For many freedom from substance and behavioral abuse and addiction seems hopeless. You feel like your drowning and cannot save yourself from your own self.
Alcohol and drugs are most often used as a coping mechanism and a way to avoid painful feelings. Many clients coping with substance abuse issues are unwilling or do not have the skill set to understand the driving factors for their ongoing use. There are hundreds of reasons why a person might be abusing substances. These are also influences for behavioral addiction.