Education On Addiction

When a person is struggling with addiction, they themselves and their loved ones are affected in negative ways. Shame and guilt accompany substance use, so does hiding, secrets and lies. Part of recovery is to learn about addiction, how it starts, its signs and symptoms. Various substance have varying signs. For examples drowsiness, disinterest and enlarged pupils would indicate opioid addiction, whereas agitation, sweating, restlessness would indicate usage of a stimulant. With a good education on what constitutes addiction, people become empowered and discover choices and solutions.

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Sometimes it helps to understand how the brain is wired, and how certain drugs (or behaviours) interfere with healthy brain functioning. There are a great variety educational tools on the internet that make substance use understood and it can move from a topic that is infused with shame to one with medical explanations. There is also a role for medication in the treatment of addiction and an addiction counsellor can provide education.

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But not only the family needs to be educated, the person struggling with a substance can benefit of learning more about addiction. For example, why is he/she so easily hooked on a substance, what are different approaches to recovery, what role does harm reduction play, what are some of the perceived  benefits of using and how can he/she get the things they yearn for into their lives without misusing substances? Addiction counselling and recovery coaching can educate on possible mental health issues, grief or loss, the need for healthy pleasures, friends or goals in their lives. There are many ways to recovery from substance misuse and learning about the various approaches, theories, and pathways to recovery is hope inspiring.

 

Learn more about the signs of addiction: