What is the emotional impact of alcohol or drug addiction?
Addictive drugs produce one feeling, but as the nervous system adapts to the drug, coming off the drug produces the opposite feeling. The emotional centers of the brain then become dependent upon the drug to keep oneself “emotionally” in balance. Psychologically, one of the major functions of a drug is to chemically say “shut up” to a part of self. When this is repeated over and over again it becomes automatic. The part of self that is told to “shut up” is shamed and not respected which leads to anger and isolation. This compounds the emotional impact of addiction. In addition, people do and say things under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or fail to do things which results in serious losses, shame and guilt.
