Struggles of an Addiction
Addiction in a serious disease. Although it might not seem like it, addiction is comparable to fatal diseases such as cancer. Addiction is as much or more dangerous than cancer, which is also a likely end result of addiction. An individual going through an addiction is likely to go to great lengths to pursue their addiction. This can have a negative effect on their physical, mental and financial health and that of their loved ones. In this article we look at the struggles faced by someone addicted to drugs and alcohol and how it can have adverse effects on themselves and their loved ones including their friends and family.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a disease in which an individual cannot stop consuming alcohol or doing drugs even though it is causing them harm. Although an addiction may start off as a relatively harmless activity or experience, it usually ends up snowballing into a full-fledged addiction with persistent, long-term continuation of the activity. Research conducted in the last couple of decades reveals that addiction can make changes to the brain and rewire it. Therefore overcoming an addiction is not just a matter of willpower but it is a major lifestyle change for those in recovery.
Dangers of Addiction
As mentioned earlier, studies in the last couple of decades has shown that addiction has a far greater effect on the body than previously thought. Consumption of Alcohol and Drugs can negatively impact the structure of the brain by destabilising neurotransmitters such as Dopamine and Serotonin in the brain. Some of these neurotransmitters are responsible for the emotion and mood in an individual. Furthermore, consumption of drugs and alcohol is also shown to have negative impact on the frontal cortex that is incharge of an individual’s decision making ability. The cumulative result of these effects are that individual could find it to be an uphill battle while trying to overcome their addiction without the right help.
What are the struggles of someone going through an addiction? Let’s find out below:
Academic Delinquency
Alcohol and Drug use in Young Adults is known to cause Mental Heath Conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, Frequent Headaches, Hangovers, etc.. Alcohol and Drugs use can also lead to issues with memory retention and recall in students and the inability to focus. This can have a direct impact on their academic performance and can lead to them skipping school or dripping out entirely. The lack of higher education and frequent alcohol and drug use can lead to such users growing up to turn to criminal behaviour to fulfil their alcohol/drug habits and their life obligations.
Job or Income Loss
Individuals that are addicted to alcohol or drugs constantly crave alcohol or drugs. They are unlikely to be able to cope with the responsibilities of a job or even family for that matter. Such individuals do not end up remaining employed for a long period of time. They end up disappearing from work for extended periods and are unlikely to fulfil their work commitments. They constantly come up with excuses for not completing their work and in most cases end up getting fired from their job. They end up committing crimes to pay for their expensive alcohol and drug habits.
Incarceration or Jail time
Moderate to Frequent Drug and Alcohol use can lead to users getting arrested and going to jail. Possession or distribution of drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, stealing or assault committed under the influence of alcohol or drug use can lead to individuals facing jail time for their actions. And the frequency of alcohol and drug use can lead to criminal activity at one point of time or the other. The issue in such cases is that individuals that have been incarcerated lack the opportunities to most jobs thereafter due to their criminal record. But their alcohol and drug habits continue unabated leading to them turning to a life of crime to fund their expensive habit.
Adverse effects on Health
Persistent and Long-term Alcohol and Drug abuse has been known to lead to various health issues. Some of the most common and well documented health issues caused by alcohol, tobacco and drugs are listed below:
- Long-term alcohol and drug use can lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, mood swings and other impulsive behaviours.
- Alcohol and drug adversely affect the cardiovascular health of an individual and can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heart beats, stoke or even heart attacks in some cases.
- Alcohol is first processed in the liver. Hence, long-term alcohol use is linked to liver diseases such as the Cirrhosis of the Liver, Fibrosis, Fatty Liver which are all caused by persistent, long-term alcohol use.
- Tobacco and Ganja contains several dangerous chemicals that can be toxic to our lungs upon prolonged use. Difficulties in breathing and persistent coughs are common health issues in long term smokers of Tobacco and Ganja.
- Consumption of Alcohol and Drugs can impact learning and memory retention. Alcohol and Drugs can negatively effects an individual’s impulse control function that can have a cascading effect on their consumption of alcohol and drugs further pushing them into an addiction. Prolonged use is also shown to effect the part of the brain that’s responsible for memory retention (i.e. the hippocampus)
- Alcohol and drug use have been known to lead to a weakened immune system it is also linked to the development of Cancer in the Liver, Throat, Oesophagus, Colon, Rectum, Breast and Testicular Germ Cell Tumours or TGCTs.
How can a Rehab help?
A rehab can be crucial to recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction as they provide the right tools and support while overcoming an addiction. A Licensed Rehab such as Phoenix go a step further and support you during and post your recovery. Let’s look at some of the reasons why Phoenix is the right choice for your recovery from addiction.
