Fentanyl: The Modern Plague
Proverbs 14:12 What you think is the right road may lead to death. (GNT)
Drug overdose is a leading cause of death in the United States. Drug deaths nationwide hit a new record in 2022. 109,680 people died as the fentanyl crisis continued to deepen, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is the reason why August 31st has been designated as International Overdose Awareness Day
How does someone become addicted?
Addiction can be better understood by breaking it down into four C’s:
- Control
- Compulsions
- cravings
- Consequences
1. Addiction negatively impacts self-control.
One of the main characteristics of addiction is that it interferes with the part of the brain that regulates self-control. This is why many people that struggle with substance use disorder (SUD) have a lack of control or a loss of control over substance use.
2. Addiction causes compulsive behavior.
Another characteristic of addiction is compulsive behavior, which is an overwhelming impulse to behave a certain way. Sometimes, addictions and compulsions are understood as separate experiences. The difference is that addiction is a persistent need to use a substance and that compulsion is an impulse to act. However, compulsive behavior typically begins first and can become an addiction.
3. Addiction causes cravings.
Once the brain and body are exposed to substance use, they will seek out substances to achieve the desired results. When substances are used repeatedly, the body begins to normalize substance use. Eventually, the brain and body rely on substance use to feel “normal.”
4. Addiction produces consequences.
Finally, addiction is known to produce significant consequences, in all aspects of the individual’s life. The reason is that when addiction develops, substance-using and substance-seeking behaviors are constant behaviors.
Social consequences of addiction
Socially, addiction often leads to legal problems, jail time, job loss, and dropping out of school. Motivation to complete expected or daily activities is reduced significantly after substance use begins to impact’s someone’s life. Additional social consequences include troubled relationships and other interpersonal problems.
Mental Consequences of Addiction
In addition to a loss of self-control, addiction can cause problems with memory, attention, and other decision-making abilities. Many people with addictions also experience an inability to regulate emotions and a loss of interest in hobbies and other activities they once enjoyed. There is increased irritability and hopelessness and the development of other mental health disorders, especially depression.
Physical Consequences of Addiction
Substance use is not only toxic for the brain, but it is also poisonous for the rest of the body. Substance use weakens the immune system, which can make an individual more susceptible to disease. It also interferes with an individual’s appetite and sleeping patterns, which often leads to malnourishment. There are also drug-specific consequences, for instance smoking marijuana, irritates the lungs and can contribute to chronic breathing problems.
What Can Be Done?
Get Treatment, a good treatment program for substance use disorder should offer:
- Individual, group, and family sessions
- Identifying and understanding the nature of addiction, becoming drug-free, and preventing relapse
- Type of care can be either outpatient, inpatient or long-term residential.
For persons addicted to opioids, detoxification or withdrawal therapy is necessary. This allows them to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as possible.
Drug overdoses are preventable, get help today!
©Wanda Currie
Vision of Recovery believes in and practices a non-denominational Christian perspective to Addiction Recovery/Mental Health Care. Vision of Recovery integrates biblically based information with coaching and counseling interventions to treat the whole person: Spiritually, Emotionally, and Physic