Addiction: superwoman’s kryptonite The superwoman complex can be harmful to women who have never had an addiction, and it can be even more devastating to her sense of self once she begins to use. These women did not just fail themselves, but their children, parents and mate. They often feel as if they have compromised the future of the entire universe and they believe they could never be forgiven. Women often develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. They become depressed, distressed, numb, they have flashbacks, recurrent nightmares and panic attacks, as well as feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Addiction affects the brain’s reward circuit, otherwise known as the limbic system. This area of the brain responds to pleasing stimuli by releasing the neurotransmitter, dopamine, which creates feelings of pleasure.
Most drugs of abuse directly or indirectly target the brain’s reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine neurotransmitters present in regions of the brain and regulate systems that control movement, emotion, motivation and feelings of pleasure. When a person takes an addictive substance, the limbic system releases chemicals that make the user feel good, and once someone develops an addiction, their brain is rewired to use drugs, despite the consequences.
Hope prevails The overwhelming need to use a substance, regardless of the harm it may cause, is due to the changes which have occurred in the brain’s reward system. The number one priority in an addict’s life becomes the addictive substance. When you couple the superwoman complex with an addiction, what you get is a very difficult time trying to arrest the disease. UMADAOP of Cincinnati is fortunate to have skilled staff and supportive sponsors to help address this overwhelming and paralyzing illness.There is hope for the hopeless and UMADAOP of Cincinnati welcomes everyone.
“I am a highly successful woman and I felt guilty for being an addict because I didn’t have an excuse for my addiction.” -UMADAOP of Cincinnati client
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