Addiction is all around us. People become addicted to more than just physical things such as drugs or alcohol. It’s possible to be addicted to virtually anything, including abstract things like gambling or pessimism – in other words, addiction may refer to a substance dependence (e.g. alcoholism) or behavioral addiction (e.g. gambling addiction).
In the past, addiction used to refer just to psychoactive substances that cross the blood-brain barrier, temporarily altering the chemical balance of the brain; this would include alcohol, and most prescription drugs.
According to Medical News Today, a considerable number of psychologists and other health care professionals now insist that psychological dependency (dependency on gambling, sex, internet, work, exercise, etc.) should also be counted as addictions. They can also lead to feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, despair, failure, rejection, anxiety, and humiliation.
This is why at Warriors Heart we take a holistic approach to healing addiction. In other words, we address the physical addiction and the behavioral addictions together. We treat the whole person.
We know that warriors (protectors), often take on the pain of others. They feel responsible for the safety and wellbeing of others before themselves.
With this weight of responsibility, when things go south, the warrior can be crushed by guilt, shame, and sense of letting others down.
It’s very easy for warriors to self-medicate to numb the pain. The problem is that self-medication is only temporary and the internal pain is stronger than the medication. The person is often left with the internal pain AND the new guilt of chemical dependency, along with the self defeating behaviors that go with the addiction. This is the downward spiral that is almost impossible to get out of without help.
When a person is addicted to something, they cannot control how and when they use. It has taken over the will of the warrior.
Fellow warriors in recovery will tell you that the first step is to admit you have a problem and the second step is to seek help.
When we admit to ourselves and others that life has become unmanageable, the healing process can begin.
If you or a loved ones is struggling, seek help. You don’t have to do it alone.
24/7 Availability. Call Now!