Drug Addiction Cycle

It seems that the cycle of addiction never ends and seems unstoppable. No matter what race, sex, or religion it seems also that drug addiction has touched every part of our culture. It is reported that around 13 million Americans today are abusing drugs and or alcohol. Not one of us intends to become a drug addict or alcoholic, but, often many of us do. Addicts do not set out to destroy their lives or to hurt their families and friends this is just a part of the effect of the cycle of addiction.

Theft, lies, and the never ending dishonesty conveyed is equalled to the severity of the addiction. In our experience it is shown that a addict can be well thought of, creative, smart, and have so much to offer but they can never get past getting the next high. The use of drugs or alcohol becomes obsessive to the addict. The addicted person is trapped. Whatever problem he was initially trying to solve by using drugs or alcohol fades from memory. At this point, all he can think about is getting and using drugs more drugs. He loses the ability to control his usage and disregards the horrible consequences of his actions. 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 drug addiction.

The more he uses drugs and alcohol, the guiltier he will feel, and the more depressed he will become. He will sacrifice his personal integrity, his relationships with friends and family, his job, his savings, and anything else he may have in an attempt to get more drugs. The drugs and getting “high” are now the most important things in his life. His relationships and job performance will go drastically downhill.

He now seeks drugs both for the reward of the “pleasure” they give him, and also to avoid the mental and physical horrors of drug and alcohol withdrawal. Ironically, the addict’s ability to get “high” from the alcohol or drug gradually decreases as his body adapts to the presence of foreign chemicals. He must take more and more, not just to get an effect but often just to function at all.

At this point, the addict is stuck in a vicious downward spiral. The drugs he abuses have changed him both physically and mentally. He has crossed an invisible and intangible line. He is now in the thrawls of drug addiction or alcoholism.