News / Health & Wellness
International Addiction
Opium may not be the drug of choice in the U.S., but in rural Afghanistan its popularity is growing and addiction rates are soaring.
The drug problem varies from country to country, with different substances and uses taking the place of primary concern for officials. In the U.S., drugs are often taken recreationally then turn into addiction. In the troubled nation of Afghanistan, drugs are a way of life for many, and addiction is rampant, with little hope for drug treatment.
Afghanistan’s Opium Addiction
A recent report from CNN.com spotlighted the problem of opium addiction in the war-torn country, and the facts were staggering. Parents feed chunks of pure opium to their children to help them sleep and keep them calm so the adults can work. It also quiets the hunger that is often a constant companion in a region where there never seems to be enough food.
Opium Instead of Medical Care
These poor families aren’t educated and aren’t aware of the risks of this dangerous drug. In fact, they pass out opium to the children when they’re sick, using it as a medicine in a place where regular medical care is nonexistent and medicine is too costly. As a result, the cycle of addiction passes through the generations. In fact, babies are often born addicted because parents use opium regularly to ease the pain of long hours doing backbreaking work. The region may be known for its expert carpet weavers and the product they produce, but it’s also earning a reputation for a cycle of addiction passed on through generations.
It can start very early and continue throughout an individual’s lifetime. For years locals have been turning to opium to quiet a baby’s cough, to help get through the day, to ease aches and pains both physical and emotional. And there are treatment options, but the closest government-run drug rehabilitation center has only 20 beds and a handful of staff to deal with the epidemic – and it requires a four-hour drive to reach it.
Drug Rehab
Experts estimate that opium addiction afflicts more than one million Afghans. While addiction is a struggle in any country, here in the U.S. help is just around the corner. If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
