What Nobody Tells You About Addiction Part 2

What Nobody Tells You About Addiction - Part 2.

Remember last week I talked about how addiction was more than a lack of inner strength or an "easy" way out. We talked about how those complex emotions are what drives our behaviour, and if we don't know how to manage those emotions in a healthy manner our brain will cause us to engage in an "instantly gratifying" behaviour. This behaviour causes our brain to to disperse dopamine at higher levels, making us feel better. After persistent engagement in the maladaptive behaviour, our brain codes it as a survival mechanism, fueling the worsening dependance on the substance or behaviour.  

Well this week, I'm talking about the variables behind the behaviour that predispose some of us to experiencing an addiction. 

I truly believe that addiction needs to be perceived through a bio-psycho-social-spiritual lense. This is because humans are such complex beings. We are affected by so many different variables on a day to day basis. 

What does BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL-SPRITUAL mean? 

Well, basically it means that we look at the biological factors, the psychological factors, the social or environmental factors and the spiritual factors in one's life to identify where the "missing puzzle piece is".  As discussed in the last blog, addiction is driven by not being able to manage an emotion/distress. Emotions are largely driven by needs  being met, or unmet in our lives. For instance, have you ever felt hungry, but were without the ability to eat something in that moment to curb the hunger? I think we can all understand the term "HANGRY" in some way or another. This is an emotional reaction to not being able to meet a need of yours. The Hanger doesn't resolve until you've eaten. This is similar to those who are experiencing an addiction. Their brain is telling them they need to engage in the behavior to manage the discomfort or unmet need. 

Now the BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL-SPRITUAL is a framework that looks at your biological predisposition to addiction. For example, do you have any family members that experience addiction as this can create a genetic vulnerability to experiencing an addiction. Do you have any physical health concerns that keep you from leading a purposeful life? 

Psychologically is there anything inhibiting your day to day functioning, or ability to fulfil your intrapersonal purpose? What is your emotional health and mental health like? What is your belief system? How is your self-esteem? These are all factors that can play into the cultivation of an addiction.

Socially, how do you feel about yourself? Who are the people you hold relationships with? What is your family home situation like? What is your parental relationship/dynamic like? And as much as I hate to say it, Socio-economic class also plays a factor in being able to adequately source supports and resources for housing stability, healthcare, mental health care (without 24 months waits). These are variables contributing to addiction.

Spiritually, what do you find brings you fulfillment, purpose, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment/grounding? This would be what fulfills your needs spiritually, which might sound silly but it's really not. We has humans need to fill our lives with people, places and things that provide us with purpose and fulfillment. This could be attending a church, it could be playing a sport, it could be anything that fulfills, provides purpose and creates a sense of grounding. We need to have something that helps make life worth living. It looks different for each person, but that purpose or passion is crucial to one's well-being. 

Overall, there are so many variables and factors that go into identifying,  and understanding addiction, it also looks different for each person who experiences it. Addiction is complex, but your recovery doesn't have to be.  You deserve to create a life worth living without the limitations of unmanaged mental health and addiction concerns.