One of the side effects of being heavily under the influence is impaired judgment. This makes it easier to abandon responsibilities and focus on feeling good in the present moment instead of making decisions that will have a positive impact on your future. As people become more and more dependent on chemicals to produce feelings that mimic happiness, their relationships, responsibilities, and hope for the future disintegrate. Unfortunately, staying numb is not a permanent solution to life’s struggles. Personalized addiction treatment at a drug or alcohol rehab center often includes therapy and counseling, so you can examine the causes of bad decision-making and chart a course to a brighter future.
Chemical Rewards & Outward Dysfunction
One reason that people make bad decisions under the influence is that addictive chemicals change the brain’s reward sensitivity. This means that you are finding ways to seek pleasure as well as exciting and new experiences. Because you love the feeling of being rewarded, you are willing to ignore the dangerous risks of getting high. A second reason is that addiction causes you to lose your self-control. The idea of having long-term goals does not interest someone who is struggling with addiction because they aren’t deriving happiness from the things that used to bring them joy. Recovery isn’t easy, but the rewards are limitless.
A person with a harmful chemical dependency feels that their ability to function is dependent on acquiring the drugs that are harming their life, relationships, and health. They will regret their decisions later but not enough to stop the behavior. Another concern is when situational cues come into play. For example, the sight and smell of alcohol could make you tempted to drink when you feel there is no escape—a disconnect forms between what they want and what is best for them in the long term.
Unhealed Trauma Encourages Addictive Behavior
We know that extreme stress and traumatic situations affect our thinking for years, sometimes decades. Being unable to process traumatic experiences causes emotion dysregulation, feelings of worthlessness, and the desire to escape reality. Drugs offer users an escape from reality that they feel they cannot get anywhere else. Again, users are not able to identify or perceive the harmful long-term effects that this escape can bring them. Instead, they may try to convince themselves that they are able to control their drinking and drug use or that they will cut back. Bad decision-making can cause you to make a mistake that you may not be able to fix. By accepting that you have an addiction that you are not in control over, you can make the best decision by going to a treatment center that offers the following programs:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- 12-step informed programs
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, now is the time to reach out for help. At The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals who understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all. At The Arbor, you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. Our Texas rehab is the ideal location for growth and healing.
Join The Arbor at our Luxury Rehab Ranch in Georgetown, Texas
If trying to get sober on your own has left you feeling broken and defeated, don’t waste another minute holding onto an ideology that keeps leading you down the wrong path. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit so you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us today at 844.413.2690 to learn about our life-changing addiction treatment programs.