addiction to pills is widespread
Addiction does not discriminate.
It can be found in the rich and the poor, healthy and not so healthy. It is not only the underpriviledged who may have easy access to drugs, but also the college educated business executive striving to stay on top of his game. Addictions are everywhere and they are holding people hostage to alcohol, cigarettes, hard drugs, painkillers, food, sex, gambling and other things.
The addict is not the only one affected…family, friends and co-workers are involved as well. It can be a very difficult thing to watch someone you know and love slowly destroy themselves right before your eyes, but its happening all over the world…right now.
I don’t mean to be so sobering about this topic, but it hits very close to home. Not only have I seen the effects on loved ones, but I’ve seen what it can do to myself as well. There is a lot of information to cover so lets get started.
Signs of an Addict
- using alcohol or drugs to relax
- using alcohol or drugs to forget about problems
- loss of interest in those activities that were once important
- keeping secrets from friends and family
- withdrawing and wanting to spend more time alone
- missing school and unexplained absences
- falling grades
- different friendships that aren’t always healthy
- spending time finding ways to get drugs or alcohol
- stealing money
- stealing items and selling them for cash
- failed attempts at addiction recovery
- anxiety
- depression
- anger
- mood changes
The addiction didn’t start overnight…and it certainly won’t stop that way either. For the addict to ever get better, it will take a serious commitment as well as support from loved ones and family members. It won’t be easy either. It will be the hardest thing the addict has probably ever tried to do, with dire consequences if they should fail…and they more than likely will. It usually takes a few serious attempts for the addict to be able to stay “clean” or steer clear of their “drug”.’
If you are seeing signs in someone you care about, don’t wait until it’s too late…don’t hang onto a sinking ship either, because you must save yourself in order to help the addict. There are wonderful programs out there for children and partners of addicts…Alanon and Alateen are just a few. They have chapters in every major city…and sometimes the smaller cities as well.
Help is out there, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
My next blog post will continue this conversation by delving deeper into the addict’s psyche.
Until next time, good health to you!
Darlene
