The Cycle of Addiction

Drug addiction kills an estimated 19,000 people per year. This is only one type of addiction. A person can be addicted to many things such as alcohol, drugs, food, shopping and gambling. Truly, the list goes on and on. Addiction is not prejudiced and affects thousands of people everyday. Children are affected by addicted parents. Friends of the addicted of affected. What causes a human to become addicted? How do they begin their addiction? What is the cycle that takes place to make a normal person an addict? How many seek treatment and how many succeed?

Temptation. Every human being is born with this feeling to experience the unknown and the need for more. We are tempted to do things we know we shouldn't. As teenagers, we are tempted by peer pressure to skip classes, hurt friends, smoke, drink, party, have sex, among other things. Some are thrill-seekers and always seek an adrenaline rush. Some people want to be incapable of feeling and some want to forget. Where does addiction begin? Why?

As a teenager, life is difficult. There are struggles to fit in, wear the right clothes, to be popular, do the 'cool' things and be at the right parties. No matter what social group teenagers fall into, they are faced with the same pressures every day. This is where they become shaped for adulthood. Here is the most critical time of their lives where they learn who 'they' are.

Does addiction begin at young adulthood or in teenage years? Perhaps. Studies have shown that addiction tendencies begin in early teenage years. The teenage years tend to be where most kids try their first cigarette, first joint, and take their first sip of beer. The question why is what comes to mind as you see teenagers continue these first experiences into their every weekend and then every day lives. What makes the person who tries it different than the one who keeps doing it? Does this mean they are addicted. Not necessarily.

Addiction is more than just an action. It is more than just 'getting high' and it is more than 'it feels good.' Addiction is more about how does the drug make the addicted person feel inside? There are many factors that can cause an addiction. Sometimes an addicted person doesn't realize they are addicted to a substance.

They begin drinking for example because they are stressed out with work, family life, or money troubles. Before they realize it, they are drinking every night. Not only does the occurrence of the drinking increase but so does the amount. The person is stumbling into bed on a nightly basis or passing out on the couch. The reason this person began drinking was to rid themselves of the stresses of life. Alcohol became a coping mechanism. Once it becomes an addiction, decision making becomes altered around this. Never before would they drive under the influence of alcohol but when they run out of it, they need more. The addicted person believes they need the alcohol therefore, the decision is made to drive and get it which could result in a DUI or DWI. At this point, it is possible the person recognizes a problem.

Once an addict realizes there is a problem, this is normally where the addiction cycle begins. This is the point where the self-negotiating begins. Instead of seeking professional help after an addiction is admitted, many people take to fixing things themselves. After all, isn't that the American way? Do it yourself!

If the addict is a female addicted to marijuana for example, she may tell herself she won't smoke on week days and limit herself to smoking three times during the weekend. For a while, she may stick to her plan and do well. Suddenly, the every day stress factors begin coming into play. Perhaps she is a single mother and is trying to make ends meet with multiple jobs. She is unable to make her utility bill for the month, she falls behind on payments and her power is shut off. In result, she begins smoking daily again. After this, the addict will recognize her failure. Many feelings could arise like anger, anxiety, depression... all of which could make her use more. Then, the cycle continues to repeat itself.

It is not easy for an addict to break the cycle of addiction especially if the addiction is long term. Research shows that the longer an addiction goes without treatment, the more difficult it is to treat. There are many treatment programs offered in each state. Depending on the type of addiction and the power of it over the addict, they may seek in patient treatment or something more like a support group. Either way, both are very beneficial and a crucial step in the recovery process.

Over half of the addicts that receive treatment will relapse in the first year. Many of them die because of their addiction of drugs and alcohol. Others lose friends, family, their home and their employment. It is important for previous addicts to find happiness in day to day life and to find hope. Many who were non religious prior to the addiction, become religious and some are "born again" in their faith. Some find God, some find writing a journal or creative writing help, and some dabble in charity work.

It is important that a treated addict stay clear of any triggers they may cause them to relapse and to always stay in contact with someone who is clean of any addiction. Communication with a fellow support group member can help relieve daily stresses of life and make life a little easier. Breaking the cycle can mean saving some one's life. Most are aware they need help but don't know where to go to receive it. There are many ways to get it such as treatment facilities, support groups, and hot-lines. Making the first step is the hardest, most beneficial thing one can do.