THE ADDICTION DISEASE

Addiction should always have recovery stand close to it. A lot of effort has been put into curbing addiction until there was no space to support recovery.

 

Recovery is supposed to be given as much as addiction. It means a lot to the society too.

 

Addiction is a condition where we lack moderation over a thing because of the reward it brings while at the same time we turn a blind eye to the grave consequences that it brings.

 

Addiction is:

1. Primary.

No problem has the capacity to bring or cause addiction. That addiction is primary means that it is the one that causes problems.

It happens on its own but through denial, we apportion blame on other situations and people.

 

2. Chronic.

It is a condition which once we get into, we become addicts forever. It is a condition that we can never get cured out of. Even on recovery, we will be referred to as recovering addicts.

 

This painful fact has seen people relapse and get back into use for failing to understand that what treatment removed from us was the symptoms and not the condition.

 

We always are a drink a way and that is why we will always be victims of the first drink.

 

There is a thing that lies to us that after we have stayed clean for a considerable period of time, and we have done great progress, that we now can be able to moderate our use.

 

We however upon trying this it never takes long before we slide back to the place we were a while back.

 

3. Progressive.

Addiction is progressive. This progression makes us not realize the grave and devastating end that awaits us. One time we are decent and respectable users in a pack of other enterprising patrons, the other moment we are rummaging through smelly joints begging for a high.

 

Progressive is one of the venoms in addiction that lies to us that we would never end up like those other cases.

 

Progression uses deception as a tool. It makes addiction blend into our normal programs and from there it uses stealth to advance slowly undetected until it finally devours us.

 

4. Relapsing.

The relapsing element in addiction is closely connected to the chronic feature in addiction.

Relapse is on a very high rate especially on the first year. It is also as elusive as the progression.

The beginning of the relapse is a loss of priority for sobriety.

There are many theories of addiction.

There are some however that are very common. One however stands tall as it identifies addiction as a disease. It claims that addiction meets the threshold of any typical disease.

 

The criteria used to qualify addiction as a disease addresses five things.

i. Etiology. 

Claims that addiction has a traceable cause. If followed carefully, we can be able to associate this disease with its root cause.

Addiction is actually considered as the presenting and if checked carefully, it always has an underlying condition. This underlying is the most important thing for us to discover in addiction treatment.

 

ii. Identifiable signs and symptoms.

Any typical disease has signs and symptoms that isolate it from other similar or closely related conditions.

 

iii. Lack of intentional causation.

Even if most users do it knowingly, and willingly and sometimes in complete disregard for caution, they will never be considered to be intentionally looking for pain.

Every expert will discover that these individuals are powerless at that point to their disease.

 

iv. Pathogenesis.

This stands for predictable progression. There is a way we can tell what level a person is at any given time. Progression is that element that allows addiction to develop gradually from stage to stage.

 

v. Prognosis.

Here we discover that if nothing is done and factors remain constant, there is a predictable conclusion or ending that usually awaits us.

As interventions are being made, there is always that fear as we discover what awaits some cases if no change is done.

Addiction is either on substance or process. Either way, there is a serious lack of moderation.

 

Lack of moderation is hosted by 4 factors;

1.Biological/ genetic factors.

2.Psychological factors.

3.Social/ environmental factors.

4.Spiritual factors.

 

Biological factors

These are factors that are wired in our genes. In other counseling terms, it is known as the x-factor. This is the genetic predisposition or that allergy in us that makes us respond to drugs and substances with a unique and super physical effect.

It is a disadvantaged angle that some people have that makes them be unable to moderate their use. It is a factor that is a mystery to so many people. Some of the things we might have noticed if we are genetically predisposed is that.

1.There is an uncontrollable urge in us to use.

2.There is that inability for us to stop once we have begun.

3.There are numerous attempts to stop all in vain.

4.There are people we try to copy simply because they are able to use manageable quantities and at reasonable hours but we always find ourselves going beyond.

5.Problems that arise from the use only drive us into more use. We do not value the lessons.

 

We are not addicts because of the substances that we use, rather it is that disease of addiction in us that makes us addicts.

 

We know we have the disease when we find ourselves trapped in;

1. Obsessive.

2. Compulsive.

3. Self-centered routines.

4. Endless loops.

 

Obsession.

This is when the mind is irrationally preoccupied by the pleasurable outcomes of using. There are other outcomes that we certainly do not like, but obsession finds us thinking of only the good part and carefully ignoring those negative outcomes.

 

While in obsession, our lives circulate around.

1. Planning, plotting and scheming how we shall obtain the substance.

2. The process loved the most by all chronic users, using and abusing.

3. Recovering from the chronic use as we wait to get back to step number one again

 

This cycle is repeated again and again until we either give up using and seek treatment or we succumb to the use either by death, injury and hospitalization or crime and imprisonment.

 

Stereotypes and myths about addiction keep people bound in misleading opinions about addiction. Sadly, by the time some finally come for treatment, the process of recovery requires a lot.