Does Substance Use Have A Purpose? How To Make Sense Of Your Addiction

 / 

, , ,

Making sense of addiction is probably one of the most helpful ways to beat substance use and abuse. But how can you achieve that goal? How to make sense of your addiction?

Key Points

  • Substance use is a behavior that serves a purpose, or at least initially did.
  • Substance use only becomes a problem when its harm increases and its benefits are lowered.
  • Making sense of oneโ€™s relationship with a substance is the first step to cultivating a different relationship with it.

Many people who come to me wanting to change their substance use behaviors carry a lot of shame and self-blame. They are told that there is something inherently wrong with them for developing a substance use problem.

If you have been haunted by the question, โ€œWhat is wrong with me?โ€ I feel your pain deeply. But what if I told you there is nothing wrong with you, and your desire for alcohol, cocaine, or whatever your substance of choice makes perfect sense?

Related: 4 Harmful Impacts Of Substance Abuse On Adolescent Mental Health

Substance Use Serves a Purpose

There are a few things that people often get wrong about addiction. People tend to believe that substance misuse is either a lack of self-control or an inherited disease. Itโ€™s neither. Substance use is a behavior that serves a purpose.

In fact, it often serves a purpose so well that at first, it makes other options seem inferior in comparison.

To help you get a sense of what I mean, Iโ€™d like to tell you about a girl who licks her paper cut. She was 4 when she got her first paper cut, and her grandma showed her how to lick the cut to lessen the pain.

โ€œYour saliva will take the hurt away,โ€ Grandma said. It worked, and to this day, in her 30s, she still puts her finger in her mouth every time she gets a paper cut.

The same girl, at 15, had her heart broken by a boy for the first time. That night, her best friend handed her a pack of beer and told her, โ€œDrink this, and you will feel better.โ€

It worked, and that became the start of her decade-long love affair with alcohol. Alcohol had become her loyal lover, dissolving any unwanted feelings within minutes.

That girl is me, and it was only after I got into the study of human behavior did I see the similarity between licking my paper cut and drinking alcohol.

The two behaviors are both attempts to avoid pain, and the only difference is that licking my finger produced no long-term consequences over time, whereas drinking alcohol did.

How to make sense of your addiction

Substance Use Started as a Logical Choice

Substance use only becomes a problem when its harm increases and its benefits are lowered. As the cost-benefit scale tilts more toward the cost, the behavior draws more and more attention.

When people around you start to refer to your substance use as a โ€œproblem,โ€ they see only the second half of the storyโ€”where you make โ€œillogicalโ€ choices to let substance rule your life despite all the harm it caused.

They donโ€™t see that, at first, the substance use likely had provided substantial benefits with minimal negative consequences.

In the case of my 15-year-old self, I traded away the unbearable heartbreak for a minor headache the following dayโ€”it was a good deal. When the initial experience is rewarding, itโ€™s natural to repeat the behavior.

Related: 20 Things People Realize When They Quit Drinking Alcohol

Sober Curiosity: Uncover Your Story

If you are curious about changing your relationship with alcohol, I created this free 30-Day toolkit to help you cut down on drinking.

The answer to how our love affair started lies in our earliest experiences with what has become our substance of choice. The crucial question is what you liked about it the first time.

In other words, what were the initial benefits of using the substance? It may be challenging to identify all the initial benefits with an untrained eye at first, but the benefits were there. Otherwise, you would not have been drawn back to it.

If you are curious about changing your relationship with alcohol, I created thisย free 30-Day toolkitย to help you cut down on drinking.โ€(Link to the toolkit:ย https://youcanhealwellness.com/toolkit/)&nbsp

References:

Horvath, A. T. (2004). Sex, drugs, gambling, and chocolate: A workbook for overcoming addictions. Impact.

Written By Jeanette Hu AMFT
Originally Appeared On Psychology Today
substance use

— Share —

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

test post

test post vhghg

Up Next

Technology Addiction Art: 25 Satirical Illustrations Depicting The Grim Reality

There have been various artists who have depicted how necessity turns into obsession. So, here are 25 satirical technology addiction art illustrations that present the sad reality!

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Living in a digital world; technology has brought great convenience, but these gadgets take an enormous toll on mental health that is

Up Next

4 Reasons Why A Drinking Log Can Be A Powerful Tool To Cut Down Your Drinking

If youโ€™re struggling with cutting down on alcohol, then maintaining a drinking log is one of the best and most effective things you can do. Explore the benefits of having a drinking log and how it can help you change your relationship with alcohol.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

KEY POINTS

Up Next

3 Common Mistakes That Drinkers Make That Keep Them Trapped

If you struggle with drinking and alcohol consumption, then maybe itโ€™s time you change your relationship with alcohol. There are three mistakes that drinkers make that keep them stuck in the same loop forever, and understanding those mistakes can help you break out of that vicious cycle.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

KEY POINTS

Up Next

The Emotional Secret to Resisting Alcohol: How To Quit Drinking And Be Sober

Resisting alcohol is probably one of the toughest journeys to be on, but it is doable. As long as you know the right way to deal with your unhealthy relationship with alcohol, you are in a good position. Letโ€™s explore the secret to resisting alcohol, and how to improve your relationship with alcohol.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

KEY POINTS

Up Next

Why We Drink: The Truth About Our Alcohol Obsession

Drinking culture has become so ingrained in our society these days, that imagining any celebration or social event with alcohol consumption is almost impossible. This article is going to discuss the truth of alcohol obsession, why we drink and drinking culture in general.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

KEY POINTS

Up Next

8 Different Types Of Drunks: From Buzzed To Being Absolutely Blotto

Ah, the magical elixir that transforms us into curious creatures of the nightโ€”the mighty drink! Itโ€™s fascinating how a single sip can turn even the most reserved souls into animated versions of themselves, each with their own unique flair. So, letโ€™s raise our glasses and delve into the interesting world of the different types of drunks.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});