It is not unusual to read about how substance addiction affects our physical health. This perspective focuses on specific symptoms (e.g., cancer, liver disease, etc.) that are caused by substance use. In order to maximize the potential for a positive treatment outcome it is important that we focus on the idea of symptoms as being the driving force behind substance use.
An example of this would be to see stress as a symptom or driving force that leads to or reinforces smoking. In this context stress is defined as any challenge that we face. The stress becomes distressful when we are unable to manage it. To illustrate, smoking would be seen as an outcome of being in a distressful situation that continues over time. The smoking behavior is reinforced by the addictive properties of tobacco, its stress relieving properties as well as the related social components (i.e., smoking with friends, smoking while speaking on the phone, etc.).
The advantage that I see to having this perspective is that it allows the focus to be on managing the reinforcing component(s) of the addiction rather than on the substance use itself. By integrating behavioral, cognitive and nutritional compnents into the treatment the body’s systems would be able to develop and maintain a healthy balance. Being in balance would maximize someone’s ability to stop using any addictive substance and to remain abstinent over time. In a sense it would help to take the focus off of what the person is doing wrong and allow attention to be on identifying and integrating solutions that could result in a positive outcome.
I welcome your comments and questions.
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