Understanding Drug Addiction

A quick glance into America’s past will reveal a multitude of triumphs and crises. Among the worst of these crises is one that has encompassed people of all ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and walks of life for years: drug addiction. From the most common of drugs like alcohol and marijuana to rare ones like methamphetamine, drugs have posed a severe threat to and rampaged American communities. This becomes especially true when drug usage becomes normalized in someone’s life. This article will explore what drug addiction is and how you can help someone get through one.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addiction is “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences”(NIDA). Drug addiction is considered a brain disorder and is known to alter brain chemistry (NIDA). Obviously, drug addiction is bad; however, there are ways to help someone who might be suffering from it. First, it is necessary to understand how to identify a drug addiction. A few common symptoms of addiction are declining work or school performance, neglect of responsibilities or relationships, experiencing new health issues, changes in mood, appearance, or behavior, and financial issues. Also, an influx of drug paraphernalia in a person's living space could be a sign of a drug addiction (Robinson). After an addiction has been identified, it is critical to help that person. However, this is easier said than done. It is important to understand and familiarize oneself with the variety of treatments that exist for whatever kind of drug addiction addiction a loved one may have. This can be very different depending on which addictive substance is in play. Next, it is important to understand addiction itself. Knowing how addiction works and what effects it may have on a loved one allows for a better understanding of the situation and how to improve it. It is crucial to offer the person support and show that their recovery is truly important not only to them but to you as well. A good strategy might be hiring an intervention specialist who is more familiar with the process and better suited to engage with an addict. Throughout the entire process, it is important to remain both adamant and persistent but without shaming the person or making them feel worse about themselves, which may jeopardize the situation further. Ultimately, the goal is to try to help that person willingly seek the help they need, whether that be therapy or complete relocation to a specialized facility. However, even once this is done, it is essential to stay present in their journey and to keep encouraging them. Lastly, while trying to help a loved one recover, make sure that you prioritize your own health and safety, especially your mental health. It is vital to make sure that you are okay and take enough time for yourself while trying to help others (England).

Citations

England, Care New. 5 Tips on How to Help Someone Struggling With Addiction. 6 Dec. 2023, www.butler.org/blog/5-tips-to-help-someone-struggling-with-addiction. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024.

NIDA. "Drug Misuse and Addiction." National Institute on Drug Abuse, 5 Jan. 2024,

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction Accessed 31 Jul. 2024.

Robinson, Lawrence, and Melinda Smith. “Helping Someone With a Drug Addiction.”

HelpGuide.Org, 5 Feb. 2024, www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/helping-someone-with-drug-addiction.htm.