Have you felt wanting to have something so bad that you’re willing to do anything, even sell your soul, just to have that something? That’s how substance dependents experience whenever they are in the push of their addiction. Scientifically speaking, addiction is the condition of being abnormally dependent on some habit especially compulsive dependency on substances.
All over the world, addiction has been such a widespread. It would seem unworkable to believe that a country exists wherein no cases of drug addiction has occurred. Drug addiction is a very crucial problem in our society today. It is destroying the lives of various people, especially the young population. Nevertheless, drug dependency could inflict anyone, to different kinds of people. It will not be surprising if you find out that your very own physician is guilty of drug dependency. Drug addiction always starts somewhere. For some, it might be from taking prescription drugs minus the prescription. Various pain relievers have been culprits of drug addiction among many people. People use these drugs because they make them lessen the pain in turn making them feel euphoric. The “heaven” of the “high” feeling makes it difficult to resist. “Once tasted, always wanted.”, as the saying goes. Likely the way things goes. The body’s system tolerates the drug making the person take in more to feel the euphoria. Then, the body unknowingly becomes dependent on the drug that it can no longer function properly without first taking in some dosage.
Alcoholism or alcohol addiction, on the other hand, is the situation wherein the person is noticeably dependent on alcohol and this dependency is in a way ruining his health, social functioning, and family life. The same with drug addiction, it starts with one sip per week. Then it becomes a daily dosage until alcohol is taken as if it is water. Alcoholism may seem less serious than drug addiction but it is not. The effects are as harmful as with drug addicts. Drug addiction may lead to dangerous behaviors such as crimes or jumping over a tall building as if the person could fly. Alcoholism, similarly, could lead to violence. An alcoholic father is more likely to hit his wife and children to death probably on a daily basis. As long as the person is not sober, an alcoholic is not safe to be with.
Alcohol addiction and drug addiction are considered mental illnesses because they are products of a dysfunctional mind due to the effects of the chemicals and toxins taken in by the body. Addiction is a subject of having to control one’s cravings. People who have addictions are not able to control and control is a created by the mind. It is by mental processes that one can control his feelings and even urges. When one is suffering from addiction, he could not think properly thus he is not able to control his actions and behaviors. That’s why under the influence dads hurt their little kids and that is why the boy who just sniffed 10 grams of pot is on his way to the top of the building to jump off because he thinks he could fly.
The causes of addiction may vary. Studies have found that genes could be in charge of for alcoholism but it is just a possibility. The environment provides the triggering factors that could lead to its incidence. Traumatic experiences especially during childhood such as child avoidance, could greatly contribute to the occurrence of either alcohol or drug addiction. People who have been in severe trauma could most likely use alcohol or drugs as a means of escaping the pain brought about by the unforgettable negative experience.
Drug and alcohol addiction should be given greater attention so as to do more of prevention rather than cure.
