Professional diagnosis

A professional diagnosis can be useful and informative, but recovery from addiction can equally be done without one.

Without subsequent active involvement by the individual, a diagnosis alone is unlikely to bring about change, although it may steer them toward the right direction.

Addiction is not a disease that can be treated with medicine. In Grasshopper Philosophy, we firmly advocate for the cautious use of any medication that aims to alleviate the mind's symptoms, unless it directly addresses an essential intervention in regulating brain chemicals.

"Caution with medication is necessary to enable a natural and organic assessment of the severity of symptoms and problems, and subsequently, to appropriately address them through the right means."

While numerous assessment tests and questionnaires exist for trained professionals to identify addiction problems, psychiatrists, therapists, psychologists, and other experts often have to interpret details and provide an assessment based on their own experience.

Furthermore, those in need of recovery usually experience some degree of denial. This denial arises from the natural protective mechanisms of the mind and body, which safeguard the current self-regulation in the short term. Grasshopper Recovery hypothesizes that this denial is strongly correlated with the evolution of our brains, both as humans and as individuals.

Even though a professional diagnosis can be helpful and indicative, most individuals with addiction problems will not embrace a lifestyle change or quit their addictions until they recognize their own need for help.

"Grasshopper Philosophy emphasizes the significance of self-diagnosis of addiction problems; simply put an individual's own recognition of their need for help."