Addiction Isn’t a Choice—It’s a Signal

By: Sarah Gabrielle Barajas, M.A, PSB: 94027905

When people hear the word addiction, they often think of poor decisions or lack of self-control. But that misunderstanding keeps people stuck—in shame, silence, and stigma.

The truth is: addiction isn’t about weakness. It’s about pain.

Addiction is what happens when someone finds something—alcohol, drugs, food, sex, social media, work, or even perfectionism—that temporarily soothes what feels unbearable. At first, it might be a way to escape anxiety, numb trauma, or quiet the thoughts that won’t stop. Over time, that coping tool becomes a cycle—something that brings relief and harm.

But at its core, addiction is not about the substance. It’s about the story underneath.

Addiction Is Often Tied to:

● Unprocessed trauma or grief

● Chronic stress or anxiety

● Emotional neglect

● Undiagnosed mental health conditions

● Feeling like you don’t belong anywhere—even in your own body

People don’t become addicted because they’re reckless. They become addicted because

something hurt—and they didn’t have the support, safety, or skills to heal it. That doesn’t excuse harmful behavior—but it does explain it. And it opens the door to real, compassionate change.

What Healing from Addiction Looks Like

Healing isn’t just about “staying sober.” It’s about learning:

● How to sit with discomfort instead of escaping it

● How to feel your feelings without judgment

● How to understand the roots of your coping

● How to rebuild trust—with your body, your mind, and others

● How to ask for help, even when shame says you shouldn’t

And yes—it’s hard. Recovery isn’t a straight line. There are good days, bad days, and days that feel like both. But every step forward, even the smallest one, is worth honoring.

Therapy can be a place where you unlearn shame and relearn safety. Where you’re not

punished for your pain—but supported in working through it. We’re not here to lecture. We’re here to listen. And walk with you, no matter where you are in your journey. If you’re struggling with addiction—or wondering if something in your life has become unmanageable—you’re not alone. And you don’t have to do this alone. 

Visit healingsolutionsftc.org or call 661-903-8822. Healing doesn’t begin with willpower. It begins with compassion.