People often quote the phrase, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” The insanity of addiction and alcoholism, however, can be somewhat different. Many of us were fully aware of the consequences of our using. Whether it’s the harms we would cause ourselves and others, the chaos and unmanageability it would create in our lives, or the possibility of jails, institutions, or death, we used anyway. We lost control entirely over our ability to drink or use successfully and saw the damage that had resulted. Yet, we were powerless over drugs and alcohol.
The first step toward recovery is overcoming the delusion that we don’t suffer from the disease of addiction or alcoholism—that we can assert control over our drinking, even though our past actions prove otherwise. The insanity of addiction and alcoholism is characterized by self-deception. We fall into a delusional state of thinking and convince ourselves that, even though all evidence is to the contrary, this time will be different. We fool ourselves into believing that this time we will be able to conduct ourselves just like other people. It’s this thinking that prevents us from getting into an addiction treatment program sooner.
Do you find yourself searching online for “Addiction treatment near me“? If so, call us today at 877.296.7477.
The Persistent Illusion
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous explains that people suffering from alcoholism are bodily and mentally different from others: “The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death. We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery.” When we finally smash the illusion that we can drink or use in moderation without losing manageability in our lives, we begin to realize why sobriety is the only answer.
Through the process of recovery, we enter into various stages of thorough self-examination and reflection. We look inwardly and come to the realization that our ways of thinking in relation to drinking or using drugs did not reflect reality, and we had been stuck in a delusional state. Through sobriety, sanity does return. When that happens, we no longer feel in danger of falling back into the traps of self-deception that once controlled our lives.
Why Addiction Treatment Is So Important
Addiction can have serious, long-term consequences on a person’s physical and mental health. It can lead to financial problems, strained relationships with family and friends, and even legal trouble. Addiction treatment is the best way to break the cycle of addiction and start living a healthier life.
Reputable treatment centers such as Oceanfront Recovery provide evidence-based therapies and support to help people with addiction recognize their triggers. In addition, they gain the skills they need to cope with life without relying on drugs or alcohol. Counseling sessions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy can be used to teach healthier coping mechanisms, while group therapy helps individuals build accountability and a sense of community.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is also an effective option for people struggling with addiction. MAT combines medications to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms with counseling and support to help individuals address the underlying causes of their addictions. MAT is useful as a short-term solution to manage physical symptoms of addiction or as a long-term strategy for lasting recovery.
Get the Addiction Treatment Help You Need With Oceanfront Recovery
Sobriety can be the next great chapter in your story. You can recover and face life successfully, free from the delusion and self-deception of active addiction. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment facility in beautiful Laguna Beach, offers a variety of leading-edge treatment methodologies and techniques to give you all the tools necessary to make a full recovery from addiction and alcoholism. For more information about treatment options, please call today at 877.296.7477.
