The Very Real Truth About Addiction

I have been around addiction throughout my life. Addiction never quite felt like it was real because you develop an abstract of that person and tend to disregard the signals until it becomes too overbearing to you and the family.

A family member (or friend) could be addicted and you’ll never know it until a major incident; that’s the nature of addiction and, for most people, it’s a demonized act. Addiction is more than that; it doesn’t discriminate based on your color of skin, financial stability, location, and all those factors that make us who we are. Addiction isn’t just a matter of people becoming deadbeats; it can affect anyone.

We are lucky that we live in a progressive society that has awareness of drug addiction.

Our society realizes there are more factors at play than the simplistic one that these people are "degenerates looking for a good time." Over the years, and through the backlash of the War on drugs, we’ve counteracted the strict, strike-out policy of the States through alternative means that work through rehabilitation and understanding, including:

An awakening that the readily supplied prescription drugs, taken by plenty of adults in the States, can be easily abused and their natural makeup tends to lead toward heavy addiction. We are lucky we understand this and can provide prescription drug addiction rehab services since these drugs are so readily available.

A progressive ideal of treating addicts that have done a hard time as actual people and not simply dumping them back into the same environments which promote the reentry of drug use and crime. Rehabilitation for those that go to jail or prison is available to help correct their lifestyle and set them on the right path.

An array of classifications to further understand the spectrum of addiction which, in turn, allows us to further understand mental health. Addiction is not always just about drugs; as we continue to learn the human mind we can find the core issues which compel individuals to act as they do. Psychiatric help has come a long way since lobotomies and electroshock therapy; we are now able to identify the underlying issues and help these individuals that are subject to addiction whether it’s hereditary or brought on through their surroundings.

I am the exact type of person that could be sitting across from you at the desk and never know there are underlying issues. I do have hereditary tendencies toward addiction (alcohol for example); I am the type of person that sometimes scoots very close to the edge. I am no different than the next person.

Addiction can happen to anyone.

There are signs all around us, in plain sight, but are easily dismissed because it’s often difficult to confront a person:

Mood swings

Erratic productivity

Financial troubles

Some are better at hiding it than others. These individuals may totally understand they are addicted and cannot stop. They have become so proficient at the addiction that they can hide it through befriending others with similar issues to where it may not pass off as an oddity (think: bar buddies). Others hide it through manipulating time or emotions to deflect the issues. Some even get out of town and go off on their own where the immediate support (and to them: the nagging) isn’t there to stop their chase for a high.

What we all can do its pay attention to the signs.

They may be your sibling, parent, friend, or causal connection. You may be hesitant about approaching them on the topic. But in the end, you are doing a service to their longevity and well-being. It will create tension but that’s the price to pay if it means they get the help they need.

Addiction is very real.

What say you about the experience you’ve had with close friends or family about addiction and how did you help in their quest for rehabilitation?

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Ridhi Arora is a weight loss success story who enjoys living a healthy lifestyle. including the posts on her own site, My Health Care Tips