Addiction is regarded as a problem behavior, with addiction to drugs and alcohol seen as having strong associations with antisocial behavior. All addiction is antisocial in that it diverts our attention from positive relationships with others in society, towards our substance of choice. All addicts need addict help.
Addicts who use food, or buy consumer goods to feed their addiction are not seen as being antisocial, merely people with a problem. Gaming addiction is not regarded as being anti social until it causes abuse in the family, and financial distress.
In many ways, addiction to anything can be seen as a more positive step than a complete retreat and withdrawal into a private, unhappy world. We are often shocked to find that some largely ignored and ostracized person has turned on society with a gun. Shoots people and then himself – the ultimate in destructive antisocial behavior.
Generally, the history of such a person shows that they were a social “misfit” who could not find belonging and relationship in their world. Sometimes there has been a personal crisis in which the person felt that their position was not recognized. There can be a history of the person having been “bullied” by others. Sometimes people self medicate with drugs as a defense against acting out their pain and anger. Drug use is an introverted way of acting so as to alleviate symptoms of emotional distress, a turning against the self. Addict help needs to restore damaged self esteem.
The community only involves itself in the treatment of addiction when it is causing problems for society. The focus is not so much the person, as the problems they are causing others.
Society more or less takes the view that any antisocial behavior must be modified by management, otherwise psychoactive drugs. We currently have a society that operates under pressure. We are so removed from the gentle rhythms of the natural world that if it was not such a serious problem, it would be a joke.
Living with pervasive, endemic pressure makes people respond in different ways – some will rise to the occasion, others will simply go under. One way to relieve pressure is to kick the nearest dog. Pressures upon people in society today cause aggression and addiction to drugs.
Parents of bullied children are now calling out for tribunals to investigate their issues. They consider that the schools are not doing enough. While we continue to place responsibility for aggression and addiction with others in the community, we remain a part of the problem.
It is possible to find a way of living in the community, despite aggression and competitive pressures, that is filled with love and contentment. However, it means that we need to resolve the anger and the emotional pain that we hold inside ourselves.
Holistic addiction recovery methods can enable people to express feelings of negativity, futility and anger in an environment that is supportive. Using natural methods and treatments, people can learn to resolve their issues and become free of emotional bondage. The more understanding we have and receive about the pressures that lead to addiction, the less compulsive our behavior, the more we can feel free.
Addict help for addiction that is based on holistic principles makes people more aware of healthy options, and less compulsive in their behavior. Complete recovery from all addiction and anti social behavior is possible when we use holistic methods to eliminate feelings of anger, resentment and aggression that are within ourselves.
Author: National Addiction Resources
America's Best Treatment Directory
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