Updated on July 5, 2024
Welcome to a comprehensive exploration of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Recovery. Have you or someone you know been grappling with issues related to alcoholism or drug addiction? Perhaps you’ve witnessed the challenges faced by friends or family members in these situations. Drawing from extensive reading and video research, this article is dedicated to shedding light on these issues. Its purpose is to offer guidance and support, aiming to break the chains of these destructive habits that not only jeopardize the addicted individual’s future but also cast a shadow over the well-being of their loved ones. As you continue reading, you’ll gain valuable insights into the path of recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction.
Please remember this article is for informational purposes only and it’s not intended to replace your own physicians advice. You should consult your Doctor for proper treatment and recovery.
Alcoholism and drug addiction recovery
As you’re well aware, the consumption of alcohol and drugs can significantly disrupt and influence various aspects of life, including family dynamics, social interactions, professional commitments, physical well-being, mental health, emotional equilibrium, and even spiritual connections. The challenge of chemical dependency knows no boundaries, affecting individuals across diverse backgrounds. Its repercussions extend tragically to the family members and friends of those caught in its grip.
In contemporary society, addiction remains a substantial concern spanning from adolescents to adults. While in the past, addiction primarily revolved around issues like alcoholism or smoking, the landscape has evolved considerably in recent times.
But today it changed a lot. Drug addiction, social media addiction, internet addiction, smartphone addiction and the list goes on.
Read Teenage Addictions | How To Deal With Your Children
The path into addiction often begins with personal missteps or external influences, sometimes perpetuated by peers. In today’s context, a concerning trend is the proliferation of this issue within campuses, where individuals are specifically targeting young students. These manipulative efforts are casting a shadow over the potential of our youth, leading them into the clutches of this perilous affliction.
The initial stages of this tragic journey can be deceiving, as innocence blinds children to the impending negative consequences, and what starts as innocent enjoyment quickly transforms into a dangerous habit. The paradox lies in the fact that no one consciously aspires to become ensnared by addiction. Yet, the reasons behind engaging in such substances or behaviors are multifaceted. For some, it serves as an escape from stress, while others are driven by curiosity and the weight of peer influence. Tragically, some are coerced into this harmful lifestyle by their so-called friends.
A critical factor is the environment in which children are raised. Those exposed to drugs and alcohol at an early age face an escalated risk of succumbing to this crisis. The responsibility, in part, falls upon parents, as children are naturally inclined to emulate their behaviors. When parents consume alcohol, they inadvertently spark curiosity in their children’s minds, setting a precedent that can unknowingly lead them down a treacherous path. It is imperative for parents to recognize the significant role they play in shaping their children’s choices.
In addressing this pressing issue, a collective effort is required. It falls upon society, parents, educators, and peers to thwart the growth of this problem and ensure that our children grow up in an environment that nurtures their potential rather than exploiting their vulnerabilities.
Why not pin it?
Alcoholism And Drug Addiction Recovery | David Streem, MD
Watch this video interview with David Streem Md, Cleveland Clinic section head of the Alcohol & Drug Recovery Center. He is answering the questions about alcohol and drug addiction, treatment and recovery.
He is a board-certified psychiatrist, also board-certified in addiction medicine. He runs a treatment program. They have a hospital unit and outpatient treatment. They use really all the best practices evidence-based medical treatments and psychotherapy that we can to help people recover from substance use disorders and addiction.
What is the cause of addiction?
- Is it a choice to use alcohol, drugs or any kind of such materials?
- Is it considered an illness or disease?
- Is it a character flaw?
Addiction is a brain disorder. Yes, we know it’s a brain disorder because there are abnormalities in folks who suffer from the disorder that we can find in the brain.
It’s part of a group of brain disorders that lead people to continue to do things over and over and over again. Even though they know that it’s not healthy or in their best interest but they still can’t stop.
What exactly happens when a person takes drugs or alcohol?
One of the interesting things about habit-forming drugs is that of course there are all kinds of medication substances drugs and they do all sorts of things. But we only abuse a certain relatively small class of these substances.
People don’t use antibiotics abusively. There are other medicines that people generally don’t abuse.
The group of substances that humans and many other mammals abuse do lots of different things in the body they make us feel lots of different ways. But there’s one thing. That small group of substances all do that distinguishes them from any other substances. And that’s that they cause a rather large release of a substance called dopamine into a part of the brain that’s sensitized to it.
When you combine that, particularly with people with a genetic predisposition which is about 60% of the variants in who becomes addicted. And who doesn’t then that leads to changes that lead to behavioural changes.
Does that mean that it’s genetic?
About 60% of the variability is based purely on genetic factors. And we also know that people who are adopted at birth away from. Let’s say parents who have addiction problems and they’re adopted into families that do not have an addiction history. So there’s no addiction in the family those folks have the same risks of addiction as their birth family. And when the reverse is true again genetics usually predominate and that predicts whether the kids later will have addiction problems.
What does alcohol abuse look like?
When people experience an alcohol use disorder they experience a loss of control over their use.
It’s like you went to an event or some situation and weren’t planning on drinking but ended up drinking. You had planned on drinking this much and ended up drinking this much. So anytime that seems out of control and people lose control of their drinking that’s a sign that there’s a problem.
Then when they have consequences related to their drinking whether they be family, health, or legal job and they don’t change their behaviour based on those consequences then that’s another sign that there’s a problem that’s developing.
What are the signs of addiction?
The most important thing is the issue of loss of control and that loss of control and the behaviour continue despite consequences. If people are continuing to rack up increasingly serious consequences and yet their behaviour doesn’t change more than anything else that you know often boils it down.
Source: YouTube
Horrifying status of drug abuse in India
In India drug addiction has become one of the biggest concerns right now and it is affecting the youth and the children of our country. According to a report by The First Post, lakhs of people are using drugs, nationally. These stats are really horrifying and prove that drug use in India has gone up rapidly in the past few years.
The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi submitted its report “Magnitude of Substance Use in India”, in February 2019. That was sponsored by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The key findings of the survey
- At the national level, about 14.6 per cent of the people (approximately 16 crore people) between the ages of 10 and 75 are current users of alcohol.
- About 2.8 per cent of Indians (3.1 crore people) have reported using any cannabis product within the past 12 months.
- Around 2.06 per cent of the people reported using opioids at the time of the survey. About 0.55 per cent of Indians are estimated to need help for their opioid use problems.
- Nationally, it is estimated that there are about 8.5 lakh people who inject drugs (PWID)
How to talk to a teenager about drug addiction recovery
This infographic is a guide explaining how to talk to a teenager about drugs and drug abuse.
From Visually.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the journey of overcoming alcohol and drug addiction is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of positive change. Remember, each life holds the potential for transformation, and seeking guidance from professionals while offering support to those in need can illuminate the path to recovery. By fostering awareness and empathy, we contribute to healing not only individuals but also the broader fabric of families and communities. Let us continue to champion recovery and healing, recognizing that every step taken brings us closer to a brighter, healthier future.
Recommended for reading
- How Claudia Christian Overcame Alcoholism
- Jo Harvey Weatherford | Addiction Rewriting Story
- Parents Beware | This Is Dangerous Than Drug Addiction
- Marijuana Addiction Effects And Recovery Story
Read The article published in The Better India. How Does One End Drug Abuse?
Find 10 Rehab Centres Across India For Those Seeking Help With Addiction
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Mathukutty P. V. is the founder of Simply Life Tips, a blogger, content writer, influencer, and YouTuber passionate about learning and sharing. Guided by “Simple Living, Creative Thinking,” he believes in the power of knowledge sharing and lifelong learning.
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