Addiction and past experiences in life share an irrefutable connection. That’s why it’s crucial to confront the past when dealing with addiction. Addicts should acknowledge the role of their past in addiction recovery.
People develop some behaviors at an early age. These behaviors influence how people handle situations and interact with others. Identifying the specific factors that led to the origin of these behaviors is the most difficult task. That’s because they are deeply implanted in the subconscious part of a person. Uncovering the specific reasons why they originated can also be impossible if a person doesn’t seek professional assistance.
For some addicts, recalling past events is not easy. It’s stressful, frustrating, painful, and even unpleasant after abusing substances for a long time. And this affects memory as well as the solutions that addicts use to suppress reality. But, failing to acknowledge the connection between the past of an addict and their addiction can diminish the possibility for recovery.
Luckily, addicts can get help by calling AddictionResource drug and alcohol hotlines. These are phone numbers that addicts can use to get all the information they need to embark on their recovery journey. They are manned by highly trained and experienced addiction experts. The information that addicts get from calling these numbers can mark the beginning of the end of their vicious substance abuse cycle.
Here is how life experiences play a role in addiction
Creation of Events’ Chronology
Remembering some past events, especially ones that caused pain can be difficult. That’s because most people would rather forget those events altogether. However, such events may not have clarity, and recalling them can be confusing. But, addicts can identify, process, and differentiate such events in small steps. They can do this by listing previous events, starting with recent ones. They can also start with the most recent and go backward. This will enable an addict to have all the information they may be asked to provide when they call rehab.
Filling in Black Spaces
When it comes to listing past events, filling in the existing gaps is very important. This enables an addict to recall the experiences they may have suppressed and then bring them to light. Revealing more experiences makes breaking down events easier. And this can help the counselors understand why a person engaged in substance abuse. Essentially, this information can help in the identification of the root cause of the addiction.
Take Time to Grief
Research has shown that most addicts don’t want to acknowledge grief and loss because they associate the emotions with unpleasant events like losing their loved ones. As such, taking time to grief can provide the relief that an addict needs. But, painful events like being abused during childhood can bring similar emotions.
During recovery, counselors encourage addicts to grieve over these experiences. For instance, they can be encouraged to grieve lost romantic relationships, missed opportunities, or close friendships.
Once a person has called a drug helpline and joined a treatment program, such events can be identified first to enable the counselor to help them process and address them as the cause of addiction. A plan can then be devised to help the patient move forward.
Learning How to Grow
Addicts are different and their recovery process can vary. That’s because even situations that cause substance abuse and addiction are different. The individuals that call rehab numbers and proceed to get help have varying experiences. What’s more, their addiction levels vary. That’s why counselors and addiction recovery experts take different treatment approaches.
Most rehabs offer both group and individual therapy sessions for different reasons. That’s because not every addict will be comfortable to talk about life experiences during a group therapy session. Others excel in sharing life experiences in groups than when talking to one person. So, if a patient feels uncomfortable about group therapy sessions, one-on-one sessions might work for them.
The idea is to help patients open up about their past. This is very important because it helps in processing past events that may have led to addiction. It’s only by identifying and processing life experiences that addicts can start working on their recovery. This is a crucial step that enables addicts to pinpoint the feelings that they associate with particular occurrences. Once they have done this, they can recognize the emotions they associate with their destructive behaviors.
Why Group Therapy is Beneficial
Research has shown that interactions with people that are facing similar circumstances can enhance a patient’s learning experience, provide a feeling of support, decrease depression and social isolation, as well as, improve motivation.
Essentially, group therapy enhances confidence while providing support. It enables individuals to realize that they are not the only ones struggling with addiction. Listening to other people’s stories can also remind addicts about their suppressed emotions and pasts. This can mark the beginning of the healing process by addressing those emotions and pasts.
The Bottom Line
By the time a person decides to call the national addiction hotline, they have struggled with many experiences that they wish to forget forever. However, most people do not recover until they address their life experiences. That’s because past events and experiences play a significant role in addiction. And if life experiences are not addressed, they can be the reason why a person will relapse. But, recalling and addressing life experiences is not easy. That’s why people need professional help to address life experiences and recovery from addiction.
