The Cycle of Addiction

The cycle of Addiction is seemingly never ending. It seems to constrict this mortal coil relentlessly. It appears to be unstoppable. In 1996 the NHSDA* reported that an estimated 13.0 million Americans were currently using illicit drugs. It seems to be a problem that has seeped into every facet of the American culture.

Typically, not one of us intends to become a drug addict or alcoholic. But, often many of us do. Addicts do not set out to destroy themselves and everyone and everything in their path. These things are an effect of the cycle of addiction.

The addict lies to everyone, things start missing around the house, the dishonesty conveyed is proportionate to the severity of the addiction, but these things are all apparent to the person living with an addict in their life. Our experiences show that the drug addict or alcoholic is usually an intelligent and most often creative person with much hope for the future, which only adds to the calamity of their downfall. As the addict slips down the spiral, their loved ones try to deny the problem exists, sometimes for years. This is a part of the vicious cycle of addiction.

The person usually enters into this dangerous affliction because they attempt to compensate for some personal deficiency or life situation. They are depressed, unhappy or incapable of dealing with their life situations. It could be as simple as the rejection of a significant other, the loss of a loved one, or as complex as a major life crisis. This causes the person to seek "help" in the form of drugs or alcohol. Thus, the cycle of addiction begins.

Drugs are essentially a pain-killer. They avert emotional and physical pain providing the user with a temporary and illusionary escape from life. When a person is unable to cope with some aspect of their reality and is introduced to drugs they feel they have perhaps solved the problem itself.

The more a person uses drugs or alcohol, the more inflated the problem becomes. More problems are created by their use. This becomes the center of their focus. Soon enough the person feels the need to use consistently, and will do anything to get high.

They are now caught in the cycle. The person begins to display the physiological symptoms of addiction. They become difficult to communicate with, withdrawn and begin to exhibit the strange behaviorism associated with addiction.

The more the person uses to counter this effect, the larger the burden of his guilt becomes. This results in a discontented, depressed, and desperate individual.

Their use begins to affect their personal relationships, their job, their bank account, and anything of previous value to the addict. Now the person's entire focus becomes centered on getting, using and getting more drugs, regardless of the cost. They sacrifice everything to avoid the pain of withdrawal.