From Addiction Thinking to Recovery Thinking

In addiction treatment we seek to move the addict from addiction thinking to recovery thinking. In active addiction a person’s constantly in conflict with reality, usually because the person is in some stage of denial. No one wants to be an addict — no one wants to be considered weak, flawed or out of control, so the addict constructs a defense system to deal with the consequences of addiction.

Often the person will blame other people, places and things for the consequences. The boss at work is unreasonable and has it in for me. My husband doesn’t understand the pressure I’m under. The police officer was looking to fill a quota and followed me from the bar. If the addict takes responsibility for consequences of his/her addiction this is usually an acceptance of the problem that the addict is not willing to embrace, so excuses are made.

Anyone who’s ever closely known an alcoholic, cocaine addict, opiate addict, etc., knows all too well the excuses and blame shifting — they understand the defense mechanisms built by the addict. Sometimes and addict’s defensive system will break down, and this is an opportunity to seek treatment. Family members often urge the addict to seek treatment. I hear all the time that treatment is useless the person addicted is completely ready — well. this is not entirely true. An addict who goes to treatment because others are pushing for treatment will often drop the defenses once around others in treatment who are talking openly about their alcohol or other drug problem. It takes an unimaginable amount of energy to maintain a defense system that’s at adds with reality. It’s exhausting.

We never know what’s going on in a person’s mind. The addict might be bellicose outwardly, denying they have a problem, but deep down they’re wishing something would happen to force them into treatment. They’re seeking relief, but don’t know what to do. I see this happen all the time — the consequence that drives the addict into treatment becomes the thing that saves them. The addict will often say they’re grateful for a DUI or grateful that their spouse temporarily left them.

Once a person is in treatment it’s a process of re-evaluating their thoughts and value judgements. Treatment is in large part a process of moving from addiction thinking to recovery thinking.