Is Substance Abuse Keeping You From Your Goals?

Substance addiction is a disease that forces your brain to seek pleasure from something that does your body an incredible amount of harm and has absolutely no upside, save the fleeting feeling of euphoria that soon becomes weaker and weaker as your body begins to crave more and more of said substance. Those that abuse substances often exhibit a range of additional behaviors that prevent them from excelling socially, cognitively, or in the workplace. One such behavior is the feeling that in order to function properly, the drug must be used regularly, which can include daily, several times a day, or, in more severe cases, a few times an hour. This can prevent an individual from completing routine workplace tasks on a deadline, or involving themselves in activities that require more than a few hours of commitment. Obviously, this limits involvement with family members and friends as well. Another behavior often exhibited by those that suffer from substance abuse is an intense craving for said substance, even to the point where danger or consequences are unimportant factors to consider. This mind warping prevents those that suffer from substance abuse from prioritizing accurately, and, worse still, may even cause them to remove key priorities from their lives in exchange for substances and things that will fulfill their cravings. These significant changes in priorities handcuff the abuser, and really prevent them from enjoying other healthy, stimulating activities. Additionally, the user’s choice of priorities can cause them to become isolated from family, friends, and associates, contributing, among other things, to chronic depression, unhappiness, and a host of additional mental issues. Substance abuse is also linked to an increased rate of criminal activity as, in many cases, the price of a substance is simply not a deterrent for an individual that unequivocally feels like they need the substance to survive. Thievery from family and friends seems to be an action that substance abusers turn to relatively quickly, as it presents a comparatively safer option than stealing from a stranger. This, no doubt, can form a huge rift between the abuser and loved ones, and in some cases, can take years to repair. Aside from the breach of trust in an action like this, family members and friends can become fearful for their own safety and even deny you access to their home or friends. The bottom line is that the symptoms associated with substance abuse are all directly opposed to your success as an individual. If you are wondering whether help is right for you, it most definitely is!