Addiction is an ever-growing problem in society and it’s sad to note that the numbers aren’t decreasing. Substance abuse and addiction are a powerful enemy, taking away lives, relationships and futures in a matter of minutes. People in the grips of addiction are usually in a state of desolation, unable to understand the magnitude of their condition. But what lies beneath that are the feelings of guilt, despair and helplessness that come with struggling with addiction, an invisible force that threatens to consume them and everything around them.
Struggling with addiction means watching as your life spirals out of control, with all of your hopes and dreams slowly but surely becoming obliterated by addiction. It’s a very difficult struggle to describe but the pain and suffering are extremely real. A person with an addiction may feel that they are alone in this struggle and have nobody to turn to for help. They may even feel ashamed and embarrassed about it – feeling like a failure or an outcast in comparison to other people who don’t have that same problem.
The physical effects of addiction can be incredibly difficult to manage and in some cases, it can even be life-threatening. Depending on the type of substance that is being abused, there may be problems with various body functions, digestive issues, nausea, headaches, irregular blood pressure, weight gain/loss, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and/or respiratory issues. These physical ailments can be constantly presenting themselves and make daily life a living nightmare. It’s very difficult to adequately function psychologically and emotionally with such physical hardships.
Once addiction takes over, a person can become entirely focused on obtaining the substance they are addicted to and the consequences that follow can be disastrous. Deep financial debt can rack up, relationships with family and loved ones can become estranged, jobs may be lost, and mental and physical health can rapidly decline. It’s a very overwhelming situation to be in – the addiction takes control and it’s up to the individual to regain power over their life.
The only way to really fight and win over addiction is to find the right kind of help as soon as possible. Admitting defeat and asking for help is never easy, but it is an integral part of any kind of recovery process. Addicts must be willing to accept the fact that recovery will involve taking responsibility for their life and they must be willing to make changes that will lead them down the right path.
Surrounding yourself with a strong support system is an invaluable resource and should be considered essential in the fight against an addiction. Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, therapy, volunteering, sobriety groups, and working with mentors in your community are all great sources of support. By having one or more of these connections, an individual struggling with addiction has a greater chance of achieving recovery and leading a healthy and successful life.
It’s easy to forget how serious and debilitating addiction can be, and how the struggles associated with it can threaten one’s entire life. But with courage, hope, and the right kind of help, recovery is possible. No matter how dire the situation may appear, with the right guidance, one can overcome addiction and find optimism for the future.