Drug addiction is a disease

By Rev. Ned Wicker, Substance Abuse-Support. org Assuming that addiction is a disease seemed trivial at the surface, but people look at the drug differently than they perceive heart disease or cancer, or a cold. There is always blame attached to addiction. There is always an accusing finger is pointed at those who suffer from the disease of addiction. Many in society say the drug is entirely to blame. There is not the same kind of sympathy for addicts there for smokers who have cancer or people with diabetes and heart disease. They are not regarded as persons suffering from illness. The reasoning of the company are not sympathetic with the addict is simple. People are hooked because they chose to take the medicine first. John Q. public sees it that way and he can take the high moral, because it did not take drugs and someone else made. Maybe John Q. taken drugs, but do not cling. Those seeking a thrill can try street drugs such as crack, methamphetamine or heroin because of the rush, “the” high “they produce and chronic users are those who have developed a need well beyond simply wanting a sensation. Prescription drugs are abused, such as OxyContin, are coveted because the effect is intense and even more that they get heroin on the street. Even if they do not want a thrill, people can still become addicted to prescription drugs only because they take more than the prescribed amount you feel better. In both cases, nobody asked their lives to be ruined. It may start innocently enough, but people get out of control. What began as a lark ends like an albatross around the neck. In front of him and the user can not get rid of him. Regardless of how the disease was declared, the person is no longer in control of it and can not free themselves of the power of the disease. People may drink a few beers, or enjoy a couple of trips to the buffet table, but sooner or later their body says it is time to stop. With the addict, that “thing” that says that is not stopping there. They do not get enough and will continue long after that another person is arrested. It is the inability to stop causing so much pain and suffering. Whatever the drug of choice, intervention and treatment are necessary for the addict to return to a healthy lifestyle. The problem for the addict is that society has attached a stigma of the disease. The bad guys are drug addicts. Weak people are addicts. Undesirable persons are addicts. No, people become addicts; good people, nice people. The well-educated, blue collar, rich, poor, all colors and types are all potential addicts. All can contract the disease. Nobody is exempt.

Tagged as: Addiction, disease, Drug