Life-Altering Eevnts: Addictions

by Peggy Sweeney
    No one intentionally chooses an unhealthy behavior or habit. These destructive tendencies usually develop over a period of time and are often the result of physical and/or emotional trauma or multiple traumas. In this article, we will explore some of the reasons we make the choices that we do as well as some of the struggles people must cope with during their recovery from addiction.
   Several years ago, I served as a consultant for a local hospital. During that time, I provided help and support for adult and adolescent patients recovering from chemical dependency and emotional trauma by way of one-on-one conversations and group support meetings. The patients shared their personal stories of grief, abuse, and other misfortunes that had influenced their need to find a way to cope with these events. Flashbacks from childhood of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse were common themes as well as feelings of abandonment by a parent or caregiver due to death, divorce, incarceration, or the unwillingness to care for their offspring. Some adults remembered the shame they felt as children or teenagers when classmates and neighborhood bullies belittled them because of their appearance, physical abnormalities, or social status.
   Traumatic events that happened during childhood are not the only reasons for addictive or unhealthy behaviors. Sometimes the paths we choose in our adult life lead us into the world of emotional chaos and nightmares. The day-to-day occurrences of human tragedy and suffering witnessed by firefighters and emergency service personnel as well as life-threatening situations they encounter are prime examples of this. Although we thrive on the adrenaline rush and the good feelings of a job well done helping others, tragedy and trauma can and often do take their toll on us. Some of these men and women are able to cope with these experiences. Many, unfortunately, cannot. As each new stressful or traumatic event occurs, the need to heal mentally and emotionally builds until they must find an outlet for their inner pain.
    Addiction or unhealthy behaviors manifest themselves in many ways. Alcoholism, substance abuse, and gambling are some examples of a person’s need to find solace for coping with life. Many children not only suffer from chemical dependency but also express their cries for help through self-mutilation, sexual promiscuity, and eating disorders. Adults and children alike may communicate their feelings of fear and anger through violence.
    Addiction does not happen overnight but rather over time. For instance, what may begin as a few beers to numb our feelings and temporarily block out the horrific scenes that play over and over again in our mind eventually become many beers in the same time period. We have a strong need to suppress what is painful to remember. We want to erase from our memory all the unpleasantness in our life. Unhealthy habits or addictions become the outlet for overcoming the emotional and physical suffering we have endured. Unaware of what is happening, we add another element of struggle to our life. Now we must not only resolve the issues that brought us to this place in life, we must also cope with one more demon: the addiction or harmful behavior. This demon has the power to destroy our life and the lives of those we love. Our unhealthy remedy (the addictive/harmful behavior) to heal our emotional wounds may become a financial burden in addition to a detriment to our health. In some cases, addiction can result in job loss, long-term disability, incarceration, or even death.
    Once someone has acknowledged his or her addiction problem, recovery must follow. Recovery is not easy. It is not a sugar-coated cure for emotional trauma, but rather a lifelong commitment to coping with life without the aid of alcohol, chemicals, or other addictive activities. Nonetheless, the benefits from recovery far outweigh the consequences of addiction.
    As I stated previously, recovery from an addiction or unhealthy habit is never easy. Case in point: Someone has acknowledged that they have an addiction to alcohol. They have begun their rehabilitation within the safe confines of a treatment facility. During this time, they have undergone physical withdrawal from alcohol, daily one-on-one and group meetings with counselors and other alcoholics as well as rebuilding relationships with family and friends. The source of the addiction has been removed from their life for now. The patient is given advice and resources to help them address and resolve the events in their life that played a major role in the addiction process. As difficult and painful as it may be to talk about our memories and feelings, I believe this is a key factor to recovery. At the end of their time in the treatment facility they must return to everyday life and deal with situations that challenge their abstinence.
    Remember that this unhealthy pattern of coping with emotional trauma has developed over years. Staying sober is not easy. It will be their responsibility to make choices that will help them avoid a relapse. For instance, they may realize that certain places of entertainment that they once enjoyed must now be avoided at all costs for their sake. A major challenge facing people in recovery within the emergency response community is the recurring stressors and traumatic events that may have lead to their addiction. It will be very important for them to receive encouragement and support from family members, co-workers, and friends as they re-invest in their new life. I support the fact that their choice for an addiction-free life is their responsibility but no one can do it alone. If someone you love or care about is in need of your help, do not judge him or her by their addiction but rather by the gifts and talents they possess. With your help, their addiction can become a life-altering event of recovery and inner peace.

Copyright 2004 Peggy Sweeney. All rights reserved.