It seems nowadays we are hard wired to do everything we can to feel good, sometimes developing healthy habits, and sometimes engaging in unhealthy habits, addiction is one of them. Why can’t we just be happy. Sometimes dealing will difficulty can drive us to numb ourselves, just to feel normal. It’s like even if we have everything and our basic needs met, we still take on risks in life with our health and our stability. Is it really worth it to engage in unhealthy patterns of addictions just “to have fun or solve a problem” or deal with pain? [1] Sometimes we can’t help ourselves, and it feels like thats our only option, it’s not, and you’re not alone. We all face triggers for addiction, it’s not just a feeling you can resist. It may take more understanding of the subject of addiction to help ourselves.

It’s almost been a year sober from aderrall, and it’s not been easy, it’s taken 4 months of treatment, and 8 months of sober living to overcome addiction to prescription medication, and a relapse on alcohol. (Ive been sober since 2017 continuously). It’s worth it to get help, no matter how hard it is to stop everything, everything can wait, that job, that relationship, that friendship, I promise you that all will still be there, by the time you recover, just be patient with yourself. It’s better to get help, than spend years in addiction, and do yourself a disservice struggling without being in a structured treatment program. When your life is falling apart, you need structure. 

It’s important to note that “stress, anxiety, trauma, and depression can also result in the development of substance use disorders” and can cause you face new challenges for your mental health. [2] Addiction can also cause problems with focus, memory, and learning, not to mention decision-making and judgement. [3] Addiction is not a sign of weakness, a character flaw, or a moral failure. While there is no one cause of addiction, there is hope—it can be treated effectively. [4] “People who have a harder time pausing between impulse and action are more at risk,” [5] The goal of addiction treatment is to return patients to that healthy balance. [6] While in treatment “you may feel worse” before you get better,” [7] but just stick with it and don’t give up.

[1] https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/08/addiction-science-human-brain-ancient-wiring.html

[2] https://deconstructingstigma.org/guides/addiction

[3] https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/how-an-addicted-brain-works

[4] https://deconstructingstigma.org/guides/addiction

[5] https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/08/addiction-science-human-brain-ancient-wiring.html

[6] https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/08/addiction-science-human-brain-ancient-wiring.html

[7] https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/08/addiction-science-human-brain-ancient-wiring.html