Why did I choose to create the “The Realities of Drug Addiction website?” The answer is quite simple. To honor my son, Alexander who passed away from an accidental overdose and to educate people about addiction with research-based education. Through his battle with addiction, it became obvious that there is a lack of understanding about addiction, which has led to the demoralizing stigma associated with addiction.
We need to STOP the stigma of addiction. It does nothing but hurt the person with addiction. It does not matter if the addiction is to substances, eating, shopping, gambling, or whatever. Addiction is a DISEASE. It is NOT a choice, moral failure, lack of willpower, or a character flaw. Some people will disagree with this so here are some facts.
Fact 1: First, people do not wake up and say “I want to be an addict.” Addiction evolves over time. In many instances, a person does not realize they have an addiction until they try to stop using a drug. This is what happened with Alexander.
Fact 2: How do I know this? The brain changes with addiction. The reward center of the brain becomes hyperactive, while the front part of the brain that controls self-control, decision-making, problem solving, etc. slows down its activity. At the same time chemical imbalances occur in the brain. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, (chemical messengers) is used to send signals of pleasure. When substances are abused, there is an increase in the amount of dopamine that is released causing euphoria or a “high”. However, with regular drug use, less dopamine is produced and transmitted causing a chemical imbalance. If the drug is not taken, dopamine levels drop causing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and powerful, uncontrollable cravings.
Now imagine being rewarded for taking drugs with feelings of intense euphoria, increased confidence, social comfort, etc and then you decide to stop taking drugs. It doesn’t work. Your reward center and the chemical imbalances will make you believe that you cannot survive without your substance. Intense and extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms will occur. It was very difficult for Alexander when he stopped using. Withdrawal symptoms and the uncontrolled cravings made it almost impossible for him to stop his drug use.
Fact 3: Other neurotransmitters can be affected by the type of drug that is taken. Serotonin levels are affected by stimulants (i.e.: Meth, Cocaine,).
Fact 4: Don’t tell a person with addiction to “just stop using drugs”. It doesn’t work!! They CANNOT just stop. The functional brain changes and chemical imbalances will NOT allow this.
Fact 5: A person with addiction will require detox. This typically takes about a week, but can be shorter or longer depending on the drug. Dopamine levels can recover in about 90 days but this could be longer depending on the severity of drug addiction and if the person suffers from depression and anxiety. Alexander had to detox prior to being admitted to an inpatient rehab program. There he got medicines to treat his withdrawal symptoms. It took 3-4 days to detox.