623-748-3337

What Causes Addiction?

If you’re looking for a regular model of addiction treatment, we are not the counselors for you. Check out the video below for a little peek into what we believe causes addiction!

Johann Hari has frequently said, “the opposite of addiction is not sobriety – it’s connection.” Research backs this claim as far back as the Vietnam War. Our current societal model of punishment, shame, and isolation doesn’t work. We are in the midst of an opioid crisis and the War on Drugs has created more problems than it has solved.

Addiction is NOT a moral issue, casting someone out of society and shaming them when they relapse does nothing to solve the problem. In fact, it’s likely to make it worse. We desperately want to connect with something to feel relief from what we view as bad emotions, whether it’s our phones, reddit, video games, heroin, or cocaine. It’s simply human nature. The path out of those unhealthy bonds is to form healthy bonds – to be connected to people you want to be present with. The addiction is just a symptom of a larger picture we must examine.

Check out real-time opioid data from ADHS:

Curious as to what this theory looks like in therapy? Email Kelsi or use our contact form.

About the Author

Kelsi Rather, LAC, NCC is a licensed associate counselor currently working in Glendale, Arizona. She is passionate about highlighting the necessity of mental health care and focuses on helping those within the community.

Feature photo credit: Trey Gibson

healthpsychaz