Drug Addiction and Drug Addicts: Bad People or Sick People?

Decades ago, there was "no moral middle ground" when it came to drug abuse. The majority didn't even consider abusing drugs and the drug abusers were disregarded in terms of mainstream society. 

"Drug abuse was demonized in the 1930's until just recently," comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia. "Now we have come full circle and certain philosophies contend that drug addiction is nothing but a 'brain disease' and really the drug addict has no choice but to be addicted. This approach leads adequately addressing the problem.

"Drug addicts often commit acts they themselves realize are morally reprehensible. Does this mean they have bad genes that led to addiction? This theory does not open the door for any kind of sensible solution and denies hope of recovery.  At Narconon Drug Rehab in GA we promote that addiction begins with  in an attempt to solve the problem and the solution becomes the problem.

"By the same token, an addict's reasoning powers have been minimized by drug abuse, so does this mean they are completely off the hook morally? No, they, more than anyone else, have to live with the consequences of their decisions, which often leads them to more drug abuse because they feel so bad about themselves.

"The solution to drug addiction has to be embrasive in nature: the physical cravings and physical damage has to be addressed before any valid treatment will help, and at this point a drug rehab treatment that emphasizes responsibility  for one's actions can be quite effective.

"Our experiences show that trying to counsel an addict going through drug withdrawal doesn't work. Could I teach somebody to speak a foreign language if they have a terrible headache? Of course not. So trying to get someone to reason on why they shouldn't do drugs while they are in physical and emotional pain is often pointless.

"Our experiences also show that the drug addict or alcoholic is usually an intelligent and most often creative person with much hope for the future. This 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."

Drugs are essentially a pain-killer. They cover up 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. Narconon understand the reason why someone becomes an addict. We know why it so difficult to get off drugs and stay off them. We understand the reason, and thus, we have the solution."

What must be understood is the bio-chemical aspects of drug addiction and the fact that something called "metabolites" are produced after taking a drug and are stored in the body long after one has stopped using drugs. Metabolites are a powerful source and reason for cravings. They are a key in the riddle of why addicts who stop using the drug revert to using them again.

Cravings can be so intense and uncomfortable that it induces the drug addict to commit acts such as stealing from one's own family in order to get the drug. Addicts do things they normally wouldn't do, without an addiction factor. These misdeeds make it even more difficult for the addict to face and confront the situation. The addict's sense of self worth and respect are reduced to a state of complete confusion. Introversion occurs, and the addict's sense of self reduces further. This perpetuates the desire for more drugs. Physically, the person feels hopelessly addicted. Faced with the penalty of extreme discomfort, stopping drug abuse seems impossible. Emotionally, the addict is ruthlessly robbed of his sense of self worth.

The addict is caught in a trap. It is a trap that appears inescapable unless effective intervention handles the condition. That means both the metabolites are flushed clean from the body and that the person's self-worth and identity is rehabilitated through effective social education.

Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia has the solution.

Call Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia at 1-877-413-3073.

Copyright © 2008 Narconon of Georgia Inc. (www.drugsno.com) All rights reserved. Narconon and the Narconon Logo are trademarks and service marks owned by the Association for Better living and Education International and are used with its permission. Narconon of Georgia is a non-profit 501© public benefit corporation.