Today we take a look at one of the ills affecting out society on a daily basis, drug addiction.
Drug addiction is an actual disease, although some people might argue that it is not. It is chronic and often relapsing, affecting the brain and causing compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the drug addict and those around them. Drug addiction is in actuality a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person’s self-control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time create an intense impulse to take drugs.
Persons are often times faced with the decision to quit cold turkey or lose every thing they have and because this disease is so debilitating, most persons end up suffering from the latter.
The issue is not that persons do not want to quit, but they do not know where to find or how to access the right treatment. Nor do some believe that they are suffering from an illness, hence they do not think that they need treatment. It must be noted that this is a disease and it can be treated. Treatment is also very easy to find.
A visit to the Department of Psychiatry at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and a talk with one of the physicians there is the first step to getting the help you need. Don’t wait!
