What is the role of a sober coach in addiction? The misunderstood illness of addiction is a worldwide problem, with 29.5 million people addicted to drugs or alcohol in 2017. It is according to the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime study.
In addition, many other misconceptions have developed around this issue. It can be associated with discrimination by society, which creates even more problems for those dealing with or who have dealt with addiction firsthand.
There are many common misconceptions about addiction. The media often depicts addicts in a negative manner, suggesting they are violent and dangerous people who can barely take care of themselves.
And the truth is that most of them have a regular life with an unseen internal struggle going on inside themselves, while some may not even know how much their lives depend upon drugs or alcohol until it's too late for recovery.
In this article, we will clear up some misconceptions about addiction and help you find the best resolution to this. And learn where to find an effective sober coach in Florida to help you live a sober life.
Get To Know Addiction
People with addiction have a chronic, relapsing disorder that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.
It can be considered a brain illness because it involves functional changes to circuits involved in reward, stress relief, and self-control regulation lasting long after someone has stopped taking drugs entirely.
Although addiction and heart disease have many similarities, they also vary in some ways. Another way the two diseases differ is how common it is to be preventable or treatable. Addiction is more challenging than a straightforward illness.
Having Career and Family Prevent a Person From Addiction
There's a common misconception that all addicted individuals are homeless or struggling to stay off the streets. But many people who have substance abuse problems hold down jobs and maintain family commitments.
They mask their addiction well enough from friends/family members not to alarm them, yet still indulge in behaviors such as gambling addiction spending excessive time watching TV - which can quickly become an expense.
Functional alcoholics are a rare breed, but they still exist. The 2007 study by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that 19.5 percent of all alcoholic people fit this category- which means there is probably at least one functional drinker in your life right now.
The 2010 National Drug Threat Assessment found that 8% of full-time workers and 10.2 percent of part-timers use illicit drugs, which is an alarming number considering how many people are out there working hard every day just to keep the lights on at home.
19% of workers in certain industries are using drugs illegally on the job, according to SAMHSA.
The person may seem like they live an ordinary life, but if you take the time to get to know them better, signs of drug or alcohol abuse become obvious. Some telltale behaviors include:
Behavioral Changes
People with a history of substance abuse may become irritated or even angry when asked to discuss their drinking habits.
Some people believe that heavy drinking or substance misuse is necessary to keep up with the demands of their job and networking.
Spending more time with other individuals who indulge in substances or drink alcohol excessively leads to a greater risk of developing a harmful addiction.
List of Common Misconceptions About Addiction
Addiction is a Moral Isue and a Preference
It is a common misconception about addiction. It is not something you can choose like cancer, and initially, the person will voluntarily put drugs in their system.
But what happens after that is not always the right chemical reactions with brain adaptation happening over time where they develop physiological needs for these substances or behaviors.
An addict is not a bad person with terrible morals. They are suffering from the consequences of changes in their brain.
Some people have more predisposed to addiction based on biological and environmental factors, which can lead some individuals down an unfortunate path towards drugs or alcohol abuse.
But this doesn’t make these addicts any less worthy than others who find themselves living life without any disabilities.
You Can Overcome Addiction With Willpower
The truth is addiction has little to do with willpower. It's a brain disease, which changes the way people think and act because of their lack of control over certain aspects of life. They seek an escape from reality by using these substances every day despite any harmful consequences.
Drugs And Alcohol Are The Only Ones Addicting
The most common forms of addiction are drug and alcohol abuse, but it's easy to become dependent on other things too.
Process addictions occur when people have an unhealthy obsession with compulsive behaviors such as shopping or gaming that interfere significantly in their life, negatively impacting social functioning because they are so distracted by these activities all hours long.
The life of a person can be changed instantly by their addiction. It may begin with the behavior being acceptable or socially accepted, but it quickly takes over and shapes every aspect of who they are, even if people don't realize what's happening at first.
Take gambling, for example; there are many folks doing nothing more than playing games on tables until one day something clicks into place. Making them unable to stop themselves from continuing forward towards ruinous debt levels faster than anyone else could have ever anticipated.
Addicted For Life
There is hope for those who suffer from addiction. Treatment can help, and many addicts recover after seeking treatment or getting clean on their terms.
Relapse is not inevitable in this case because you are taking responsibility into your own hands rather than leaving things up to chance like some people think it takes.
It is Challenging To Identify An Addict
It is hard to believe that anyone can be an addict. And yet, the truth of addiction seems undeniable in our society today- with its negative stereotypes against those who become homeless or poor because they are drug addicts.
