Scribd
Upload
27 views2 pages

Addiction and Recovery Article

Uploaded by

Mico Ugalde
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
27 views2 pages

Addiction and Recovery Article

Uploaded by

Mico Ugalde
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Addiction and Recovery

When we say addiction, what comes to mind? Many people will often perceive it as a moral failure, a
lack of self-control problem, or a lack of connection with the Lord or God. Oftentimes people who are
addicted to substances will be tagged as “bad people” for the rest of their lives, with no hope for a better
future. Because of these negative remarks, people who are suffering from addiction are more likely to
stigmatize themselves and refuse treatment. Without proper support, the cycle will never be broken.
Now, is there really a solution for such endless wreckage? Is there really hope for those who are still
suffering? Can a person really steer towards a new life? YES! But first, we would have to understand what
addiction really is.

What is addiction? As defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a
branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Addiction is defined as a chronic,
relapsing brain DISEASE characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful
consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is not an issue of lack of self-control or lack of
religiosity; it is a disease that affects the user's brain and ultimately prevents them from thinking
rationally. This also includes people who are currently using alcohol, or even gambling, shopping, and
video games. How these substances affect the brain differs. All humans have this natural chemical in our
brains called dopamine. It is located in the reward system of our brain. When released, it is responsible
for making us feel good, helping the brain reinforce and repeat rewarding behaviors. For example, when
a person eats his/her favorite food, the brain releases more dopamine than usual, so the body
remembers that a certain food will make him/her happier compared to normal activities. Now, when a
person tried drugs, that specific substance or behavior (drugs, alcohol, gambling, shopping, video games)
will mimic the dopamine, prompting the surge of it in unusually high levels. Experiencing this, a drug
dependent forgets the less rewarding stuff like sleeping, eating, doing their favorite leisure activities,
having sex, and focusing on obtaining or getting high even more.

Where does a person get addiction? As mentioned in the previous paragraph, it is a disease, specifically
an inheritable disease. Studies have shown that a person who has relatives that also had an addiction is
vulnerable to it. Around 40% - 60% of a person’s vulnerability to addiction is genetic. But it does not say
that if he/she has an alcoholic, drug addict, video game addict, shopping addict, or gambler relative, that
person will have an addiction in the future. A person may try these substances or behaviors, but will not
be addicted to them.

Why doesn’t everyone who tries become addicted? Although addiction can be genetically passed from
person to person, one important factor plays a role as well. Environmental factor plays a huge role in a
person becoming addicted. Socio or environmental factors can be trauma, stress from school or work,
coping from a loss, parents’ separation, interactions with friends who are also using and/or doing
addictive behaviors, the upbringing of a person’s parents, or even co-occurring mental disorders. All
these factors or circumstances in life can trigger a person to try and eventually become addicted.
Basically, because substances or these behaviors will make a person happy, more often they would use in
order for them to alleviate the uncomfortable feelings they are dealing with, and the worst part there is
because of the stigma addiction gets, it’s hard for people who are suffering from it to actually reach out
for help.

Is there a cure for addiction? Sadly, because of its chronic, relapsing nature, addiction cannot be cured.
Compared to asthma and diabetes, addiction also has a high possibility of relapse. These illnesses are
managed by programs that include medicines and of course a balanced, healthy diet and physical
regimen. Similarly, addiction can also be managed.

How can a person manage this disease? There are several programs that are readily available for people
who need them, but as experienced here in the Philippines, fewer people are actually availing of those
services. What is the dilemma? Stigma in the community is not only common but also powerful in the
Philippines. It’s one thing that an addict will experience prejudice from a person but in the Philippines,
part of our culture is to gossip about a person’s issue to another person possibly a group of people
negatively. Will a person who has a fever get well when we put them in jail? Will a person who has a
disease be healthy again when imprisoned? We, as a community, have to change our perspective on
addiction. We need to understand that an addict is not a bad person trying to be good, but a sick person
trying to get well. Again, it is not a self-control issue, but rather a spiritual disease. Support and
understanding from the community goes a long way.

You might also like