Abuse, Addiction, and Alcohol

Addiction or abuse is characterized by the repetitive or compulsive use of a substance despite negative consequences to the user. When we hear the word addiction we generally think of things such as alcohol or drugs. Activities such as shopping, work, computer games, and even sex can become addictions as well by this definition.
There are many theories regarding addiction. ACC therapist, Teresa Tindall, shares her thoughts on alcohol abuse from one of those perspectives—family of origin.

Approximately 10% of Americans are alcoholics. An additional 14%, or 40 million Americans, are problem drinkers, meaning they have 5 or more drinks/day or binge 2 days/week. Mrs. Tindall explained that alcohol dependence is characterized by 3 or more of the following: an increased tolerance; larger amounts/longer use; withdrawal symptoms; loss of control; blackouts; preoccupation with alcohol; reduced social functioning; sneaking; denial; and loss of personal values.

“There are many reasons why people begin to drink—peer pressure, experimentation, adolescent rebellion, family history, or a temporary reduction in stress, anxiety, and avoidance of true feelings,” Teresa shared. “Alcohol abuse not only affects physical health, but it damages other aspects of life—marriage, family, work, finances, spiritual, social, and may eventually lead to legal consequences or death.”

At the heart of an abuser, however, is someone struggling with a lot of hurt, pain, guilt, shame, doubt, and low self-esteem. In some cases, addictions are symptoms of deeper underlying issues that evolved out of family systems during childhood. There is often a child within who is confused, scared, wounded, and crying out to be revealed and healed. The more dysfunctional the family, the stronger and deeper the dependency because the pain is so frightening and strong it takes more to deny that pain and hide it from others.

“If the person has been in a relationship with their substance of choice for a long time, they may actually go through the steps of the grieving process when they break off that relationship,” Tindall stated. “The mask of their false identity has been removed and now they don’t know who they are. Growing up in a dysfunctional family often creates a distorted self-image and years of ‘crooked thinking’ along with unhealthy coping skills embedded in the core of their belief system which need to be replaced with the truth.”

“More people quit addictions than maintain them and they do so on their own. That’s not to say it happens overnight. People succeed when they recognize that the addiction interferes with something they value—and when they develop the confidence that they can change” (Psychology Today, “The Surprising Truth about Addiction.” May/June 2004). A safe environment in which to uncover and replace those unhealthy coping skills, to learn new ways to deal with stress, and to build communication skills may provide the beginning point for the journey.

“The awesome part about having a relationship with Christ is finding out who you are in Him. To me, that is when the real healing and recovery takes place,” Teresa shared.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read that ‘if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’ It takes time, however, and often relapse does occur while stepping out of the familiar onto new ground to heal and grow into the new creation God has prepared in you.”

© 2006, Associates in Christian Counseling, all rights reserved.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction or abuse, call 336-896-0065, ext. 203 and start begin the healing process.