If I would go up to you and ask what you think of liver
disease, increased CHD risk, and reduced mortality, you would probably look to
me as though I was mad. The answer is so self-evident, it doesn’t bear questioning.
Of course, these conditions are terrible, disabling diseases which we would
think we would avoid at all costs. And yet alcohol and drug abuse is as
prominent as ever. To make matters worse, there is a prevalent demographic of
children, subject to addiction, becoming younger and younger.
However, when we think about alcoholism, and drug abuse,
the connotations that arise are those of heavy drinkers, in solitude, who
seemed to have brought it on themselves. We don’t even think to associate
addiction and abuse with social events when young adults are out to have a good
time. We are cultured to believe that this is the norm, and it’s all in good
fun.
Clinging onto this traditional attitude is calamitous.
Blinded by these beliefs, many don’t see what lies beyond. It’s no secret that aside from multi-organ
failure, associated with substance abuse, in many cases the user becomes a
criminal. A burden on society and family, and consequently addiction leads to
destructive behaviour, unemployment, and failure to see reason or a way out.
As children, they are most susceptible. Psychologically
and chemically their brains are still undergoing critical development. This can easily be impeded with the inappropriate consumption
of drug substances, leading to irreversible and detrimental alterations to brain
chemistry. Pregnancy in this state can lead to a condition known as
foetal alcohol syndrome. With a inbalance in the
regulation of dopamine, comes the demon of addiction.With altered brain chemistry,
it becomes a question whether the user is at liberty to stop? Are they a
criminal or are they a victim of their cravings?
Current, statistical analysis
depicts that cannabis followed by alcohol are the the leading substances of
addiction in the youth. Much drug abuse and alcoholism is found to stem from
co- morbidity. One of the main conditions being a poor mental state
(depression), the belief that there’s an inability to cope with the worlds
demands. This is remedied by “medicating” away the troubles with psychoactive
drugs including alcohol, cannabis etc. This is found very commonly with those
holding the cultural ideologies that to have a relaxing time with friends,
alcohol or drug taking is a prerequisite.
Addiction insidious, in that it robs the user of control over their
choice. It’s an illness, even though; it still carries with it an unrelenting
stigma, which calls scorn upon the victim.
It’s fundamental that this
vicious cycle brought to an end. People deserve to be treated with
dignity, and be given all viable sources of therapy to aid their treatment.
Seeing these people as patients rather than criminals leaves us with a way to
eliminate the problem.
Many attribute this problem to
destitution, lack of education and lack of inculcation of the core values, some
to a deeper issue such as mental health whilst others, adopt a more
condemning outlook, blaming the user. This traditional, fast held belief, lays
the grounds for a self-destructive pattern- an addict sees his path as one with
no return, which essentially does not help anyone. In actual fact, we
understand brain chemistry, and we know that most people do not relish in the
idea of being a burden, or a dysfunctional member of society.
Status quo, and much of current legislation likes to view
users through a criminal lens, its disparaging and in no way, effective in
ending the vicious cycle that is addiction. The key is to transform this issue
into a public health issue. This is where we can help. Health professionals can
raise awareness, of these issues by campaigning at schools- impressing upon children
the significance of prevention early on. Providing mental health support, confidentiality,
and other support for youth and addicts, is also critical to rid ourselves of
this epidemic.
By realising this, it is my
hope that with a more compassionate approach, it will welcome more
opportunities for treatment of those affected. This should not be an elephant
in the room, or a reason to shun or shame another. By completely shifting the
paradigm of the preconceptions held about recreational drinking and drug taking
and then consequential addiction, this would massively improve the health of
our society. Seeing alcoholism or drug taking as a choice and
self-inflicted is to miss the point entirely. There is always a deeper reason,
if only we recognise the cry for help for what it is.
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