We Have a Thinking Problem, Not a Drug Problem
When I entered treatment on November 1, 2013 I was convinced that just as soon as my drug problem was solved, all of my problems would be solved.
Nothing could have been further from the truth. Not to mention, it took me 7 attempts to get clean, all of which failed until I combined three different types of outpatient treatment. For me, I needed the whole package. not just a month in treatment. I needed a new plan for life and lots of help implementing it. Else, I’m sure I would have died from drug overdose just like my brother had in 2005.
We Don’t Have a Drug Problem — We Have a Thinking Problem
One of the most common stories I’ve heard in recovery meetings is when someone shares about their reaction to the first time they drank alcohol or took a drug. Countless people share the same experience that goes something like this:
“I knew the moment I took the drink/drug that this was what was missing in my life. For the very first time I felt like I fit in. I felt comfortable in my own skin for the first time in my life. From that point forward I knew if I took a drink/drug I’d instantly feel better, fit in, felt sociable, etc.”
Typically, people who have a positive, severe emotional reaction to drugs and alcohol are the ones who suffer most. Without drugs and/or alcohol they just feel as if they don’t fit in. And, by fit in I mean fit into the world at large. It’s no fun feeling this way. Especially knowing that without taking drugs and alcohol they can’t be comfortable living their life.
Situational Physical Dependence
Here’s more proof of having a thinking problem — If drugs are your solution when life gets hard, you definitely have a thinking problem. My addiction issues were a blend of these two issues. I felt more comfortable with drugs in my system and life got really hard (very hard) to the point where I couldn’t function without drugs due to depression and anxiety taking over my brain.
Drugs helped calm me and take my mind off of the hell that was breaking loose in every facet of my life. Some of it my fault, some of it just life happening and me not having the coping skills or resources to process and deal with it. Drugs were my escape for almost 6 years, staying addicted for over 13 years. It was a tough road at the end, but thanks to a program like the one here at Nashville Recovery, I was able to change my whole life into one of purpose and happiness.
Life still happens, but I now have tools and friends to talk with as things come up. It really is a new way of thinking, and one I desperately needed.
If you want to read my story, click here to download a free copy of The 4 Hacks to Getting Clean.
If We Have a Thinking Problem, Why Take Suboxone?
Suboxone is far from being the total solution in recovery. It’s a small part of the addiction solution in fact.
Suboxone is a tool used to eliminate withdrawals and cravings — That’s it. It’s not a cure. It won’t fix you. It’s a tool.
The reason Subcone works so well as a part of recovery is because it eliminates withdrawals and cravings, which allows the brain to take a break from chasing pills, always thinking about drugs, and mostly to rid people of worry over impending withdrawals.
Suboxone gives people the emotional space and freedom so that therapies can be engaged (group and/or private), ad this is where the real “healing” begins.
Only through therapy can we “change our brains” and learn a new way to think, live life on life’s terms, and cope with issues as they arrive vs. hiding from them.
Therapy is the most critical part of recovery. Without therapy, you’re really just medicating. That’s why we provide free weekly therapy to all patients at Nashville Recovery. We want people to heal, not just stay on a Suboxone maintenance plan.
Ready to begin real recovery?
Schedule your first visit by clicking this link. Receive your doctor’s visits and multiple therapy sessions for one low price per month — Typically 1/10th of what people spend on street drugs. You’ll be prescribed Suboxone and go through private therapy, so you can finally fix that thinking problem, by which you can fully eliminate your drug problem.
