What is Compulsive Addiction?

Do you struggle to understand your loved one’s addiction problems? You are not alone. But your loved one who suffers compulsive addiction has no idea why their behaviors bother you.

Addiction is not enjoyable for anyone. In fact, addiction sucks the enjoyment right out of your life. It also takes pleasure away from the person abusing substances in compulsive addiction.

So why do they keep returning to their substances, despite the daily struggle they cause? This confusing journey of ongoing substance abuse is a compulsive addiction. Despite risks, people in this cycle keep fueling it through continued drug abuse.

Many theories of compulsive addiction exist. These theories explain why people cannot end their substance abuse, despite wanting sobriety. The compulsion drives them back to drugs or alcohol time and again, even when they claim they want help. For many, the same compulsion takes them into relapse after rehab.

A compulsion drives someone to do something. They do not have “free will” in what they do. They do it because they must. The person in the compulsion cannot explain their need. They only know it exists.

Two Theories of Addiction

Two theories of addiction attempt to explain compulsion to use drugs or alcohol. The first theory is the disease model of addiction. The second is the choice theory of addiction.

The disease model of addiction suggests the compulsion starts because of a brain disease, that of addiction. It compares addiction to diabetes, heart disease, asthma and other chronic, relapsing conditions. Just as someone never gains a cure for asthma, you never achieve a cure for your addiction.

The disease model also presents addiction as coming from genetics, biology, family history, environment or other factors. There is no cure, so you can only manage your disease and its symptoms. You must prevent relapse using learned skills, just as asthmatics and diabetics control their condition through learning.

The choice theory centers on addiction being a chosen, compulsive behavior. Instead of being a disease, this theory blames the individual for their problems. Although this blame is very negative, the solution for addiction in this theory is also learning. People choosing the choice theory of addiction believe you must learn abstinence and coping skills to avoid relapse.

Today’s addiction professionals see many flaws in the choice theory. Most follow the disease model of addiction. This choice is based on actual brain and body changes occurring from addiction. With those biological changes and the family genetic connections in addiction, the choice theory falls by the wayside.

Ending Your Compulsive Addiction in Jacksonville, Florida

Either theory of addiction points to learning as treatment. So where do you learn how about staying sober? That learning takes place in licensed and accredited rehab programs, those offering the treatments and therapies you need for secure, lasting recovery.

Therapies needed for robust recovery include:

• Individual, group and family therapy
• CBT, DBT, and EMDR
• PTSD and trauma therapy
• 12-step approach or non-12 step approach to sobriety
• Holistic healing methods
• Anger management
• Dual diagnosis treatment

At Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, you or your loved one end the painful addiction. Through quality detox and rehab treatment, you gain the learned skills you need to cope with life’s problems. This means you prevent relapse and enjoy the potential for lifelong sobriety.

You can live what you learn about compulsive addiction with Beaches Recovery’s help. Call Beaches Recovery now at 866.605.0532 for more information on beating your addiction and staying sober.