their families, loved ones and even society, who are operating at a different state.
The challenge to help addicts who have de-evolved is to meet them at their current state of being. When a recovering addict in early recovery, is reunited with their family system, the adjustment and reintegration can be difficult and stressful. It sometimes is too overwhelming and can lead to a feeling of being alien to their family, as they are not at the same state of the family. Thus the family system cannot contain them enough to maintain their recovery process. These individuals need extra support or to be in a facility helping them reintegrate into their family and society. There could be an unrealistic expectation put on the addict to adjust too quickly and when this does not materialise it often leads to disappointment, resentment and relapse. Addicts can have unrealistic expectations of their family and themselves with regards to the rate of their evolution which can result in disappointment and relapse too. Most people still underestimate the damage the disease of addiction causes and what it takes to recover from it. Many still believe that putting the drug of choice down is the solution. This is not the case, unfortunately. People who suffer from this illness need intense treatment. The treatment environment is conducive to support the process of the evolution of the addict. The rules and expectations of treatment meet the addict at their state and help them move to higher states of consciences. However, it is the rules and expectation of a treatment centre which is often the main deterrent for the addict and their families to consider inpatient treatment as an option. This reflects the denial of the person making such a choice. The denial of how severe the addiction is and what the person needs to recover. I have also been privileged to witness how addicts in recovery evolve as they adopt a new perspective of life with a new moral code guiding them. This is possible with the appropriate support.
I haven’t progressed to that point Y.E.T.
Y.E.T is the acronym for You Eligible Too.
SHARING IS CARING
