Addiction.
Does not see race, socioeconomic status, gender, age, location, or anything else. This could happen to somebody you love or yourself.
I'm quite sure we have all seen and heard of the monster, Addiction. It is taking its tightening grip and controlling our families, friends, co-workers, our neighbours and many others. From the outside looking in, things seem to be fine. Happy families, smiling and living the dream. Sadly, behind closed doors there are families that are being ravished, ripped apart and falling into pieces from addiction. There are addicts, their enablers, those who have had enough… those who are curious and begin using with family members who are also addicts themselves. This is a multigenerational disease, substance use disorder is 75-90+% paired with other diagnoses. Including major depression, anxiety&panic, bi-polar disorder, borderline personality disorder and more.
What do we do? Can we even do anything?
Is there hope? Yes! There is Always Hope!
Addiction is mystifying. Many professionals find it very scary (or From losing family, friends, good relationships, housing, marriages falling apart, children suffering, the addict suffering-yet unable to put down the bottles, the powders, the tar, the pills, the syringes, stopping at the casino only to lose your rent money; all the lost money that pours into addictions of all sorts. That same question may come up again, '“Why can’t you just stop?!” More people than you may believe do want help, but may feel judged for using and are in denial about their own use. An example: “I don’t use to get high, I just use to feel ‘normal’ and feel that they may be above or better than somebody who uses to get high.
Many, many people believe that an addict can ‘stop indulging in their addiction(s)’ This is, unfortunately for the vast majority of people… untrue. Those who have never had an addiction themselves find this hard to believe. There are two drugs that an addict simply cannot quit ‘cold turkey’ (which means just abruptly stoppingA0 without professional help. Those two are: Alcohol and Benzodiazepines. Without these present in the addict’s body can send them into a dangerous withdrawal, which commonly leads to death. Fatalities of this nature are heartbreaking, however, these days many drug dealers ‘cut’ or mix Fentanyl into their drugs as the potency is extraordinary high. Absolutely horrifying that Fentanyl that is the size of a grain of salt can kill a person; especially when using drugs intravenously.
Sadly, these “hardcore” users tend to have burned bridges with the people who mean the most to them. Stealing from stores (a.k.a “boosting”) to support habits, stealing cherished items from family members (such as wedding rings, jewellery or anything of value) is common amongst these individuals who find themselves in the clutches of their addiction. Addiction shows no bounds, little mercy and deception to say the least.
Rock Bottom looks different from person to person; individual to individual. Sadly the majority of those who hit rock bottom; it’s too late. They end up either in jail or in the morgue. Sadly, every few minutes in North America somebody dies of an overdose. The growing demand means a growing supply. I personally cannot walk to the store without being asked if I have drugs to sell, or if I want to buy drugs. Granted, I don’t live in the best neighbourhood, but the epidemic is growing and is being seen in good neighbourhoods and bad ones too. I live in a neighbourhood now where I see this on an almost daily basis. I choose to stay in my apartment and spend time with my elderly cat, Molly.
Some people can go out, have a drink and maybe even go to an ‘after party’ where let’s say, there is cocaine readily available. This person may have another drink and use some cocaine and that is the extent of their usage. True addicts cannot just have ‘a’ drink and use ‘some’ cocaine. Addicts will do almost anything to chase their next high. I’m sure you have heard the phrase “Not Even Once.” I believe this, as I have seen a functioning family crumble before my very eyes and have drugs and alcohol take over their lives. With children in foster care, being in the system, arrests on the addicts and spending time in prison and/or rehabs just to complete their time and go right back to where they were. This saddens me and with my own addictions in the past I can empathize with. Having my own family not calling me on my birthdays, not being invited to family dinners and get togethers, not being able to take part in Holidays broke my heart. I changed my life and it hasn’t been easy, but luckily there is hope and help out there- just waiting for you to take that leap and be humble in admitting you need help.
I feel very fortunate to have a great doctor who has helped me get off of my prescription pain medication and I feel so much better than I did. Due to confidentiality reasons, I cannot name them.. but I thank my doctor every time we speak. My situation could have become a lot worse, but I took the initiative to ask to be taken off the addictive medications that I was using (legally) to numb my physical and emotional pain. I now am teaching myself how to draw, use graphic design programs and I have a legitimate job where I can feel proud of myself. If I can do it, so can you. You are not alone in this.
You are not alone! There are Millions of people that may be almost exactly like yourself and have showed tremendous courage. It is not easy. I won’t sugarcoat anything. Detox is a great first step. It is absolutely necessary and It feels like Hell. However, once you have gotten through the physical detoxification part, know that you will NEVER have to feel like that again!
I promise, just like Rising Up Like A Phoenix from the Ashes and bettering yourself is empowering. For those who are struggling with addiction, I am here for you if you want to talk and get your feelings out. I am a certified counsellor and I will soon be studying to become a specialized addictions counsellor. From there I will jump through hoops and eventually save lives. As, being an interventionist is my dream job. I want to be there for anyone dealing with this monster of a disease and show them that life is beautiful without drugs and alcohol.
Sincerely & Emotionally Written By Khalina Hosein.