Drug Addiction: Addiction Not Disease
As
a young girl I couldn’t understand why my mother would leave for hours and come
back with glassy eyes. Her appearance would be different, her smell, and her
personality all changed. I remember finding pipes and often actual drugs around
the house. When I became old enough to understand, she made it seem completely
normal. The first lie she told me was that, she used drugs just for fun. Once
it came out that she was an addict, she began using the excuse that, drug
addiction is a disease, she just couldn’t help it.
I
know many people would agree with my mother that, addiction truly is a disease.
I do acknowledge and understand, there is a serious change made to one's brain
chemistry after just one use. I am aware that there is scientific evidence
showing those changes made to not only brain chemistry, but to other parts of
the brain, that worsen that addiction. The natural levels of dopamine begin to
die off and the body relies on drugs for that dopamine. When not received a
person will feel tired, depressed, and often off balanced. I do understand how
this would make it incredibly hard not to continue drug use or even worse,
relapse.
Many
businesses, organizations, healthcare facilities, and healthcare providers
label drug addiction as a disease. The Center on addiction states that, “Addiction involves changes in the
functioning of the brain and body. These changes may be brought on by risky
substance use or may pre-exist.” ( TheCenteronAddiction) The fact that they say
those changes may be due to the substance abuse, but could be pre-existing, is
exactly what many people need to see. Addiction is not a black and white topic
for anyone, anywhere. There are multiple things, including genetics, that can
tie into those abnormalities or changes in brain chemistry. If an individual
was not previously tested for differences and abnormalities, we cannot say with
one hundred percent certainty that drugs were to blame. Maybe in some cases
drugs or substances do cause that change, but not always. Does that give us
hope for some users? Yes, it may be possible that they will not suffer nearly
as much as those with changes made to their brain chemistry.
I believe that quite often, addicts have
mental issues and disorders. For someone struggling with depression and
suicidal thoughts, it would seem okay to use drugs. In such cases, with
individuals that have mental issues, I agree that addiction is almost identical
to a disease. You cannot hold someone who is mentally ill to such a high
standard in which, they should be aware of the dangers of substances such as
drugs. They are not at a place where they can think clearly and make good
decisions. In this one case, I can agree that drug addiction is just like a
disease. For these sick people, seeking so desperately for relief, drugs may
seem like the best option for them. For someone contemplating taking their own
life, using drugs as a medication or quick fix, probably seems like the best
way to stay alive. Substance abuse may seem like the only way to keep living,
and before you know it, the individual has developed an addiction.
Nowhere
in my mind or heart is it fair to compare an addict to a cancer patient, for
example. There are innocent people who are dying from diseases every single
day. There are also addicts claiming that their addiction is a disease, and no
matter how similar addiction is to a disease, they brought it onto themselves
when they decided to use that first time. It is degrading, cruel, and flat out
disrespectful to compare the two, no matter what the situation may be.
When
I think about finding ways to further treat, and ultimately end addiction, my
mind goes many places. Is it a lost cause? Wont addicts and users still be able
to buy these drugs illegally no matter what we do? Well, hopefully we can at
least save a few people. According to The Addiction Treatment Center, addiction
and substance abuse should be treated by professional healthcare providers
only.(TheCenteronAddiction) Although we
may all want to help and think we have ways to help, there are specialist trained
specifically to provide that help. It is very likely that we may have the best
intentions on helping an addict, but often cannot provide the needed support.
Many loved ones begin enabling addicts without even knowing.
If
you know someone battling with addiction, please seek help for them. Be a good
friend and go to NA classes with them, go see a doctor with them, encourage
them to go to rehab, and keep in touch if they do decide to go to rehab. Drug
addiction has killed many people, don’t let your loved ones be next, act now.
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