Drug addiction is a disease that takes over the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of the affected individual. Like all other diseases, prevention is the best cure. Our efforts should be to care for those who are affected with drug addiction today, but we must also place a significant effort in preventing new drug addictions from occurring.
Education that is meaningful to all type of people from all walks of life is necessary as no one is risk-free from drug addiction. We created a video with members of the recovery community who have the familiarity and voice of addiction to best guide us to conveying effective messages towards prevention. The trailer to this video is located to the right. What is Addiction? |
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A Dynamic Disease
Addiction is a disease that affects brain reward, motivation, and memory. Individuals affected by addiction are often emotionally stunted at the “permanent age 15”. Emotional development and growth will resume when in recovery but takes time. Similarly, rational thinking is often compromised in individuals affected by addiction, either when using or when in withdrawal. That being said, belligerent behavior, distrust, and paranoia can be manifestations of drug addiction. It is important to understand that, until a real cure can be implemented, relapse can occur at any time and is often unpredictable.
Addiction is a disease that affects brain reward, motivation, and memory. Individuals affected by addiction are often emotionally stunted at the “permanent age 15”. Emotional development and growth will resume when in recovery but takes time. Similarly, rational thinking is often compromised in individuals affected by addiction, either when using or when in withdrawal. That being said, belligerent behavior, distrust, and paranoia can be manifestations of drug addiction. It is important to understand that, until a real cure can be implemented, relapse can occur at any time and is often unpredictable.
A Public Health Crisis
There has been an alarming increase in opioid overdose deaths in the United States, attributable to both heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Click on the images below to see the full report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There has been an alarming increase in opioid overdose deaths in the United States, attributable to both heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Click on the images below to see the full report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A Social Responsibility
Stigma has been and continues to be one of the greatest impediments to successful management of drug addiction. We as a society must change the way we look at addiction before we can help eradicate it. Unfortunately, addiction has become a common story; typically beginning with alcohol/marijuana and ending with heroin (after cocaine/amphetamines/opioid pills). If alcohol and marijuana are legal, education is of greatest importance.It is imperative that we educate our youth in an effort to prevent drug use and addiction. Lying and stealing are part of addiction. It is often not within an addicted individual’s ability to control. It does not entirely excuse an individual from misbehavior or wrong doing but should be weighed in managing consequences. Our judiciary system has the potential to make a significant contribution to the fight against addiction. |
A Treatable Illness
Recovery is often harder than active drug use, but is possible. Durable recovery requires desire, motivation, support, and a lot of grit. Understanding and developing multiple options for intervention and treatment maximizes the potential for recovery. It is important to keep in mind that what is best for intervention today may be all wrong tomorrow.
While it is true that addicts must desire recovery for successful long-term recovery, individuals can be facilitated to appreciate and desire recovery. That being said, in some cases, limited incarceration or sectioning can be a good thing. For many, structured long-term programs are essential for durable recovery (6 months is a minimum, 24 months is ideal). Additionally, medication assistance can be helpful, depending upon the individual, their perspective, social support, desires, and goals.
Recovery is often harder than active drug use, but is possible. Durable recovery requires desire, motivation, support, and a lot of grit. Understanding and developing multiple options for intervention and treatment maximizes the potential for recovery. It is important to keep in mind that what is best for intervention today may be all wrong tomorrow.
While it is true that addicts must desire recovery for successful long-term recovery, individuals can be facilitated to appreciate and desire recovery. That being said, in some cases, limited incarceration or sectioning can be a good thing. For many, structured long-term programs are essential for durable recovery (6 months is a minimum, 24 months is ideal). Additionally, medication assistance can be helpful, depending upon the individual, their perspective, social support, desires, and goals.