It is more than simply alcohol now. It is crack, prescription pills, Xctasy, and now even bath salts. Certain folks always feel the need to get high and escape to function and cope with life. They feel the need for them like a fish needing water. Of course a fish cannot survive without water. Unfortunately, many folks cannot survive without these drugs, which ironically can end up killing them. At best, your health, wealth, and body are at risk.
Drug addiction is a disease, an evil one, but one that has a cure. It has affected so many people, young and old, and their families and friends. They see this person they once knew as a violent, depressing shell of themselves. They forget not only small, everyday things and tasks; they forget who they really are. It's truly a tragedy.
My brother's life was ended early as a result of an accidental drug overdose. Drug abuse is near and dear to my heart not only because I have lost my brother, I have seen other family members destroy their lives as well.
Many celebrities have fallen victim to drugs and died at young ages. These include Frankie Lyman, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Chris Farley, John Belushi, Elvis Pressley, Sam Kinison, and Amy Winehouse. Too many people are losing their families, minds and lives for a temporary high.
Healing from a drug addiction is not easy. Rehab can help. There are also counselors, medications to wean one from their drug of choice, and various support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. However, I've found these such programs work best when that person wants them to work. The addict in question must be ready to make that change.
It is very sad to see a person who knows drugs are horrible and deadly, but cannot shake the habit. These people need your support and love.
There are hotlines and websites to help fight these terrors. Two are The Drug Abuse Hotline, 800-234-8334 and The National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center, 800-784-6776.
We need to stay educated, at an early age and on throughout life, about the dangers of certain drugs. D.A.R.E. has been active for years in the schools. Our communities must strive together and fight this disease, the same way we fight cancer and paralysis.
Please don't give up this battle. We have stopped too many things as a people, as a nation. Drug abuse can be controlled and eventually curbed. Use your resources, willpower, and make that stand.
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Great read! I am in recovery myself (11/10/12 will make 3 years!). You're right, recovery only works when you work it. It's a tough road, and it's not just the chemicals. It's also dealing with the "stuff" you didn't want to deal with in the first place. I've found the hardest part about recovery is actually feeling feelings without acting out in self destructive ways. It's a just for today thing and it is for those who want it.
ReplyDeleteI think non-addicts can help by advocating the disease model of addiction. As longs as much of society views addiction as a "moral" issue there is no real way to deal with it. I even saw an ad on television today by a DRUG COMPANY advertising it's "cure" for opiate addiction. It's ridiculous. It's not about a substance, it's about the way our brain works. Period.