By Melissa Thompson

There is nothing wrong with collecting items we love. Some people love perfumes, even empty perfume bottles, so they make collections. Also, there is nothing wrong with an occasional glass of wine or beer. Our ability to moderate our behavior is the foundation for our good physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. However, for some people, such moderate behaviors morph into dangerous addiction and abuse. Hoarding and substance abuse individually affect both the person struggling with these issues and their families. And sometimes, they can co-exist, demanding simultaneous treatment. These two conditions share some characteristics but have unique ways of damaging the user's life.

What is hoarding?

Do you know anyone with a very distinctive inability to throw away anything? Anyone who has loads of clothes for when they finally manage to lose that excess weight? Or maybe a person who absolutely loves Disney princesses and has made them a prevailing theme throughout their home? How about someone who has piles of canned goods they will likely never consume? Most extremely, have you ever met anyone incapable of throwing out everyday rubbish? 

Hoarding does not mean having extensive collections of something. It is a mental illness with compulsive collecting, saving, and buying things like the predominant symptom. Often, these items have no value, neither monetary nor emotional. Still, every attempt at getting rid of these items causes great anxiety and distress. And, interestingly, hoarding and substance abuse have some shared traits. One of them is that, sometimes, the word addiction is used to describe both. And they both need treatment that begins with an individual’s resolution to start their journey to recovery. 

What do individuals with hoarding tendencies usually collect?

The items that people typically collect vary, but often, they include:

• Clothes
• Magazines and newspapers
• Broken devices
• Items of sentimental value (letters, receipts, etc.)
• Pets even

Getting and holding onto these possessions is deeply satisfying to the person with hoarding issues. Also, as mentioned, the very thought of getting rid of them is deeply troubling. So, as a way of alleviating anxiety, an individual continues to gather items, often in quantities so large that they hugely surpass the needs of normal survival. 

What constitutes substance abuse?

Substance abuse happens before we can speak of addiction. For instance, if a person is prescribed pain medication and begins shortening the period between doses, we can say that they are abusing the prescription. The same happens when a person decides to get their pain medication from a family member, friend, or a dealer rather than a pharmacy. It's abuse, even if they genuinely suffer from pain. Finally, using prescription drugs for recreational purposes is also substance abuse. 

Similarities between hoarding and substance abuse

There is often a reason for substance abuse, and it's usually connected to other mental illnesses, such as depression. Also, there is the inability to cope with stress and deal with it in a healthy way. So, if a person is overwhelmed by things out of their control, they may resort to drugs to avoid disturbing feelings. They may also use mind-altering substances to calm their anxieties. Similarly, hoarding may be a response to the inability to deal with genuine issues in a person's life. Hoarding sometimes begins after a traumatic event. Also, it can happen after a stroke or a brain injury. It is also possible that there are differences in brain functions when making decisions between individuals who are or could potentially begin struggling with hoarding. In general, both hoarding and substance abuse are common in people who need help. 

Finally, it is crucial to mention that there is a genetic component in both of these issues. Compulsive behaviors and irrational fears are similar to OCD. Obsessive-compulsive disorders often run in the family. And it's similar in the case of addiction. Alcoholism and addictive behaviors of people who engage in substance abuse share the same genetic predisposition. Of course, people differ in terms of personality traits and how resilient they are. However, it's imperative not to disregard the genetic predispositions as they play a significant role in both of these conditions. 

Differences between hoarding and substance abuse

The motivation behind hoarding and substance abuse is not exactly the same. Addiction settles in after repeated satisfying of a desire and need for intense pleasure. So, a person struggling with addiction engages in such repetitive behavior seeking fulfillment. On the other hand, hoarding is a way to alleviate anxiety. Thus, it's closer to obsessive-compulsive disorder. The behavior is aimed at easing distress caused by irrational thoughts and feelings. 

Although there is this significant difference, hoarding is often described as an addiction. And in a way, it is an addiction. It is compulsive and uncontrollable behavior. Also, the person trying to recover seems unable to do so despite significant efforts. In this respect, hoarding and substance abuse do seem to be quite similar. 

Treatment for substance abuse

There are many treatment options for substance abuse. Depending on the substance and the case, a lifestyle change and counseling will sometimes make a huge difference. Of course, abstinence plays a critical role in addiction treatment. Sometimes, hospitalization will be necessary. So, rehabilitation can happen at a clinic or home with the help of a family.

Also, in some cases, it may be necessary to move to a new home, to a different state, city, or even country, away from potential triggers. In many cases, recovering individuals decide to relocate to another state closer to family, which is necessary if they can't establish a solid support system. Also, moving away from an old life can be a sign of a new beginning. 

Treatment for hoarding

Many people who suffer from a hoarding disorder hear these unsettling words from friends and family trying to be supportive: Just throw everything away, and you will be fine. Although well-intended, such suggestions are profoundly distressing and can cause tremendous fear and panic.

Therefore, compulsive hoarding requires help from a therapist versed in treating this disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one option. It teaches individuals to perceive their lives, the world around them, and their positing in the world more healthily. This type of therapy is based on the belief that all behaviors are learned. As such, it teaches individuals to:

• Cope with stress better 
• Make better decisions (including what items to keep and what to throw away, what is trash, and what is useful)
• Manage their homes, if possible, in the place where hoarding has taken place
• Have healthy family relations via family counseling sessions
• Recognize hoarding behaviors and ask for more intensive help. 

In addition to such treatment, therapists may decide to include medication. However, there is no sufficient evidence that they give truly effective results. Of course, every person is different, and each case is independent.

Sometimes, substance abuse and a hoarding disorder co-exist. In that case, it's necessary to treat both conditions simultaneously, and CBT may also be a viable option. The use of medications is ill-advised, especially if that particular drug is not allowed in the addiction recovery program.

Final words

Hoarding and substance abuse may lead to social isolation, relationship issues, financial issues, poor work or school performance, and eating disorders. It is critical to understand that addictive behaviors are a desperate cry for help. These behaviors are a crutch, deceiving a person into thinking that they are managing to go through life. In reality, they are hurting deeply and battling emotional wounds and traumas. At Live Rite, we strive to provide that help or assistance in getting recovering individuals onto the right path.

By Melissa Thompson