by Kelly Thompson

Created on: May 19, 2009   Last Updated: May 23, 2009

There are several costs associated with recovering from addiction, they include: psychological, physiological, periphery and financial. Below we'll address each of them as subsections. But first, a general disclaimer. The following is not meant to be discouraging to those dealing with the pressures and pangs of recovering from addiction. Rather, this diatribe is meant to prepare both families and persons dealing with this strife.

Psychological

Anyone who has ever been addictated to anything knows that it is about more than the physical elements of the addiction. This is proven by people addicted to shopping, eating, etc. It's also about how it makes you feel mentally. People addicted to smoking cigarrettes, for example, certainly have a physical affliction drawing them to the cancer sticks, however, there is also a psychological side that forces them to crave the feeling on their lips, or simply have the smoking stick in their hands. The psychological need filled by addiction is a difficult instinct to overcome. It truly becomes a case of mind over matter. The best ways to deal with this aspect of addiction is to fill the void with other things. If its' simply a need to have something in your hand, use stress relief instruments. If it's an oral affliction, use gum or hard candy. These will help overcome the psychological need filled by you or your loved one's addiction.

Physiological

Ther is no denying that the most difficult aspect of recovering from addiction is what it does to your body. Drugs/alcohol/tobacco/etc. all force chemical releases within your body that make you feel or respond a certain way. Certainly it could be argued that eating and buying things produce a physical stimulus as well. The important thing to remember when dealing with an addiction is that there is a physical aspect to why a person is performing a certain destructive behavior. It is NOT simply a matter of them giving it up. They do need help, not just an attitude change. The best and literally the only way to deal with the physical elements of addiction is through attrition. Programs that offer steps away from an addiction or offer to gradually wheen a person off of a drug (etc.) are simply scapegoats to continue use or make people money. Simply put - only cold turkey works. You must shock your body and deal with the physical costs. (Most often these are called withdraws.) Withdraws are simply dealt with by being alone and allowing your body to adjust to its' new chemical balance.

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