Addictions & Substance Abuse

Do not underestimate the destructive power of Alcohol

It should be rememered that alcohol, which is pharmacologically a more toxic drug than many illegal drugs, causes more damage to society and individuals (including teenagers) than all the illegal drugs combined

Addict or Substance Abuser

It is first very important to distinguish between Addiction, or Substance-Dependence, on one hand, and other forms of substance use and abuse which may at times be problematic, but do not reflect actual addiction or substance dependance

Substance use or abuse is a purposeful activity carried out intentionally by those indulging in it. Many people of all ages, occasionally or regularly set out to get drunk or high, and when this is harmful to the substance user and/or others, it is termed substance abuse

Not every Substance Abuser - will progress to become an Addict

Only a minority of these abusers are actually substance-dependent, and the majority of those who abuse drugs on an experimental level do not progress to become addicts. Nevertheless, a few points are important in this regard

Regular abuse of Drugs - very likely can to lead to Drug Dependence

This kind of intentional abuse causes at least as much damage to individuals of all ages, and to society at large - as that caused by substance dependence

The longer one regularly uses potentially habit-forming drugs, the more likely one is to progress to the point where one becomes drug dependent

Anyone who regularly uses drugs such as coke, crack, crystal meth, opiates -such as heroin and benzodiazepines (sleeping pills and tranquillizers such as valium and ativan), is running a very high risk of becoming addicted

If you have a possible genetic pre-disposition to substance dependance, even regular use of a natural, relatively non-addictive drug such as "weed - cannabis", it could well become an addiction

Incidentally, throughout the world and regardless of factors such as socio-economic status and intelligence, about 10-15% of people become substance dependent (addicted) at some time in their lives. A balanced view will also note that there are millions of people from all cultures who use both legal and illegal substances for medicinal or other purposes, and that within the culture this use is regarded as beneficial to the user and/or the group. Although some of these drugs users will become addicted, they will constitute the minority

Behaviour Signs

Powerlessness to Control use

The simplest factor which distinguishes between dependence and use / abuse, is that the addict reaches a point where their use of drugs is no longer reliably under their control. They will therefore not be able to consistently remain true to their intention to cut down, regulate or stop using. This powerlessness to control their use, is a major challenge to the ego of the addict, who is aware of the fact that those not so afflicted can more predictably control their use. Although this failure to control their use by no means reflects a lack of willpower or inner strenght, it is experienced as a sign of weakness and becomes a source of shame

The Power of Denial and Blame

Another sign is that the afflicted person will continue to misuse substances, despite continuous harm to themselves and/ or others. To others it is obvious that the abuse is the source of the persons problems, but the abuser themselves, will either deny there is a problem, or admit it while blaming it on people or situations unrelated to the addiction. The reason for this is that the person is living in a haze of unreality created by the incredible power of denial and all its relatives - such as rationalisation, blame and minimisation. Addiction amplifies all the human weaknesses such as blame, resentment, self-pity an victim thinking

Pre-Occupation with the Abuse

The afflicted person's life becomes increasingly narrow as they develop a pre-occupation with their use of substances. Previously valued activities, interests and relationships are relegated to the scrap heap of the irrelevant, often leaving loved ones confused and hurting

Withdrawal Symptoms & Tolerance Build-up

On a physical or biological level, there are often physical and/or psychological withdrawal symptoms, which manifest themselves when the person is deprived of their drugs. These are far more prominent for some drugs - e. g. heroin, benzodiazepines, some forms of alcoholism, than cannibis & ecstacy. It may even be absent altogether in certain forms of substance dependence e.g in the binge type of alcoholic or crack addict. On a biological level the dependent person builds up a tolerance to the effects of their drugs of choice so that they need more to achieve the same mind-altering effect

Genetic Factor

Scientific research increasingly demonstrates the relevance of biological and neurochemical markers for a large proportion of substance dependent people. An important factor on this level is the genetic component, which for many is a critical pre-disposing factor. The closer the genetic or family tie, to the person with substance dependence, the greater are the chances of becoming substance dependent at some time in one's life. This has been shown to occur even when a child of a chemically-dependent person, has grown up in an environment completely protected from substance abuse