It’s no wonder many people think this way (and feel shame when confronted by their prejudice). However, all races/classes, etc., should know that anyone could develop a problem with drugs.
The Different Types of Addiction
There are many different approaches to addiction, but no single solution fits all. The top ten addictions in modern society vary from country to country and even within a single culture. Depending on what is considered appropriate or not by that particular community.
Here is the list of addiction in society:
Coffee addiction
Drinking too much caffeine can lead to a whole host of uncomfortable side effects. You may become restless, anxious, or irritable if you overdo it with your coffee intake.
The safe zone is 5 cups per day (600 mg), and any more than this could cause problems for some people in very sensitive brackets - so keep yourself within those limits.
Tobacco and Nicotine
Though we are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers associated with tobacco, it remains a leading contributor to causing health damage worldwide.
An incredible 1.3 billion deaths per year can be attributed because of their use and consumption habits.
The harm cigarettes cause is clear, but the risk doesn't stop there. The World Health Organization reported that smoking causes 90% of lung cancers in men and 70 percent of women's cases while contributing to almost 80% of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Like all addictive substances, nicotine is a dangerous chemical in tobacco that causes people to continue smoking. The tar and toxic gases from burning leaves cause most of these damages.
Alcohol
Even though alcohol was invented in modern times, it would still be illegal today. It is as addictive and deadly to our society now as any other drug that has been made illegal since then, including cigarettes or opioids.
The scientific facts show how drinking can lead you to 60 different types of disease such as cancer - which is why everyone should stay away from heavy use.
Sex
Internet sex addiction is a growing problem that has been linked to an increase in the popularity of new media. The abuse enabling associated with other substances or practices, such as alcohol.
It can lead people into compulsive behavior where they rely on escapism through erotic encounters, which become unhealthy instead of giving oneself fully emotionally engaged within relationships.
As it stands today, estimated rates are showing how many men (8%)and women(3%) are reported addicted across all demographics, including age groups from early adulthood until old age.
Illegal and Prescription Drugs
When people are in pain, they need to take medicine. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a free lunch, and even when doctors prescribe appropriate drugs in good faith, their patients often do not know how much is too little or when it is time for them to stop taking those prescriptions.
It is because of an addiction that can develop with some powerful medications like Oxycontin.
Gambling
Gambling is a costly yet popular pastime for many people. 1% to 2 percent of adults will develop problems with gambling.
And it continues as an issue among this population group even if they are aware that there might be consequences from excessive play such as financial strain or emotional distress.
Internet and Modern Technology
People who spend all their time on the internet may not be getting enough real-life interaction. They could show symptoms such as withdrawal, discomfort, or depression if they are cut off from using technology for an extended period, and this is something to consider before becoming so wrapped up in cyberspace that you forget about your physical surroundings altogether.
Video Games
The psychological component of addiction is just as important, if not more so than the physical one. When gamers are addicted to their video games and virtual worlds, it creates an escape from reality.
It can lead them into mental realms where they feel like anything could happen because there are no consequences for their actions in these imaginary landscapes.
Food
Food can be an escape from reality for many people, offering comfort and satisfaction when necessary.
It might seem harmless enough in small doses or on occasion with healthy options available at all times of the day.
Some individuals become dependent upon food, which leads to unhealthy behaviors. Just as addicts would do during drug rehab sessions, some people indulge in a binge-and-purge cycle after weigh ins.
Work
The line between being productive and overworking is thin. The consequences of not taking time for yourself can lead you down a path that could be serious, such as mental health conditions or even affecting your physical well-being.
Drum Up Your Life
When addicted people enter treatment, they often face serious consequences that can disrupt their health and how they function in various aspects of life.
Healing the body is just as crucial to recovery from addiction. The physical, emotional, and mental aspects need attention for someone who has been addicted or abused substances before to make a rebuilding process possible.
Successful rehabilitation requires more than stopping drug use. It takes an entire lifestyle change with an emphasis on healing all areas affected by substance abuse/addiction.
One should also take care of their spiritual well-being because studies show people who had strong faith did better after rehab.
A sober coach can help you in your journey towards sobriety and start a clean slate in life. Through sober coaching, you will receive the necessary support and person that helps you avoid any temptation as you work on a better version of yourself.
Find the best sober coaches, companions, and sober transportation in Florida. Contact Elysian Sober Services today. Remember, you are your own medicine.
