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Addiction...a Growing Problem
I was lucky growing up. At least, I guess it was part luck, and perhaps it was part of me being who I am. I never ever smoked a cigarette. I didn't ever drink too much until I reached college, and then only on a few occasions and I never was approached by anyone offering me illegal drugs, nor did I have a desire to seek them out.
I had a grandmother who was virtually a chain smoker. I hated the way it smelled, the way the nicotine yellowed her fingers and her teeth and the way everything about her smelled of cigarettes. My parents always told me that if I wanted to try a cigarette, they would go out and buy me a pack and let me light up. I never had any desire to take them up on their offer (that tactic doesn't work with all children, but it worked with me...that and my natural aversion to the stuff).
I have family members who struggle with alcoholism. As a person with Native American heritage, I know that the risks of becoming addicted to alcohol are high, so I always tried never to turn to alcohol to make me feel better. There were parties that I went to when I drank too much, but if it ever crossed my mind that I was thinking about a drink because I was feeling down or stressed, I walked away. When I was in high school and college, I thought that was enough. As I have read about alcoholism, I have come to realize that it is not just an act of will power. Alcoholism is a disease, just like diabetes or cancer. Some of us are afflicted with us and it can grab hold of us at any time in our life. But my previous actions at least gave me the illustion of control.
Illegal drugs held no appeal. Maybe it was because I heard just enough about them to know that taking them just once could be enough to screw up my entire life. Maybe it was because I was just happy with my life the way it was and didn't feel the need to enhance it, but I had absolutely no interest in experimenting with them.
So was I lucky or was it just my personality? I have other things I am addicted to. Chocolate for instance. My weight would lead credence to the fact that I am addicted to food. I definitely eat more than I should. Sometimes I am addicted to work. I get started with something and I don't want to stop until it is complete and I feel immense satisfaction at that completion.
Regardless of the reason that I have managed to steer clear of many addictions, it is becoming increasingly clear in our society that more and more people struggle with this issue. Thank goodness that they can get help in the form of addiction treatment in rehabilitation facilities. But it is important as family members that we do not ignore the signs. We must be vigilant so that we can steer our loved ones in the right direction before the substance (whatever that substance may be) takes over their lives. Because an addicted person often can't help themselves.
I ache over some of these young female celebrities that have been in the news in recent years. Not only do I ache for them, for the pressure they must be under and for the way their addictions are ruining their lives, but it makes me worry about the role models being set before my children. I pray that as a country, we will be able to find better ways to fill the voids within us...ways that don't involve addictive substances (illegal or otherwise).
