Trying To Treat Addiction Issues

[nailit]

Is treating addiction issues (alcohol, drugs, gambling etc) futile?
What I mean is, shouldnt the underlying CAUSE of addiction be treated instead?
Reading dieseldick's post below Re: struggling with drink, its obvious that trying to treat his alcohol issues would be flogging a dead horse unless he had some help managing his other issues? (apologies to dieseldick, just using your post as an example). 12 step programmes to 'treat' addictions dont have a very good track record eg
http://www.psmag.com/books-and-culture/75-years-alcoholics-anonymous-time-admit-problem-74268
The link echoes not only my own experience but dozens (if not hundreds) of people that Ive known over the years and yet the public are led to believe that these programmes 'work'. Thats NOT to say that they dont work for SOME.
People aquire addictions for various and diverse reasons but to my mind its like sticking a plaster on a broken bone most of the time...it seems to be 'medicine' but is actually useless.

Appriciate any thoughts,
thank you.

[nailit]

and why are 12 step programmes so great anyway? Not everyone can muster a belief in a 'higher power' anyway. (I cant)

[Psybbo]

Gamblers Anonymous has worked for a friend but I don't think any of them would work for me because I don't like to be told.

[nailit]

LOL psibbs.....

[Psybbo]

Great to see you posting again, I was a bit worried xx

[nailit]

Pysibbs, dont know if you got my last email but how is ur mum doing on those morphine patches?

[nailit]

Psybbs, I replied to ur last email but got no reply, did u not recieve it?

[DaisyNonna]

Why? Is a very important word.
Don't is oppressive, Do can be interpreted as 'I am always right', Why? implies a need to understand.
If you are unable to understand your advice may be inappropriate or useless.

[Tilly2]

Is there a difference between an addiction and a habit? I habitually drink alcohol with my evening meal. Am I addicted to alcohol or is it just a habit? I am confused!

[Gavmacp]

I have found that if one addiction is treated successfully another can rear its ugly head.

[Psybbo]

Yes Nailit sorry, just haven't got around to replying, Up to my eyes with a very ill friend and, of course, my mother and, in between Cheltenham, one of my addictions!
I agree Tilly, habit turning into addiction!

[nailit]

Tilly, I think that habit is frequent repetition, addiction is a compulsion.

[melv16]

They're 1000's of AA meetings up and down the country. If the twelve step program didn't work they wouldn't be any meetings!

[nailit]

Pyssibs, no problem, thinking of you, just wondered if my email was working because it wouldnt be the first time that email (or texts etc) had gone amis. Ah, the joys of the electronic age!!

[nailit]

//They're 1000's of AA meetings up and down the country. If the twelve step program didn't work they wouldn't be any meetings!/
Dont doubt it melv.
Theres 1000's of weight watchers programmes up and down the country as well and for evey fatty thats lost a few pounds theres a few more that gained a few stone.

[woofgang]

I think that the reason for any treatment that addresses the addiction is that it can help the addict get back to a place where they can then deal with whatever the underlying issue(s) is/are.

[melv16]

Half the battle of addiction is admitting it to yourself. I don't think you can equate WW's to AA.

[nailit]

//Half the battle of addiction is admitting it to yourself. I don't think you can equate WW's to AA.//
Why? Is addiction to food different from addiction from cigarettes or gambling? Dont overweight people 'admit' that they are overweight? And need help from over eating? Whats the difference between someone comfort eating and someone comfort drinking (and I do both BTW)

[nailit]

woofgang
I think that the reason for any treatment that addresses the addiction is that it can help the addict get back to a place where they can then deal with whatever the underlying issue(s) is/are
Thats my point. Get to the REASON not the sympton.

[boxtops]

That's an interesting question, nailit. I'm overweight but I don't exercise, I'm not addicted to food. Addiction implies that someone is doing something to excess and there is a compulsion to do it - if tilly felt she couldn't eat food without alcohol, and preferred the drink to the food, then that to me would be addiction (sorry tilly, you gave a good example).

[boxtops]

Yes, I like your last point, nailit.