Hey friends,
I was going through some pictures recently on Instagram by a photographer, Adrian Steirn. He got up close and personal with some guys that were shooting up heroin. It was a scary, thought provoking picture and it made me think long and hard about one of the silent killers of our generation - addiction.
I've been thinking about how desensitised we've become to the issue and the fact that many people don't understand what it takes for people living with an addiction problem to try and give it up or to live as a recovering substance abuser. The relapses, the shame they face from society, the frustration, the mental health issues and everything in-between.
It's become so easy for us to play God and judge harshly on what we think is not okay or is a moral dilemma in our books. This is a very sensitive topic to many people out there, so I urge you to have an open heart when reading. There are many types of substance abuse, as we are all very well aware of but alcohol remains the primary use of substance in South Africa as per the SACENDU Phase 44 Report that was put together in April 2019.
The above document breaks it down per province and also speaks of patients that have been admitted into treatment centres with a dual diagnosis. It broke my heart going through each table and realising how much bigger the issue is. I am touching on alcoholism today because I've been directly affected by it for most of my life.
We're now able to buy alcohol from Monday to Friday in South Africa since level 1 lockdown has been implemented, which for most is great because we're going into silly season and it takes the edge off from our daily routines that we've now become accustomed to. All fine. The use of alcohol is what is actually the issue here.
It's always been about "tolerance." Thus, having more than the moderate amount of alcohol on occasion, constitutes as alcohol abuse. Alcoholism on the other hand, is when a person needs alcohol to carry out their day. They've become so dependent on it that it now becomes part of their everyday ritual. Both harmful, both can lead to many more complications in the body.
It is not uncommon for many people to use alcohol without any long term effects on the body, just cringe worthy memories or for some, absolutely no recollection of anything that happened after they've downed that third tequila. For most of us this is considered a norm over weekend activities with friends and family but for others, the fine line between alcohol abuse and alcoholism has been blurred.
There are so many reasons people use alcohol. To relax a bit, to deal with trauma, to escape from life for a little while. So many reasons. I grew up with an alcoholic dad and for him it was more of an escape from his day at the end of the day. I know a lot of people who do have a drink or two at the end of their work days. I am blessed to have had a great bond with my dad during and still after his treatment. While I still have this time with him I was able to get his take on what it was like as an alcoholic. I hope this helps you or someone you know dealing with alcoholism.
The following is a brief story of his journey concluding with his thoughts on the reasons of addiction in general and alcoholism in particular and his advice.
"I had been drinking heavily for many years, started when I was about 21 years old.
In retrospect, I think the initial carefree attitude alcohol invoked in me was the catalyst for continued drinking. However, in my latter years, the compulsion to consume alcohol was, I believe, more an "addiction compulsion" than looking forward to some relaxed and carefree moments.
Yes, this compulsion to imbibe alcohol became progressively intense; to a point where I was not honestly enjoying it! Oh, I attempted many a time to refrain but the periods of abstinence were extremely short, just a few months or a week!
However, there was this lengthy period of 5 years!! This came about because of influenza that caused a chest infection that put paid to my smoking. I had to have a cigarette whenever I drank alcohol. Amazingly, due to my difficulty with smoking, I lost a substantial pleasure in drinking. Again, amazing how these physical substances placate urges, feelings which fall in the realm of the psyche.
So I gave up alcohol and cigarettes over some five years. During these years I attended a spiritual gathering and learnt meditation. Then came a drastic change of mind! Whilst in the local CBD I walked past a bottle store. Did I seek it?! I cannot remember but I did enter and purchase liquor and cigarettes!! Thus, I began an horrific journey. Gosh! God knows how I prayed for His divine help. This urge to drink was much more intense than my previous escapades. And so it seems I finally received Divine Intervention when I submitted to a rehabilitation programme with Alcoholics Anonymous.
I found their workshops rather spiritual as the process of reading and analysing the contents of the Alcoholics Anonymous text, referred to as the "Big Book" or the alcoholics "Bible". Their fellowship meetings were boring but I enjoyed their workshops.
During all these activities the question of "why do some people get addicted whilst others do not" dawned on me. Alcoholism did not differentiate between educated and uneducated or rich or poor. In fact, the 2 authors of the so called "Big Book" were educated persons. One was a medical doctor and the other was a stockbroker who had a commercial degree and a law degree from university. Both were hopeless alcoholics.
Yes, I am still addicted to cigarette smoking which I believe has damaged me a lot more than alcohol. My respiratory function is almost non-existent but what makes me cling onto the habit? Yes, I do pray for Divine Intervention. None arrived as yet. Well, any curative promise from the medical area appears to be in the doldrums of sciences, especially anything to do with addiction. Oh yes, there are drugs dished out by psychiatrists other medical specialists. How consistently curative are they?
In conclusion, is addiction in general and substance addiction in particular, evidence of a lack of spiritual ingredient or an unidentified yearning in one's being for something that the individual wants in his/her life but lacks self will to achieve it.
There are people that did not achieve great heights in a material sense or evolved into great spiritual beings but refrained from any addiction, let alone substance addiction. Yes, to my mind something went a miss during the infusion of the incorporeal (spirit) with the corporeal (body), that left the individual in a state of limbo; yearning for the missing ingredient but unattainable.
Going "back to basics" will help, I believe. Yes, on the path to our Divine Creator is the beginning to avoid the devilment of our lives by the ever prowling negative force."
If you are reading this and you are going through your journey of addiction I want you to know that you are brave, you are worthy and you are so loved. You're just one click away from making that decision to get the help you need. You are not alone.
Sending love and loads of virtual hugs,
P
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