Three C’s of Addiction

What Are The 3 C’s of Addiction?

The three C’s model of addiction is almost like a tool kit that you can use to understand your loved ones and connect with them. It can guide you in strengthening your relationship with that person, making it easier to introduce them to addiction treatment.

The three C’s of addiction are:

• “I didn’t cause it”
• “I can’t cure it”
• “I can’t control it”

What Do the Three C’s of Addiction Stand For?

“I Didn’t Cause It”

As an addict’s loved one, it’s important to understand and accept that you didn’t cause their addiction. Your loved one’s substance abuse disorder may have resulted from a variety of factors ranging from hanging out with influential friends to mental illness. Regardless of the cause, an addiction is

emotionally painful. Admitting their addiction, let alone learning how to manage it, can take an emotional toll. In their hurting, the person may lash out at you or blame you for their disorder. As a loved one, you may have to cope with damage to reputation, prospects, social life, and basic daily functioning caused by the person’s drug or alcohol problem. However, in helping an addict get the help they need and recover, you have to first acknowledge that you were not the cause of their addiction. Once you do, you can then move on to the second “C” in the three C’s of addiction.

“I Can’t Cure It”

Addiction is both a physical and psychological problem. Dependence on a drug or alcohol causes mental and physical changes that make it difficult for the person to quit and stay sober. Addiction is a chronic disease. There is no quick fix or “one-size-fits-all” solution to this condition. Sobriety is an ongoing process that all addicts have to strive to maintain. When helping an addict, you must also acknowledge that you can’t cure their addiction. This doesn’t mean that you can’t assist the individual in their recovery. However, behavior and thought patterns associated with alcohol or drug dependence can be difficult to break out of without professional treatment. By acknowledging that you can’t cure your loved one’s substance abuse disorder, you can give yourself the peace of mind necessary to help the individual. 

“I Can’t Control It”

You cannot control an addict’s behavior. No matter who they are or how close you are to them, you cannot control their behavior. It’s also important to remember that if they don’t heed your advice or continue to engage in substance abuse despite your correction, it doesn’t mean they don’t love you. Attempting to control an addict’s behavior can also result in codependency, which can have the opposite effect that was intended. Drugs and alcohol can weigh heavily on the mind and change the chemical structure of the brain. Once an individual is fully dependent on a substance, any other priority that doesn’t involve their substance of choice gets pushed to the back burner. A person’s drug or alcohol abuse may also be supported by certain people, places, and things. You can help an addict by accepting that you can’t control their behavior and by leading them away from these negative influences.