A Sober Life

People can become addicted to a variety of drugs for a variety of reasons. Some of the most addictive drugs include, but are not limited to: cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines (uppers). Drug rehabs offer drug abusers an opportunity to rid their addiction. Drug rehabs are located in virtually every city and town in the United States as drug addiction is a problem that will not go away. The same holds true for drug addiction in Europe and other parts of the world as well.

Recovering from drug addiction is as much a psychological change as it is physical. It is a change of perspectives from despair, cynicism and self-loathing to one of optimism and self-respect. In fact, the very first battle of drug addiction recovery takes place in the mind.

Drug addiction is typically caused by deep seeded emotional problems that exist from past trauma. People use drugs to numb the pain. Feelings of guilt and shame are masked by drug and alcohol use. A vicious addiction cycle occurs because the behaviors and associations that go along with drug use only cause more guilt and shame.

Families who have mentally ill relatives whose problems are compounded by substance abuse face problems of enormous proportions. Mental health services are not well prepared to deal with patients having both afflictions.