You’ve heard it at least 100 times or more that once you are addicted: you’re going to remain addicted for the rest of your life. In fact, if you speak with a traditional counselor or professional when it comes to addiction treatment programs and alcohol use disorder treatment, you’ll probably hear the same thing. However, the “once an addict, always an addict” edict can be quite misleading.
There are various reasons that people become addicted to substances. It is a popular belief that some are predisposed to addiction. The fact is that everyone is different, and why they started to abuse drugs or alcohol and how that abuse became an addiction is as varied as the number of people who suffer from addiction. However, there is some research to help you understand the idea.
Does Addiction End?
The first school of thought involves the attachment model of addiction. Addiction due to “attachment issues” means you’ve ascribed an inappropriate “attachment” to drugs or alcohol to substitute for a lack in some area (childhood traumas, abuse). In this case, addiction can end when you learn how to develop healthy attachment relationships in substance abuse treatment.
The disease model of addiction ascribes a biological cause to addiction, (i.e. alcoholism “running in the family”). However, the “disease” model of addiction does not describe how two offspring of addicted individuals have different outcomes. One may become an addict while the other one never drinks or does drugs in their lifetime. Hence, the disease model would be thrown out because someone with the same DNA escaped the addiction fate.
Another school of thought is that addiction is a learning disorder. In other words, it’s the result of environmental factors and learned behaviors. For example, someone living in an environment where drug use is normalized may feel compelled to try drugs or alcohol due to peer pressure or even a lack of parental guidance. Addiction can end when this person learns how to make healthier lifestyle choices and break out of their toxic environment.
Is the Idea of an “Addictive Personality” Valid?
The disease model of addiction would also dictate that if you are addicted to one thing, you can be addicted to another. This includes the debate of the “addictive personality.” This school of thought is further debunked by the fact that most people are not addicted to opioids, opiates, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, gambling, etc. Rather, people are typically addicted to a singular substance.
What is true is that individuals make choices every day as to how their lives will continue. People who have horrible childhoods and represent the fifth generation in a family filled with alcoholism can either never live that life or put that life behind them. This all depends on the choices that are made on a daily basis. In the event that you are suffering or a loved one is suffering from substance abuse disorder or alcohol use disorder what you learn in a private drug rehab center will give you the necessary tools to change the course of your life. In the end, once an “addict always an addict” is never true for anyone if they make a decision to utilize the tools they learned in treatment.
An Option To End Substance Abuse
Crestview Recovery is located in Portland, Oregon. In a region where there is a lack of substance abuse treatment centers, Crestview Recovery is an oasis. With an emphasis on partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programming. We treat the entire person who is struggling with addictions to drugs or alcohol. Our clients include those who have a dual diagnosis (a mental health issue along with a substance or alcohol use disorder).
The following is a short listing of some of our treatment programming options:
- Opiate addiction rehab center
- Opioid addiction rehab center
- Oxycodone addiction rehab center
- Painkiller addiction rehab center
- Prescription drug addiction rehab center
Get the Help You Need Today From Crestview Recovery
Addiction can end if you work on the underlying issues driving the addiction. It is possible to heal these attachment issues and resolve your addictions with help from a trained therapist. Evidence-based treatment modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care, can be very effective in treating substance abuse disorders. Recovery is possible and achievable with the right help.
There are literally thousands of treatment programs across the country. What makes Crestview Recovery different is we have a comprehensive recovery program. We have treatment programming for addiction to multiple substances. Finding this level of care in the Pacific Northwest is not easy. Added amenities include white water rafting, skiing and various other outdoor activities. We find that including recreation as part of treatment is crucial for healing. Contact one of our intake workers today at 866.262.0531. We look forward to helping you begin the road to abstinence and health at our recovery center.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
