DAIRY OF AN ADDICT
I’M AN
ADDICT!!!
The truth in
that statement stared me bluntly in the face. I am a responsible, thirty
something year old perfectly-in-control-adult with an addiction! The evident
contradiction in my view of myself quickly made me grab a dictionary to find
the definition of the word “addict”.
ad·dict
tr.v. ad·dict·ed, ad·dict·ing,
ad·dicts
1. To cause to become
physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance: The thief was addicted to cocaine.
2. To occupy (oneself)
with or involve (oneself) in something habitually or compulsively: The child was addicted to video games.
The example to
the first definition, made me shake my head in refusal that the term may apply
to me, although I clearly refused to give a second glance to the definition
itself, least I be tempted to agree it may apply. The second definition however was difficult
to escape from. Summarily, I believe
many an addict has refused to look beyond their obvious enjoyment of the
substance of their addiction.
For me, it has
been easy to admit my addiction (although, I never really will term it so)
maybe because, I’ve always told myself, I could get off it whenever I chose
to. Really, it is only now that I’m
realizing that I’ve been hooked unto this for over 14years now. Wow!!! That’s a long time.
At this point,
I pause for a while, wondering. How many
addicts go this long without realizing that they are addicts? Addiction is
researched to be one of the most costly public health problems in the United
States[1]. And I bet the reason for this is because it
takes a pretty long time for people to accept an addiction and seek the
necessary help, by which time it is often difficult to help.
The truth of the matter is, until an addiction begins to
affect the addict’s social abilities, it is really no ones problem. Close relations, including spouse have lived
with addicts for years, without necessarily having an issue with the substance
abuse until it becomes an interference of some sort in the relationship. Once this occurs the cost of managing the
addiction spills over to not only close relations, but to the society in
general. In the USA alone, the economic
cost of substance abuse exceeds $414 billion, with health
care costs attributed to substance abuse estimated at more than $114 billion[2].
Enough with the statistics.
Let’s get back to resolving my addiction.
I am facing the truth in my life now. I’m using the ‘A’ word on myself, and it's a
really big deal. At this point, I am
ready to admit that I’m an addict, and to take whatever help I can, to get off
my addiction. Trust me, its not easy to
get to this point and the least society can do is to help any addict who gets
to this point with whatever help they can give.
Addiction is real; most of us are addicted to one thing or
the other in our lives. It might not be
obvious, and we can get away with no one ever realizing it. The effects might not even be visible, to you,
and to the people around. But trust me, it will hurt you.
Once it is a habit, check it! What do your habits do? What do they take you away from? Are you okay discussing them with anyone or
would you rather not? How long have they been habits?
It’s important to answer the above questions. Once you do, you may just get to this point
as well. When you realize you’re an
ADDICT! And you need help!!! So…
“My name is Araba Opoku Gyamfi. I am a Coca Cola Addict. I have been for the past 14years but I’m
ready to get off it now. I would need
everyone’s help to do so. I really hope
you can help. Thank you.”
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