Is Discipline Enough?
Is Discipline Enough?
You may have heard a pretty common debate over whether discipline is enough to overcome addiction or not. For instance, some say they found running, boxing, music, or other activities prevented them from going down a path of addiction.
On the other hand, you also may have heard others that say that, no matter what they would have chosen, it would have led to addiction.
The question is, is this the case? Is discipline enough or not?
Below are some considerations and what you can do if you find willpower alone isn’t enough to stop your target behavior or behaviors.
Binary Thinking
On a recent podcast, the host and guest debated whether discipline could stop the manifestation or progression of a substance use disorder, or whether it is an inevitability. The answer, it turns out, is somewhere in between.
Jonathan Adelstein, MD, of Front Door Health was quoted as saying:
“…I think it can be framed like, is discipline enough? Sure, sometimes. Depending on the severity. [Discipline] is one of many tools folks can employ in this fight that may or may not be sufficient, but if it isn’t, that doesn’t mean you’re somehow less than. It just goes to show what a sticky, complicated, confusing illness [substance use disorder] is, and that [it] ranges tremendously in severity.
He went on to say:
“Lifestyle changes are sometimes enough to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, other chronic illnesses. But sometimes they aren’t. That doesn’t excuse personal responsibility but also highlights that these illnesses are variable and occur in the context of all our other human frailties.”
Do I Need Help?
If you’ve tried to stop behaviors such as drinking, drug use, gambling, or anything else that is causing issues in your life and you find that a disciplined lifestyle isn’t enough, you may want to consider seeking help. With that said, if you haven’t tried a more disciplined approach and swapping out problematic behaviors for positive ones, this may be an avenue you want to consider.
Where Can I Get Help if Discipline Isn’t Enough?
Willpower isn’t always enough, and that’s okay. Substance use and behavioral health disorders run on a spectrum, and they can be more severe for some than others. If you need additional support to get your life back on track and stop a behavior that is causing major consequences in your life, Front Door Health is here to help.
Front Door Health provides in-home treatment for patients when they need it. We take an evidence-based approach to treatment, and we create custom treatment plans for our patients to increase their chances of success. Our treatment process is client-focused and individualized. This means no group sessions with strangers and no “treatment as usual” approach. You are unique and the treatment plan we create for you is designed to meet you where you are along your journey and help you to reach your recovery goals.
We understand that it can be difficult to put your life on hold and take time off from parenting, work, or school. Our in-home treatment allows patients to continue to meet their school, family, pet, and other obligations while receiving the treatment they deserve.
If you would like to learn more about in-home treatment, contact Front Door Health today. We’re happy to answer any questions and provide you with the help you need.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
