Different Types & Levels of Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

Though no one is immune to drug or alcohol addictions, there are definitely varying levels of substance abuse severity as I have noticed.

Of course, there’s always that all-important variable; is the person ready and willing to do whatever it takes in order to attain lasting sobriety? If no, then everything I’m talking about is basically moot. What I’m writing about here is under the assumption that the addict is serious about getting sober.

Of all the topics I remember speaking on during therapy groups (in treatment), the one topic I never recall addressing is how some people seem to be average drug addicts while others appear to be exceptionally bad drug addicts. I’m not talking about one being simply an abuser and the other being a bona fide addict. I am referring only to those who have crossed the line that separates drug abuse from drug addiction. What I’m talking about is how one drug addict is able to find relief from the obsession to use, while the other, having done the exact same course of recovery, cannot. No matter what they do they cannot escape that obsession to use.

For the record, my drug of choice is crack-cocaine. I am a “crackhead,” and I’m as bad of one as I’ve ever seen. I’ve been to countless drug treatment centers and more sober livings & halfway houses than I can count, I’ve even moved out of the country in an effort to get away from crack, twice in fact. I’ve tried Scientology, Orthodox Judaism, I’ve even tried this stuff called Ibogaine which is actually not legal in the U.S. It entailed crossing the Mexican border into Tijuana and taking these pills from a Mexican doctor that cause weird hallucinations. Evidently, it’s supposed to revert the brain to a pre-addictive state. I sat there for 3 days hallucinating watching a Sex In the City marathon (I can’t believe Big ditched Carrie on their wedding day). The first thing I did when I got back was call my coke dealer to tell him all about it…

One day I was sharing about all this with a fellow newcomer. I was sitting there feeling sorry for myself and knew it was just a matter of time until the next relapse would come. Suddenly he stopped me and said, “Go be of service, help someone less fortunate. It works every time, guaranteed.” The crazy thing is I knew that all along and it never occurred to me. Nothing else worked, and the one thing I intuitively knew would work just happened to be the one thing that never came to mind.

I wholeheartedly believe that there are varying levels of severity when it comes to drug & alcohol addiction – I would bet my life on it. However, it really is a moot point. Let’s say I’m right, how does that change things? Whether I’m right or wrong nothing really changes. I suppose you could say that those of the more severe variety simply have to apply themselves all the more while in sobriety; though if you are an addict, a true addict that is, anything less than wholehearted dedication to sobriety is pretty much a recipe for relapse.

So what’s the point of all this? So maybe getting sober is more difficult for you than for your buddy who used drugs just as long and just as hard as you did. That’s life. Maybe his parents are dead and yours are still alive. Would you trade spots with him? Maybe his heart incurred much more damage than yours while using and consequently his days are numbered. Would you trade spots with him?

This is life, and it is what it is…

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Progressive Living operates a network of sober living homes and addiction recovery houses throughout Pennsylvania, including; Levittown, Bristol and Morrissville (Bucks County), PA as well as a sober living apartment complex in Ewing, New Jersey — view our locations. Our recovery residences range from medium to higher structure and are available for men and women ages 18 and up that are new in their sobriety from drug or alcohol addiction. Reach us 7 days a week at: (215) 584-0340 or info@progressivelivingrecovery.com.