Change in Neurochemical Functioning

It has also clearly shown that once people have crossed the line of addiction, their Neurochemical functioning is subtly different from that of people who have not. For some this appears to have been present before they started using substances. For others it appears to have evolved with repeated and regular use and abuse of substances. Crucially, once these changes have taken place, it is extremely unlikely that the person will ever be able to use habit-forming substances in a controlled, moderate way. For the established addict moderate use of any habit-forming substance, is harldy a possibility. Even when an established addict remains abstinent for years, it would seem that the loss of control over the use of such substances progresses, silently waiting for them to "try just this once". On doing so, they usually discover that, far from there being an improvement in their ability to control their intake, they are less able to control their use than ever before

Damage to the Seratonin Receptors

It is very important to know that regular use of most habit-forming natural or synthetic chemicals can bring about changes in the functioning of the brain, and even cause damage to specific receptors. Designer drugs, such as ecstasy, have been shown to cause permanent damage to the seratonin receptors of the brain in animals. The likelihood of this also applying to humans, is also very high. This is a significant problem as seratonin is an essential neurochemical which helps regulate body temperature, respiration and mood

Mental-Emotional Aspects

Most peole in the field would accept that the most stubborn and persistent aspects of addiction lie mainly in the mind, heart and soul. Denial leads to the deception of self and others. The implication for healing and lasting recovery, is that the addict has to be helped to get present to "what is" in all areas in their lives. This ultimately lead to liberation. Many addicts have experienced their inner and/ or outer worlds as toxic, or at best mundane and boring. Escapism and mistrust of life, are therefore common issues which have to be addressed in the healing process

Extremist Thinking and Behaviour

Another common mental characteristic of substance-dependend people is extremist thinking and behaviour. This can manifest as an "all-or-nothing" approach to activities such as work, studies, hobbies or sport. It may also be expressed in the form of idealising or totally "catastrophising" normal but unexpected daily problems or disagreements. This is usually a sign of emotional immaturity

Drug Abuse in Teenagers

When discussing teenage drug abuse, it is important to point out that the younger one is, when starting regular abuse of habit-forming drugs, the more likely one is to become addicted. There are a few reasons for this. One of which is that the brain is still growing until the age of about 18, and is therefore more vulnerable to the habituating and other effects of regular abuse. There are many tell-tale signs of addiction/drug dependence that should be observed if one is curious about another's habits

Once someone starts to abuse drugs on a very regular basis, their emotional development becomes stunted. Treatment therefore has to help the person catch up in this area and handle life on life's terms, with its inevitable ups and downs. The implication for teenagers is that the teen are at a crucial time for developing emotional and relationship skills. They need support and mentoring during this time, and should as far as possible, not be allowed to avoid these challenges, by hiding behind the numbing effects of regular drug abuse

Another form of this extremism influences self-esteem, where the person may seriously under or over value themselves and their capabilities. They may reveal a sense of grandiosity - (unrealistic sense of self-importance and self-centeredness) , a sense of entitlement (the world owes me) and a sense of invincibility. Two points to emphasise firstly, is that teenagers naturally hide their uncertainty behind a mask of grandiosity and invincibility and are therefore less likely than adults to learn from the mistakes of others who have fallen into the drug trap

Secondly, more than most adults, teens are relatively defiant and self-willed and are going to resist any authority figure telling them what to do. Ideally working with teen drug addicts, requires the presence of people with whom they can identify and from whom they are more likely to take guidance. It is also important to point out that if significant others such as parents or friends indulge (enable) these unrealistic attitudes by for instance - protecting the person from the consequences of their damaging actions - this simply reinforces the addict's unrealistic sense of grandiosity, invincibility and entitlement. These signs of ego inflation are usually elements of a mask, which may hide wounds, fears and a sense of inadequacy. Interestingly, most chemically dependent people will admit that they have felt like outsiders for as long as they can remember being social beings

Depression and anxiety are more often consequences of the substance dependence, than the cause. Regular use of stimulants (uppers), or central nervous system depressants (downers) or both, affects the neurochemistry in such a way, as to inevitably lead to secondary depression and anxiety. This can of cause also result of living a chaotic, secretive double life. Where there is a mood disorder which predates the onset of the addiction, it is only possible to treat this effectively, (by whatever mean) once the person has stopped taking mind-altering substances

