Throughout the entire addiction industry, there is a widespread belief that addiction and alcoholism are diseases in and of themselves, isolated from outside or more complicating causes. This belief results in the treatment of the effects of addiction and alcoholism rather than in the treatment of their root causes.
At Brookhaven Retreat we believe that addiction and substance abuse are not diseases in themselves but are often symptoms of a larger illness. In order to stop the feelings of emptiness and worthlessness, some women turn to addictive activities to make the pain go away. Addictive behaviors may include shopping, working, gambling, alcohol abuse, prescription drugs, recreational drugs, chat rooms, video games, eating or sexual activity.