The Disease of Addiction - Is it possible to prevent drug addiction?
The Disease of Addiction
There are many programmes in place attempting to prevent drug addiction. Despite these measures, people still become addicted. It is true that prevention programmes involving family, educational institutions, communities and the press have some effect on the rate of drug addiction, but complete prevention is impossible.
The disease of addiction
Drug addiction is a disease that is incurable and progressive. It is the first drink or drug that triggers the need to continue using. A common saying in 12 Step recovery groups is "one is too many and a thousand is never enough." The illness is caused by a number of factors. Some believe the disease to be present from birth or assimilated during childhood due to external factors. Addicts usually recall engaging in non-drug-related but addictive behaviours since childhood.
A hypothetical example:
The progressive nature of the disease is incredibly relevant in analysing whether drug addiction is preventable. For example, if two individuals smoke marijuana for the first time, and if one of these individuals has the disease of addiction, their reactions will differ slightly.
Whilst the person without the disease can control their drug use with little effort, the person with the disease can begin to lose control over their consumption over time. Soon, they will begin experimenting with heavier drugs that they had promised themselves they would never use. The progressive disease causes them to embark on a continual quest to satisfy their need for a greater high, worsened by the increased tolerance caused by chronic drug use. When the disease reaches a critical stage, interventions are often sought by family and friends to intercept the progression and admit the addict into a drug treatment centre.
The stage of a person's life that is most likely to affect whether they become a drug addict is, most significantly, their childhood. If the disease of addiction is not preventable, then drug addiction is barely preventable. The problem already exists before a person experiments with drugs for the first time.
It should be noted that many drugs are believed not to be physically addictive, such as cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy. Yet people with the disease of addiction will become addicted to these as they are mood and mind-altering substances.
If you need more information about drug addiction treatment, contact Oasis today to speak to one of our qualified addictions counsellors.
