Some People Were Never Meant to Enjoy a Drink, and That’s Okay

<p>“One drink is too much and a million is never enough”, as the saying goes, and that’s just how some of us are built. Addiction isn’t a marker of weakness or a moral failing; it’s a serious brain disorder that hijacks your reward system and sets fire to people’s lives.</p> <p>In time for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, have a look at the causes, risk factors, and treatment of addiction. Understanding how someone can come under the grip of a substance is vital to overcoming it.</p> <p><strong>The lay of the land. </strong>It’s no secret that addiction lays waste to public health. According to the WHO, over 270 million people use illicit drugs (5.5% of the global population), and 31 million users have an addiction. The issue transcends age, gender, and socioeconomic status.</p> <p>Worldwide, around 500,000 deaths annually are attributable to drug use, while opioid-related deaths have rocketed mortality trends in high-income countries like the US and Canada.</p> <p><strong>Alcohol stands out. </strong>Booze is responsible for around 3 million deaths every year (5.3% of all deaths), making it a prime driver of premature mortality and disability.</p> <p><strong>What distinguishes drugs and alcohol? </strong>In real terms, alcohol most certainly is a drug since it is a psychoactive substance with ripe opportunity for abuse. We often say “drugs and alcohol” to distinguish the two as drugs are typically used to battle an ailment, while alcohol serves cultural and social purposes.</p> <p>Booze is legal, highly normalized, readily available, and can be consumed relatively safely when done responsibly. It nonetheless has a high propensity for addiction in users and is a monstrous plague on the healthcare system. </p> <p><strong>The science of addiction. </strong>Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder that features compulsive drug seeking and use despite the consequences. As opposed to a simple “choice”, addiction is characterized by a complex interplay between genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental components.</p> <p>Whether alcohol, opioids, or stimulants, these substances change the structure and function of the brain by hijacking the reward circuitry, flooding it with dopamine, and messing with decision-making faculties, judgment, and self-control. With time and exposure, these brain changes result in higher tolerance, dependence, and addiction.</p> <figure><img alt="" height="367" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/8ojJ6aTLo7/original.jpg" width="789" /> <figcaption>Drugs of Abuse <em>Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Risk factors. </strong>We aren’t born equal when it comes to addiction as some people are born with a higher chance of getting sucked into the cycle. A person’s genetic predisposition, environmental influences, psychological factors, and early exposure to substances play significant roles in your risk profile.</p> <p>People with a family history of addiction, a history of trauma or mental illness, or a lack of support may be at higher risk. On top of that, the substance in question can make or break your chances of developing an addiction: certain drugs like heroin and meth carry a much higher addiction risk because of their extremely powerful effects on the brain.</p> <p><strong>Impact on health and wellbeing. </strong>We all know that drugs and alcohol can categorically destroy someone’s physical and mental health, along with carrying serious social consequences. </p> <p>Chronic drug abuse is linked to major disorders including:</p> <ul> <li>Liver disease</li> <li>Cardiovascular problems </li> <li>Respiratory disorders</li> <li>Mental health issues (e.g., depression and anxiety)</li> <li>Increased risk of contracting infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis </li> </ul> <p>Addiction ruins relationships, disrupts your ability to do your job, eats through finances, makes people homeless, and fuels criminal behavior.</p> <p><strong>Stigma and treatment barriers. </strong>Addiction has proven to be a particularly difficult form of stigma to shake off. The pervasive and highly destructive nature of addiction makes it hard to tolerate in the eyes of some, with blame and judgment coming for the individual struggling to keep things together.</p> <p>The discrimination, shame, and social isolation derived from stigma make matters worse. Additional barriers such as limited access to treatment, lack of insurance, and a fear of legal repercussions can dismantle an individual’s chances at recovery.</p> <p><strong>Treatment. </strong>The grip of addiction is immense, but with the right resources and support, recovery is possible. Treatment varies depending on a person’s needs, but it usually includes detoxification, counseling, behavioral therapies, medication, and support groups. </p> <p>Recovery doesn’t really have an end date; it’s a cross that must be carried for the remainder of one’s life, but that doesn’t mean the burden doesn’t get easier over time. With ongoing support and a commitment to change, people can regain control over their lives and achieve long-term sobriety.</p> <p><strong>Prevention and education. </strong>“Just say no” is a familiar slogan to readers of a certain age, but prevention and education need to go a lot further than catchy lines. Being educated early on about the risks of drug abuse, developing coping skills, and building resilience can aid in mitigating the chances of addiction later in life.</p> <h2>More on Substance Abuse and Addiction</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/oja82pnt4w-alcohol-use-disorder" target="_blank">Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder) and Its Effect on Health</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/6j498d4cnm-drug-use-and-addiction" target="_blank">Drug Use and Addiction</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/vj6dzk2uzw-stigma-discrimination-and-addiction" target="_blank">Reducing Stigma and Discrimination Against Drug Use</a></li></ul>