Drug Addiction

Image via Wikipedia

Today I’m in a weird mood and as always when that happens I do an unusual post. I’ve been thinking about addiction a lot recently. I’ll let you know why in a moment. First definition:
Drug addiction is a state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by the repeated consumption of a drug (natural or synthetic). Its characteristics include: (i) an overpowering desire or need (compulsion) to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means; (ii) a tendency to increase the dose; (iii) a psychic (psychological) and generally a physical dependence on the effects of the drug; and (iv) detrimental effects on the individual and on society. (Wikipedia)


Recently, I was very sick with the flu on some very powerful meds which would cause me to fall asleep within 10 minutes. Yeah, powerful stuff. After a few days on them, it was probably 4 days, I became quite used to to the feeling it gave me when I took it: it was like a comfortable sleepy feeling, it made me feel content and sent me into a rather restful dreamless sleep. I actually began to look forward to taking my meds at the end of the day. When my dose was finally over I actually wanted to continue taking them.:) 

But  the real shocker for me came when something pissed me off one day at home and I became rather depressed because of it. I had finished my dose of cough syrup but some of the medicine still remained. I walked into my room thinking how the buzz the medicine gave me would be perfect right now. I looked at the bottle, and it hit me that that was probably the way most drug addictions began wanting to go back to a time when you felt a certain way under its influence. Or maybe just to escape what you are feeling at that particular moment.


Until then I had found drug addiction something mildly interesting or rather amusing. I had never given it much thought but I thought only a fool would allow something that destructive to get control of him but now I’m not so sure. I think I’m only now beginning to understand why drug addictions start. Of course there’s always those influenced by peer pressure but others may just be doing it to escape their reality, their feelings, trying to get to a place where they’re comfortable.


Even as I realised all this I still consider taking a dose of the medicine. The buzz was calling and I longer for the feeling it could give. I picked up the bottle stared at it for a few minutes, realised how stupid it would be to do it. I put down the bottle and laughed aloud at my thoughts. But later I noticed I still carve it a little bit, other time I just felt like have a drink and realised that this might be more serious than I thought. And I began to ponder it and came up with the thoughts I shared with you already.


While coming up with this post and reading wikipedia for minor research I saw a description that best describes what I felt and what it could have become:
Drug habituation (habit) is a condition resulting from the repeated consumption of a drug. Its characteristics include (i) a desire (but not a compulsion) to continue taking the drug for the sense of improved well-being which it engenders; (ii) little or no tendency to increase the dose; (iii) some degree of psychic dependence on the effect of the drug, but absence of physical dependence and hence of an abstinence syndrome [withdrawal], and (iv) detrimental effects, if any, primarily on the individual.(Wikipedia) 
ALSO
Psychic dependence is defined as a state in which “there is a feeling of satisfaction and psychic drive that requires periodic or continuous administration of the drug to produce pleasure or to avoid discomfort.(Wikipedia)


Anyway don’t freak out…too much. I just wanted to share this with you to see what you think. Have you really thought about addiction and how it starts? Ever fought some form of it? Or do you know of anyway who has? Let me know what you’re thinking in the comments. And remember those in society suffering from drug and substance addiction, pray for them. Peace!