Canadian, Oklahoma 10/21/2009 11:27:53 PM
Economic Hardships Can Increase Addiction
Economic Hardships Can Increase Addiction
Economic downturns can be frightening to everyone, but there are healthy ways of getting through them - from engaging in activities such as positive thinking, supportive relationships, to seeking help when needed from health professionals. However, if a person is already addicted to drugs and begins feeling the pressures of paying the rent, the car payment, putting the food on the table, the credit card bill, etc., etc, the overwhelming need to escape from these realities will be foremost in their mind. The answer to all their problems, from financial to personal, will be to take their drug of choice to escape. As the problems mount, more of that drug will be needed for escape.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in September 2009 that since December of 2007 the number of unemployed persons has increased by 7.6 million to 15.1 million, with the unemployment rate doubling to 9.8 percent. Not surprisingly many families are living paycheck to paycheck trying to figure a way to stay afloat much less get ahead in these hard times.
With the economy down the logical action to take would be to tighten the belt and cut down on unneeded expenses such as eating out, going to the movies or buying those new clothes you want but do not need. Sadly, for an addict, drugs are considered a need. An addict feels they must have the drug to cope with life and depending on the drug, not go through a painful physical withdrawal. As times get harder, more and more of the drug is needed to escape no matter how much more is needed to be spent on the drug or on how that money is procured.
“Before I went to rehab I spent every penny I could put my hands on to buy more and more drugs. I lost my job due to testing positive for drugs and told myself ‘never again’. Yet I continued to put the drugs before finding employment, putting food on the table for my family and paying any bills. I just know I woke up every morning with every intention of finding a job and instead would find myself doing whatever it took, be it lying ,cheating or stealing from family and friends to get money so I could get more drugs,” said Joe Harper, graduate of the Narconon Arrowhead drug rehabilitation program.
“This story is all too familiar,” said Rebecca Pool, C.A.D.C. (Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor) of Narconon Arrowhead, one of the country’s leading residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. “Many of our clients say even knowing they might lose a job or family due to their addiction, they just could not stop. The last thing they wanted to do is take more drugs but the drugs had turned into the solution to take away the pain from all the problems they needed to face in their life. Their sole focus becomes getting more drugs despite losing employment, family and self respect. This is where the Narconon program steps in and gives the individual the life skills and tools to live a drug-free life and the ability to make the right choices that will help them achieve their goals and dreams they had before addiction entered their life.”
If someone you know is struggling with a drug and/or alcohol addiction, contact Narconon Arrowhead at 1-800-468-6933 or visit our website at http://www.stopaddiction.com/index.php?option=com_myblog&Itemid=11274&lang=en&show=Economic-Hardships-Can-Increase-Addiction.html
