How does Addiction start?
No one suddenly embarks upon using substances of abuse and randomly decides that they are going to turn a drug addict. Addiction is a progressive disease that happens over a period of time except the difference is that some substances are highly addictive and take very less time to strike their hand at the disaster. It has been established that substance abuse is a symptom of a deeper disease. A disease of fear, pressure and self- medication. Attitudes of denial and unwillingness to introspect creates a syndrome in users that eventually acts on the brain and manifests as addiction.
Addiction is brain related and happens due to chemical and structural changes in the brain. During addiction, the brains of the users crave reward of the substance. This is because the substance of abuse creates intense stimulation of the addicts’ brain’s reward system that unveils a range of euphoric feelings and strange behavioural traits. The first time they use, they think it doesn’t harm because they are going to try it for once. And that’s how they roll the dice on mortality.
But, drugs work by increasing the amount of dopamine, a chemical allows pleasurable feelings in the brain. So many addicts who notice these effects struggle to find strength to fight this, but it seems to be dwindling. A hopeless outlook takes over, and they start to cave in. After prolonged use, they don’t take drugs to feel the extended pleasure of the initial use anymore, in fact, they take drugs to feel physically stable and normal again. This is addiction.
Youth abuse substances mostly because of:
- Bad parenting
- Being surrounded by people who abuse substances regularly
- Peer pressure
- Trying to be adventurous
- Trying to be cool around friends
- Academic stress
- Inability to perform in the normal senses
- Anxiety disorders
- Other co-existing mental health disorders
- They find it empowering
Addiction is more common among users who start to abuse substance and alcohol early in life. i.e., between 13 and 18 years. Early abuse substances often include tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, and prescription drugs such as sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medicines. If early abuse continues to early adulthood, abusers get typically involved with Ganja and gradually progress to other hard substances.
This is while continuing to use tobacco and alcohol on a regular basis. While stories of youth who wasted their life over a bottle and a bud are a common place, damage control post addiction is essentially an effort in vain. Studies have also shown that abuse of drugs in late childhood and early adolescence is associated with greater drug involvement in future. However, it is vital to note that most youth, do not progress to abusing other drugs.
These trends of increasing substance abuse in youth represent the negligence of every single parent and caretaker right now. When caretakers fail to pay enough attention to children’s behavioural patterns and everyday practices, they fail as adults who are responsible for moulding the current generation into responsible citizens. One thing is for sure that children’s paths and capabilities are non-linear. They need to be taught that “It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to be unable to cope in certain areas. And it’s okay to be ditched in love or feel clueless about being bold or socialising. Small steps to identify one’s own strengths and working on them eventually, definitely help to rise and shine. There is always hope.
The above knowledge and enough elderly support help many children from succumbing to addiction.But do not worry if you or your child is in early stages of addiction and need help. A 30-day detox program including counselling by hands on experts at a rehab facility can work wonders in restoring the magic of life for you. Contact a rehab if need be.
