Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs and more often than not we think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to.
I remember growing up, every time I saw people smoke I condemned them to hell in my mind, the shisha-smokers were carrying black lungs and they were just waiting to die in my head.
Don’t even talk about “Igbo” beside me, it was a filthy habit and it was inexcusable for me. How hard can life get that you’ll smoke to feel better? I was going to find out, LOL.
In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to.
Explaining addiction to a non-addict is not something simple. It’s hard for non-addicts to understand what addiction is and what it does to the addict. Dependence weakens the body, mind, and lifestyle of those who suffer from the disease, and unless you’ve experienced it personally, it can be hard to understand.
It doesn’t make sense to a lot of non-addicts that addiction is referred to as a “disease” but you don’t just outgrow an addiction as you potentially would a disorder. The fact is that addiction is indeed classified as a disease of the brain and body. The compulsive use of substances despite the health risks and other consequences is a daily struggle for abusers.
In many instances, addicts feel that there is no way of explaining addiction to a non-addict, that there is no way a non-addict can comprehend what they are describing and this is true.
Nigeria can be a terribly frustrating place, and some of us are lucky to be able to hustle and make something decent out of it, some others get tired and they just need an escape.
But we all like to judge don’t we, who doesn’t work hard after all we all have the same 24 hours right? who isn’t going through hard and trying times like we don’t have different thresholds right?
We’re all looking for an escape, and different people find it in different places. It’s easy to call the gladiator lazy when you’re not the one bearing the weight of the shield and sword (i swear to you i feel like this is the most intelligent quote i’ve ever come up with LOL).
And so it starts, a puff or pill for motivation, two for the road, 3 with the boys, 4 because it’s Friday night and you can’t stop going back just because.
It’s high time we confront our collective denial about addictions. It’s time to stop thinking that addicts are screwed up people and start focusing on our culture of addiction. It’s time that we stop fantasising that addicts are the conductors with green teeth and smelly breath, or for example my neighbours back in school that “couldn’t breathe clean air”.
Our friends and families have a vast array of substances they abuse ready and available in their purses, makeup bags, some of which are even painkillers which have been prescribed by their doctors.
It’s time to take note of our own addictive tendencies in the way we “use” salt, sugar, coffee, wine, and even things like searching the Internet, and even exercising. It’s time to stop projecting the problem on the youth and everyone else in the society and take a good look in the mirror.
Most of us are hooked on something, so how many “Judges” aren’t really “addicts” ?
Wow. I love this piece. A lot of people just do not get this thing about addiction. But you have very properly and briefly explained it. Thank you.
PS: I love you, Lily. Huge fan here