Human beings are mainly hedonistic in nature. Addiction is part of human nature. In the pursuit of pleasure one runs after a tomorrow that soon becomes yesterday and the here and now is forgotten.
Addiction is defined:
A chronic progressive behavioural pattern of an individual
to seek pleasure or to reduce pain,
not a necessity in social, religious or medicinal context,
has a tendency to grow in intensity, frequency &/ duration,
there is inability to reduce or refrain from the behaviour,
when tried, there is distinct physical psychological pain,
that is reduced by repeating the same act
&
This behaviour directly causes impairment of personal, interpersonal, social and spiritual life of an individual.
Patients of chemical dependency are intellectually superior, emotionally fragile and socially manipulative.
Not all people who consume substances get addicted.
Three Distinctly Noticeable Phases in alcoholism/Drug Addiction.
- Early Phase
- Middle Phase
- Chronic Phase
Early Phase
- Increased Tolerance: 1st warning sign. The same Pleasurable feeling obtained earlier with one or two drinks /uses is not reached with the same quantity . Eg. A patient told me “I started drinking at home and realized I needed more alcohol to get the same high as earlier”
- Blackouts: This is not falling unconscious. During a black out, one may go through activities like walking, talking, even driving a vehicle ‘apparently normally’, with NO recollection of them afterwards.
- Preoccupation with Drinking/Using: Even when not drinking/using, one makes plans how to obtain the next fix or drink- one can be completely preoccupied by these thoughts.
- Avoiding Talk About Alcohol/Drugs: Despite the preoccupation, person feels totally under control and does not feel the need to share or talk about this craving with anybody.
Middle Phase
- Loss of Control: Initially, there is a loss of control over the amount of alcohol/drug consumed. One gets drunk inappropriately at parties etc. thus losing control over the time, place and occasion of drinking/using .
- Justifying Usage: Remorse arises as a result of irresponsible consumption and resultant behavioural embarrassments. Using is justified citing various reasons unhappy married life to stressful job to pressure of friends to money problems etc. In an attempt to stave off guilt, reasons are given, but drinking/using continues.
- Grandiose Behavior: talking and spending big more than one can afford.. Deals are signed, properties written off marriages done under the influence of substance. Eg. A person wrote off his property for a pittance under the influence of alcohol.
- Temporary Abstinence: drinking/using has lead to problems, at home and at office due to recurrent absenteeism. Risk- losing one’s job and perhaps one’s marriage. Makes the person abstain for a while just to quieten things at home and work.
- Changing the Pattern: Some change what they drink/use; arrack to brandy, whiskey to beer. Change of place or time. E.g. A person felt he had a problem because he drank only beer. He felt he had no alcohol problem. He felt half a case of beer daily was consuming too much fluid so he switched to scotch and soda Symptoms got worse he switched to whiskey and water; Symptoms increased, he eliminated “water”. This is the nature of Addictive Logic.
Chronic Phase
Noticeable physical, mental and social deterioration.
Binge Drinking: Drinks/uses continuously for days together, does not eat nor involve oneself in any other activity.Each binge leaves one shaken, frightened and guilt-ridden; Soon enough one goes on another binge.
- Ethical Breakdown : borrows, lies,steals to keep liquor/drug in supply.
- Paranoia/Hallucinations: Begins to suspect people around with little reason. Suspecting will be robbed..Hallucinations Eg. A patient felt if someone is looking at him he is there to kill him.
- Lack of Motor Co-Ordination: The next morning hangover one feels miserable, body shaking. To feel “ normal” one has to down a few drinks or use drugs. [utara]The drink/drug that made one feel better once – now- the ‘choice’ to use is taken away and ‘compulsion’ and ‘need’ to use to avoid pain takes over.
- Eventually all organs lose their normal functionality and get damaged. Mood swings result, control over rationalized ways of behaving are lost due to the substance. Those who do not stop alcohol/drugs even at this stage get mentally ill or die a slow, painful death.
Thus the transformation from Dr.Jekyll to Mr.Hyde is complete.
Anatta Humanversity is a catalyst in growing towards life beyond Substances.
Anatta Humanversity Pvt.Ltd.
Contact Person- Ms. Vandana Hiranandani +91 9967334000
Website- www.anatta.in