Hemophilia and Addiction

Addictive behavior is a form of self-medication, used to mask either emotional or physical pain, and it affects people who suffer from hemophilia as well as countless others who don’t, says California psychotherapist Tina B. Tessina, PhD.

“Whether you’re addicted to drugs, or to the adrenaline rush of gambling, online games, sex, shopping, eating, or whatever,” she says, “the effect is to temporarily distract yourself from the pain. However, the distraction is only temporary, and the guilt from the behavior adds to the pain, creating an ever-worsening spiral.”

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, knows all too well how chronic illness—in his case, the pain of fibromyalgia—can wreak havoc on your life. Once a medical school dropout because of his painful illness, Teitelbaum was eventually able to overcome his condition, receive his degree, and go on to have a thriving medical practice and to author such books as From Fatigued to Fantastic; Pain Free 1-2-3—A Proven Program for Eliminating Chronic Pain and Beat Sugar Addiction Now.

Among the more common addictions of chronic illness sufferers are alcohol and drugs (which includes prescription medications). “When a chronic illness becomes disabling or painful, it does increase the risk of substance abuse,” says Teitelbaum, explaining that this can take the form of narcotics use for pain management or self-treatment for emotional pain.

“While you may actually need some of the medications you are taking (much as a person with diabetes needs insulin),” says Teitelbaum, “look at whether the substances you are using are adversely impacting your life and whether you feel better or worse when you’re not taking them.

“If the medication makes you feel worse overall, then that is an argument for weaning yourself off the substance,” advises Teitelbaum. As a hemophilia patient, you should consult with your doctor first if you are considering stopping any medications he has prescribed; some drugs need to be tapered off, not stopped “cold turkey”.

The pain and disability associated with most chronic illnesses, including hemophilia, are very treatable, says Teitelbaum. But he adds, “It’s important, however, to find a physician who is experienced in treating such symptoms as pain and fatigue, and who will know how to prescribe medications or offer alternative treatments that won’t lead to an addiction.” If you are suffering from joint pain that is not being effectively managed, you should look for a physician specializing in pain management and rehabilitation.

Substance abuse is not the only kind of addiction out there. Being unable to pull yourself away from the Internet, for example, qualifies as an addiction as well. If you’re constantly in pain or the fear of a bleed limits your physical activity, you may be more inclined to isolate yourself in front of your computer where you feel safe and don’t have to explain yourself to online friends you are likely never to meet in person.

One of the problems with an addiction is that the person addicted often doesn’t recognize it. Could you have an addiction? Here are a few questions that may help you find out:

1. What is your tolerance to the drug or activity in question? Do you need increasingly more to feel the same effects?
2. Are you psychologically dependent on the substance or activity? Do you crave it (and how much and often)?
3. Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop (whether physical or emotional—such as “the shakes,” or anxiety or depression)?
4. Have you tried to control your use or your behavior but with little or no success?
5. Do you spend a great deal of your time on the use or the behavior?
6. Is your substance use or your behavior damaging your relationships with others or causing problems at school or at work?
7. Are you increasing your use or your behavior even though you don’t want to?
8. Are you continuing to use or continuing your activity even though you realize the consequences?
9. Are you engaging in additional high-risk behavior? Has drinking or doing drugs, for example, led you into risky sexual encounters?

Some addictions start when something troubling is happening and the person doesn’t know how to deal with it. There may be nothing wrong with a beer with your pals if you tanked an exam, for example, but if you continue to be angry and/or depressed about that, or anything else in your life—whether it’s your hemophilia, a break-up with a partner, trouble with your parents, or in school—it’s a better idea to grieve and feel the anger, not just try to sweep it away, Teitelbaum advises.

“Be honest about your feelings, and really feel them,” he says. “It’s not only OK, but necessary to experience all feelings—sad as well as happy. “But after a while, if you find you can’t move on, or you start turning to negative behaviors to deal with those feelings, then it’s time for help.”

If you think you have a problem with any kind of addiction, emotional support from a qualified mental health professional who is experienced in addictions counseling can be very helpful, as can support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

While addictions can cause serious problems in your life, they are treatable. Once you confront the issue and seek help, you can overcome the addiction and build a satisfying, productive life.