ADDICTIONS!!!

Dear diary,

 

It's page 11 of our 365 paged best seller,  2014. Happy new year!!! How has the book been so far? Any intriguing moments? Don't worry we still have a long way to go. The holidays are over and now it's time to work. The road traffic is back people, brace yourselves.

 

Going about my normal daily routines, I observe a lot of things (call me the observer if you like). A lot of issues are rampant in our environment but people shy away from talking about them in the open e.g addictions.

According to Merriam-Webster, a strong and harmful need to regularly have something or do something, is termed Addiction. As human beings, there's an unending craving for all sorts ranging from food, money, alcohol, drugs, smoking, sex et the likes but it's normal. It becomes an addiction when this craving is characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal. It may be a habit, drug or substance.

 

Take for instance the most common thing associated with addiction: hard drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana.Initially, it gives some sort of 'satisfaction' to the user but in the long run, the side effects are disadvantageous. It gives a certain boost to the user's ego and the person walks about proud and able to talk to anyone, anyhow. With time and use, the person becomes the opposite of what he/she used to be. They lose weight and are always looking tired because of loss of appetite and sleep deprivation which are the side effects of these drugs. They start demanding for money, giving all sorts of excuses. They become secretive and solitary. Let's not forget the effect this user's 'transformation'would have on the family. A family that has never experienced such before will treat the user as an outcast or curse on the family.

 

People use drugs for a lot of reasons, to each one his own. Some get into this quagmire beacause of pressure from friends or even curiousity. Others because of low self esteemand insecurity.

 

In controlling this addiction, a lot of sacrifices have to be made. Such a person needs rehabilitation, change of environment, counselling and family support. Yes, there would be withdrawal symptoms so be prepared for that. You can't stop the person from taking the drugs at once, this could turn the person into a psychiatric patient. You start the recovery process by reducing the amount/ quantity of drug, the user is exposed to and watch the response. Gradually, tolerance of the drug can be regulated and with time the user would overcome it. There's an 85 percent chance that the user will recede to the vomit, that's when change of environment and family support will be useful. Cut yourself from fellow users and stay away from places where these drugs are sold.

 

It may take months, it may take years but with courage, dedication et consistency, recovery will be successful. In this part of the world, drug addiction is seen as an abominationand this is totally wrong. The earlier we come to terms with it and gain knowlege about it, the better for us.

 

Like I said at the beginning, there are different forms of addiction and getting out of them isn't easy. The first part of solving a problem is to understand that there is a problem. First admit that you are an addict and help will come your way.

 

I'm addicted to my diary is that a bad thing? I don't think so :).

 

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Any experience on this topic? Pls share in the comment box.