Teen Drug Use & Sexual Activity - Closely Linked

Teenage drug use and teenage sexual activity are closely linked, with all the associated risks. First, bigger risk takers are more likely to use drugs and to be sexually active from a young age. They are often less careful, don't use condoms or contraception, and often have many sexual partners, so increasing their and other's risk getting sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or HIV infection and in girls - carcinoma of the cervix and complications later in life with infertility

Drug use affects judgement too. So someone who is drunk or high on drugs is more likely to make bad decisions about who to sleep with or when to have sex and is also less likely to take precautions to ensure safe sex. Studies have shown that adolescents who have used dagga, are apparently four times more likely to have been pregnant, or have impregnated someone, than teens who have never smoked dagga

Drugs and alcohol also make it more likely that the user could find themselves in a situation where they're not "with-it" enough to make a call on the safety of a situation. Drunk teenagers may not be able to defend themselves against unwanted sexual advances either, or may not even be able to say no. Perhaps worst of all are those addicted to drugs or alcohol, who use sex as a way to finance their next fix

We have been warned that alcohol abuse is responsible for a lot of promiscuity. The warnings go futher than just the obvious unwanted pregnacies or HIV infection. A bad sexual experience stays with a person for a long time, and may affect their future relationships and ability to enjoy sex

Taken together, everything we know, shows that drugs and alcohol are best avoided, particularly in the context of any relationship where sex may be involved

Parents of Teenagers need to talk to them about Sexuality & Substance Abuse

Everyone, even teenagers, make their own choices about when and with whom to have sex. The job of talking to teens about their sexuality, along with the dangers of substance abuse, is a vital job for parents and one they can't afford to be shirking. The time for talking is now

Spiritual Aspects

In many respects the essence of addiction lies in the sense of isolation, emptiness and purposelessness which addicts feel, often long before they become addicted. Addicts with their sensitivity and emotional immaturity, often experience this aloneness as unbearable. As the addiction and the isolation progress, so emptiness and purposelessness grows

If there has been emotional trauma earlier in the person's life, this will further intensify these vacuous feelings and the sense of alienation from the lost self. This also translates into a sense of alienation from others and the divine, and the drug literally becomes the person's higher power. The sense of shame that goes with suffering from a stigmatised condition, and the fear of not really knowing what is wrong, or what to do about it, futher intensify this sense of alienation

Teenagers live in a society full of uncertainty, glaring hypocrisy and contradictory values, while at the same time struggling with the contradictory developmental tasks of froming an individual identity an creating a sense of belonging outside the family. It is inevitalbe that those who do not find a place within socially rewarded stream of life, will be vulnerable to finding a numb kind of pseudo inner peace, and an identity and sense of belonging, within the drug subculture

Solutions

The person has to be helped to come out of their "cuckooland" of denial, so that they can get present to the manageable reality of their inner and outer lives. Until this has happened, real change is impossible. In the course of this process , it is important to de-stigmatise the condition of addiction so that the affected person can understand that their actions and experiences are not a consequence of them being "bad" or weak-willed individuals, but is the consequence of a fairly clearly defined condition. A condition for which there is no cure, but for which there is a solution. Once out of denial, and having surrended to the reality of their addiction and the fact that they need help, the person is ready to attempt the solution. A teenager to an adult may fight harder to avoid surrender, especially if compared to the adult they have little to lose in the way of an established career and a family of their own. One has to appeal to their values an ensure that all those who genuinely care about them speak to them with one voice. This provides the security that closes the doors on efforts to sneak their way out of the problem. The rest comes down to plain, hard work on themselves and coming into acceptance of themselves, difficult but do-able

1. It requires permanent abstinence from habit-forming drugs

2. The willingness to explore the possibility of finding a higher power

3. The surrendering of EGO to this guidance of power (not necessarily a religious deity)

4. Willingness to undertake regular"inner housecleaning" - A rigorously honest self-examination with the help of others or a higher power

5. Willingness to make amends where possible and appropriate

6. Willingness to share one's own experience for the benefit of others and oneself

info source:

Odyssey Magazine-Peter Powis-working with addiction for 20 years

Weekend Argus Article