Delphi Behavioral Health Group Nisha PurohitContributing Author, Rightantra He never drank in high school, nor did he experiment with drugs socially. Alcohol. Drugs. Cocaine. Marijuana. Tobacco. You might have already guessed what we are heading to. If as a kid you knew that consumption of these substances is a ‘bad habit’, and as a young adult you knew/know it would mean welcoming addiction which could lead to terrifying illness, then you are well aware of the ‘rights’ and ‘wrongs’ involved. But, is awareness enough to resist yourself? At least once, if not more, is how it starts. Sometimes for pleasure, at times because of peer pressure, or because your favourite sitcom has glamourised it being cool.
Allow me to introduce Bobby. Bobby never drank in high school, nor did he experiment with drugs socially. But, under peer pressure while in college, he attended a party and started drinking. When he was struggling to stay awake to prepare for a Physics exam, a friend introduced him to some stimulants. The result was stunning! He began consuming that drug, rather innocently, as a booster. Only to realise later that he was addicted to those drugs, and social parties and alcohol had become a norm. As a result, he started facing major emotional changes that included irritated behaviour, dramatic mood changes; he started experiencing physical changes such as red eyes, insomnia, unusual weight gain, and weight loss, illness, memory problems, hypertension. Bobby recovered. One of the recovery aspects being that he had a supportive family that helped him seek professional treatment to quit his drug addiction. What is addiction? Addiction is a chronic brain disease, which means that, when someone consumes drugs or alcohol for a long period, it causes significant fundamental disruptions in their brain chemistry. It leads to a strong desire to do something that is difficult to control or stop, which gradually develops into a habit that one would categorise as ‘bad’. If professional therapy is not sought soon enough, the way addiction rewires a person's brain can often be irreversible. Even if you do not experience severe physical, emotional, social, or financial consequences from substance abuse, you may battle with drug addiction, and this addiction will most certainly worsen with time. There are evidence-based therapies available, so you get assistance before it's too late. Delphi’s article guides us on the role of the family in active substance abuse and addiction, and how to support a family member going through drug withdrawal. Furthermore, Delphi’s articles help us decipher the following questions, what is substance abuse? Are there any early signs of addiction in children? What are the signs & symptoms, and treatment?
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