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 urge of their addiction. Scientifically speaking, addiction is the form of being abnormally dependent on some routine especially compulsive dependency on substances.
All over the world, addiction has been such a widespread. It would seem unworkable to think that a country exists wherein no cases of drug addiction has happened. Drug addiction is a very crucial problem in our society today. The destruction it has brought has been tremendous especially on the younger population. Nevertheless, drug dependency could happen to various people, 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 usually starts with taking prescription drugs without prescription. Different kinds of pain relievers have been the cause of drug addiction among many people. People use these drugs because they make them eliminate 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 state wherein the person is noticeably dependent on alcohol and this dependency is in a way destroying his health, social functioning, and family life. One sip per week can start the addiction as similar to people who gets addicted with drugs. Then it becomes an everyday dosage until alcohol is taken as if it is water. Alcoholism may seem less severe than drug addiction but it is not. The effects are as harmful as with drug addicts. Drug addiction may lead to hazardous behaviors such as crimes or jumping over a tall building as if the person could fly. It can also always leads to violence. An alcoholic father is more likely to beat 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 topic of having to control one’s cravings. People who have addictions are not able to control and control is a product of 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 appropriately 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 to blame 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 disregard, 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 getting out of 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.
