Addiction (Alcoholism)

If you have an addiction, you're not alone. According to the charity Action on Addiction, 1 in 3 people are addicted to something.  Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you. It possible to be addicted to just about anything, alcohol, drugs, gambling, but including work, internet, solvent and shopping. 

 There are lots of reasons why addictions begin. In the case of drugs, alcohol and nicotine, these substances affect the way you feel, both physically and mentally. These feelings can be enjoyable and create a powerful urge to use the substances again. Gambling may result in a similar mental "high" after a win, followed by a strong urge to try again and recreate that feeling. This can develop into a habit that becomes very hard to stop.

A person who is balanced in body, mind and spirit does not need the comfort, help or stimulus of drugs or alcohol. However, this balance is difficult to achieve in our modern world where we are driven by comparison and competition.  So much of our lives focuses on the physical and material at the expense of the spiritual – the divine within each one of us – and with that we are losing our natural and spontaneous expressions of joy, compassion and forgiveness.  

Managing an addiction can seriously damage your work life and family relationships. In the case of substance misuse (for example, drugs and alcohol), an addiction can have serious psychological and physical effects.  Some studies suggest addiction is genetic, but environmental factors, such as being around other people with addictions, are also thought to increase the risk.  An addiction can be a way of blocking out difficult issues. Unemployment and poverty can trigger addiction, along with stress and emotional or professional pressure.

Acupuncture can temporarily correct the imbalance, and support the person whilst the resolve the underlying issues but a permanent cure will depend on the resolution or removal of the stress that caused the problem.