Move beyond the labels and rewrite the narrative on addiction through these strategies of empathy and resilience.

I have a fun exercise for you. Let’s pinch our noses, close our mouths and hold our breaths for five minutes. Hold it, don’t give up! For five minutes, use your willpower to prevent your body from breathing. Chances are, you aren’t really able to hold your breath for that long, right? You may really want to. You can beg your body and mind to be patient and fight. However, your survival desire to breathe betrays your conscious decision to hold your breath.

Losing this battle between physical desires and conscious efforts is a painful experience that many individuals struggling with addiction know too well.

Addiction is a psychological or physical dependence on either a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, or on a behavior, such as gambling or sexual behaviors. While addiction may differ from one person to another, individuals generally struggle with:

• Intense cravings
• Preoccupation with the substance or behavior 
• Increasing tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms 
• Inability to stop despite the negative consequences.  

Honesty is key!

Discussing addiction and supporting someone struggling with such an experience may be overwhelming. The boundaries may be blurred, emotions may be intense and discomfort could be present. With these dos and don’ts, learn how to navigate these situations with ease, empathy and courage. 

In reality, while some elderly people suffer from certain physical and cognitive challenges, many tend to live a healthy, independent life with the proper access to healthcare and support resources. Many elderly are even financially independent and are fully capable of supporting and contributing back to society.

Don’t assume addiction is a personal choice.

We’ve all heard the phrase: “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” 

Individuals struggling with addiction may be expected to simply choose not to engage in their addiction. However, what is often underestimated is the powerful effect the addiction has on changing the brain’s chemistry. Just like the brain forces us to open our mouths to breathe, the brain also prioritizes the happy hormones that result from engaging in one’s addiction. Of course, there is the “choice” of doing the act, but this “choice” is almost impossible to challenge with pure willpower. Treatment for addiction is a process of detoxification, counselling, social support and aftercare. That is why insinuating to individuals with addiction that their disorder persists as a result of their own decisions may create feelings of helplessness, frustration, invalidation and resistance to treatment. 

Do separate the disorder from the person.

Addict. Junkie. Crackhead. Druggie. 

While these terms do describe a person struggling with substance use disorder, they are often stigmatizing and discriminating. This choice of words stems from the misconception that addiction disorder is a moral failure rather than a complex condition, constraining the person’s identity within the framework of their addiction. A struggling mother becomes an “alcoholic.” A distressed teenager becomes a “pothead.” And a chronically ill man becomes a “junkie.” Stereotyping individuals struggling with addiction paints a negative picture on who they are and what they are capable of when, in reality, disorders are expressed differently for different people. For example, not every person struggling with addiction is dysfunctional and some may be leading productive lives. However, the repercussions of using stigmatizing labels reinforce prejudice against those with addiction while, in return, encouraging discrimination and closing the lines of honest communication to help them. When discussing this critical topic, be mindful to use more respectful and empathetic terminologies, such as “individual struggling with addiction.”

Don’t be critical, but don’t enable. 

Empathy is an important foundation to aid a struggling person to receive treatment or support. It involves creating a non-judgemental safe space for the individual, and sincerely understanding the pain this person may be going through. However, it is important to note that empathy does not correspond to enabling behavior. For example, understanding that a person’s physical pain prompted their addiction should not excuse the continuation of this addiction. In this case, having empathy means listening to the person with compassion and trying to support their journey in recovery. A distinguishable feature between empathy and enabling behavior also includes being assertive regarding the established boundaries and concerns. 

Do expect a moment of weakness.

It takes immense courage when someone seeks treatment for their addiction, regardless of their circumstances. This decision is usually accompanied with anxiety or apprehension of accidentally falling back into addiction. One thing to keep conscious of is the probability of relapsing despite the efforts to stay in the treatment. Relapses could be highly demotivating and could create feelings of shame and guilt for the struggling person. However, relapse is not the obliteration of progress. If treatment is a journey, relapse is an obstacle to cross rather than a return to the starting line. 

Dust yourself off, and keep trying.

The road to recovery can be rough. It’s possible that we may find ourselves stuck in the middle of nowhere, uncertain how to move forward. Luckily, let’s discover these simple strategies to be our northern star whenever we feel unguided:

• Avoid triggers: In many cases, certain social circles, activities, objects or even emotions can prime the body to anticipate substance use or the addictive behavior, intensifying one’s cravings and making it difficult to remain sober. In order to create a prevention shield, one must be aware of the triggers that might increase the chances of engaging in a potentially addictive behavior or use, and curate a personalized plan to avoid or cope with these situations effectively. This plan could include a list of these triggers, coping mechanisms, such as breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques, as well as a list of people that can be called for support. 

• Surround yourself with support: The journey to navigate addiction can be an overwhelming one that requires energy, courage and perseverance. Building a supportive community, one that reinforces personal boundaries and empathy, can provide encouragement, accountability and assistance. 

• Practice self-forgiveness: Individuals suffering from addiction may often find themselves in a pool of shame, guilt and self-destructive behavior. These intense feelings reinforce the sense of helplessness and mitigate the efficiency of treatment. On the other hand, self-forgiveness is a weapon against such distress, as it reminds us of our inherent value as human beings despite our mistakes or setbacks. Having compassion towards the self creates a space for accepting imperfections, making amends, and consequently, for personal growth and positive change. 

• Follow up with professional help when needed: Addiction is a disorder the same way a flu is a virus. In many cases, recovering or navigating addiction requires medical and therapeutic intervention in order to ensure a safe and effective treatment for an individual. By seeking therapy, individuals suffering from addiction are able to learn coping mechanisms, challenge distorted thinking and build resilience against the triggers of addiction to avoid relapse. 

Facing the challenge ahead!

Addiction is a formidable opponent, but it’s not insurmountable. It’s a battle between the conscious desire to change and the powerful grip of addiction on the mind and body. By approaching conversations with empathy, understanding, and respect, we can create a supportive environment that encourages individuals to seek help and embark on the journey to recovery.

Let’s view relapse as a temporary setback rather than a failure, offering compassion and guidance to help individuals get back on track. Together, with patience, empathy, and perseverance, we can navigate the complexities of addiction and foster healing and recovery.