I have tried the traditional routes, and while they helped me learn a lot about addiction, no one method was a cure all for my affliction. What worked for me was identifying the root cause of my addiction, what was motivating me to use, and address that issue directly.
For years I thought I suffer major depression, axiety, and OCD. In reality the depression and axiety were symptoms of the OCD, so the OCD was ground zero for me. While I had tried various psych meds such as antidepressants and benzodiazapines (which only served to amplify my addictions), none of them touched the root issue - OCD. I learned everything I could about OCD and compiled a list of treatments, excluding nothing. I researched each one, and decided to give Cognitive Behavioural Therapy a valid chance, as I had been on some medications previously for OCD and they did nothing in the long term, and the side effects we not sustainable. It took about four years of practicing CBT and it has been a life altering experience. While the OCD still exists, it is manageable and I recognize triggers and be aware when I am feeding it, and modify my behaviour or reactions to it.
Being able to manage the OCD has allowed me to manage the addictions, which in reality were also a symptom of the OCD. I have been clean of benzodiazapines for six years and clean from alcohol for two years, and no longer have the drive to be intoxicated or the desire to alter my consciousness. I don't struggle with cravings as (knock on wood) I no longer get them.
However, in the past when I would get sober by utilizing traditional methods, I would struggle with cravings and invasive obsessive thoughts about using. The traditional methods are problematic as they either don't empower the addict to be proactive in addressing the addiction or they completely dismiss the idea that there is in fact a root issue that is precipitating the addiction the requires resolution. 12 step programs focus on a sense of community and installs the belief that addiction is an inherent component of the addict, that it is not within the addict's ability to have any control over the addiction, which is false imo. Addiction is a symptom of a larger issue, and dismissing the existence of a larger issue keeps the addict trapped in a perpetual state of early recovery, and transfers the addict's identity to that of simply being an addict. It removes the possibility of a true recovery for them, and keeps them from progressing forward beyond the addiction.
Alternatively, just throwing medication at the addict without mindful practice and therapy is equally as damaging to the addict, as the symptoms are being treated but the root cause is not being addressed. Most psych meds work great in the short term, but they are habit forming and tolerance building as well, and are not a sustainable solution. While I do believe that certain conditions require long term medication (bipolar, schizophrenia), I believe that mindful therapy needs to be incorporerated into treatment as its both empowering to the addict to be proactive in their recovery. Simply medicating an addict allows them to continue to play a passive role in recover, and that passiveness prevents them from progressing forward and moving beyond addiction.
I hope this makes sense - sorry it's so long - kind of got on a few tangents and was also multitasking while writing this. Kudos on your doctorate! I need to figure out what I want to be when I grow up and start working on an advanced degree lol.
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