Business
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
When a person is considered to be chemically dependent, it means that he has lost the power and authority over his own life and moods. They might stop temporarily from using the mood-altering chemicals, but they cannot stay away from it. Even if the person claims to have a lot of resistance and will-power, still it would be difficult to quit it. It involves many risks like being in a bad relationship with friends and family, being neglected at workplace due to anti-social behavior, always being under observation and checking by police, being labeled as the bad guy among family members and many other such risks.
This term refers to the habit of being addicted to some chemical. It is also sometimes called as being addicted or chemically dependent upon a drug or chemical for mood alteration. A person who is suffering from being chemically dependent cannot stop drinking or eating the particular drug for mood alteration. Such people rely upon the chemical drug despite of serious harmful issues related to health, society, religion, law and environment. It is such a disease that it does not care for age, gender, caste, religion or socio-economic status. It progresses with the passage of time and can be really harmful if it is not treated properly with full care (DRA, 2014).
DENIAL OF BEING CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT
Usually a drug addict never admits that they are having a drug abuse problem. They keep denying it. Denial becomes the initial stage of chemical dependency. It is also considered to be a major hurdle in recovery.
Denial is a secret powerful aspect of chemical dependency as it assures the person that they do not have any problem. If a chemically dependent person denies it, then they cannot be engaged into a recovery and treatment process. Doctors and medicine experts cannot work on their patients’ problems unless they accept that it exists (Johnson, 2013).
DRUG ADDICTIONS
Furthermore, I am going to focus upon one of the major issues in chemical dependency which is of drug addictions. The person who is a drug addict is emotionally dependent upon the usage of a particular drug. Although recovery from this disease is quite complex, but still it can be slightly cured and prevented if it is diagnosed at an early stage.
Sadly, many drug addicts believe that if they can quit taking the particular drug or alcohol, they will be fine and free. They assume that it’s quite easy to get back to normal life routine. It is not as easy as it sounds. A person must make lifestyle changes in personal and inter-personal relationships. It may take time but most professionals and recovering addicts assure that it is a life-long process but totally worth the efforts (DRA, 2014).
WHY PEOPLE BECOME DRUG ADDICTS?
Sometimes drug addictions are a result of dual diagnosis. An individual may start using a medicine with mood-altering chemicals to cope with a difficult life situation or some psychiatric illness. The chemical used in such medicine may provide temporary relief but in reality they do not correct the patients’ basic emotional issues. This is also known as ‘self-medication’. It can easily lead to addiction because the patient starts taking the medicine on a daily basis.
SOCIAL RISKS OF BEING A DRUG ADDICT
Drug addiction doesn’t only affect the addict but also the surrounding family, friends, employers and society as a whole (Johnson, 2013).
MARRIAGE/RELATIONSHIPS
If the addict is married, the relationship is really hard to handle. The person may have changed from a previous cooperative personality to one who is always moody, violent and rude. It is difficult for the partner to deal with their better half. It becomes even worse if children are also involved. It is really depressing for them to see their parent as an addict.
FAMILY LIFE
Rest of the family members feel ashamed of facing relatives and try not to be along the addict. They are always bothered about what others might think of them.
EDUCATION
Education is ruined if a person gets into addiction as he might not be motivated to study. Other class fellows will start avoiding him due to his behavior with others.
ECONOMIC RISKS OF BEING A DRUG ADDICT
EMPLOYMENT
If there is a drug addict as a colleague in office, other employees may be concerned about their unacceptable levels of behavior. He might have changed from being a punctual and efficient employee to someone who is always late for work. This results in the employee losing their job which will ultimately affect their family life. Losing a job means no income which can put strain on their relationship (Johnson, 2013).
FINANCIAL ISSUES
The costs of drugs may not just affect the addict but also their family, friends and society. There is a loss of financial resources which the person could have controlled and used as a saving for future use.
LEGAL RISKS OF BEING A DRUG ADDICT
Drug addicts may ultimately turn to crime for paying for their addictions. This may start from stealing money from family or friends. They might also include employees or neighbors later on. Besides this, people who have adopted drug lifestyle tend to be of anti-social behavior so police have to keep an eye on such semi-conscious addicts.
REFERENCES
Johnson, B. (2013).Social Effects of an Addiction - Drug Addiction. Retrieved on 12 September 2014 from: http://www.medic8.com/drug-addiction/social-effects.html
DRA, (2014). Chemical Dependence or Dependency. Retrieved on 12 September 2014 from: http://www.draonline.org/chemical_dependency.html
