Chemical Dependency – A Disease

Chemical dependency is a primary, chronic disease influenced by genetics, psycho-social, and environmental factors that bring about its manifestations and development.

The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic impaired control over drug use, preoccupation with the drug(s), use of the drug despite adverse negative consequences and distortions in thinking, notably leading to denial. The disease is strongly influenced by genetic vulnerability – inherited or acquired abnormalities in brain chemistry create an altered response to drug, which in turn causes a wide array of physical, psychological, and behavioral problems. Although environmental factors will influence its progression and expression, they are not in any sense causes of addictive usage (dependency).

X – Factor

This is what allows the human body to respond to mood altering drugs with a super physical effect, an unusual or unique way. All chemically dependent persons have an x – factor i.e.

Mood altering drug (chemical) + x-factor + time = Chemical dependency

We call it the x- factor because no one knows exactly why this is true. Many studies have been conducted to address this problem but so far no one can explain why some people become chemically dependent and others do not.

The x factor is a fact of existence for which the dependent person is not responsible; some of us have blue eyes and some of us have brown eyes, some of us have a heart condition or diabetes, and some of us don’t. Likewise, some people who use drugs and alcohol will get addicted to them, and others will not. The above people are not weak willed or lazy rather, their bodies are just different from the rest of ours. In the same way, those of us with the x-factor are not bad, weak-willed, or lazy. Our bodies just respond to alcohol and drugs in a different way. This is what we call physical powerlessness. It cannot be eradicated or changed hence the fact that chemical dependency is incurable. It is an individual’s body chemistry. Once present in the body, the body then develops an allergy towards mood altering drugs. This allergy will always ensure a craving once this person takes any mood-altering drug. This allergic reaction to mood-altering drugs is only limited to the dependent class and not to everyone.

In the mind and world of dependency, obsession, compulsion, and loss of control are always close-by.

Obsession

A continuous thinking about the positive effects of using drugs. When not using the person thinks, plans, and looks forward to using again.

Compulsion

An irrational urge to use the drug to get positive effects even though one knows that it will hurt in the long run. This leads to denial (inability to recognize that there is a problem) and in turn leading to rationalization (blaming other situations and people for problems rather than the drug).

Loss of control

The obsession and compulsion become so strong that one cannot think about anything else. One’s feelings and emotions become stressed and uncomfortable until finally the urge to use is so strong that one cannot resist.

Phases of Chemical Dependency

Phase 1: Pre-addiction phase

A phase marked by social usage of the drug. The users are not hooked to their drug; its mainly occasional relief usage. The use of the drug to deal with stress and increase tolerance warns off the impending danger. “Events(alcoholic/drug-filled) attended lead them to use”.

Phase 2: Prodromal/Premonitory phase

This is the phase where the warning signs of the problem begin to show up. The first warning sign is the occurrence of the memory black out, increase in tolerance, drinking bolstered with excuses, decrease of ability to stop using when others do so, surreptitious drinking, and feelings of guilt, and one is uncomfortable in situations without alcohol/drugs. “Begins to look up for events in order to use”.

Phase 3: Crucial/Basic phase

A phase marked by loss of control over the drug use. It is the phase where the warning signs can now be seen clearly by an outside objective observer. They are persistent in remorse, grandiose and aggressive behavior, efforts to control fail repeatedly, tries geographical escapes, family and friends avoided, loss of other interests, promises and resolutions fail, unreasonable resentments, neglect of food, loss of ordinary willpower, moral deterioration, sneaks drinks/drugs, preoccupied with alcohol/drugs, gulps drinks/drugs, avoids reference to alcohol/drug use, tries periods of forced abstinence , disapproves of others drinking/drug use, hides and protects supply, is dishonest about alcohol/drug use, drinks/uses before and after social occasions, experiences flashes of aggressiveness, devalues personal relationships, sexual drive decreases, and/or quits or loses jobs. It is where the prospect should be motivated to change and if not implemented at this stage, then the person undergoes a series of deteriorations.

Phase4: Chronic Phase

A phase marked by senseless usage; the user uses to live and lives to use. There is a lot of deterioration in this phase. Tremors and early morning drinks, physical deterioration, impaired thinking, indefinable fears, obsession with drinking, alibis exhausted, vague spiritual desires, unable to initiate action, lengthy drinking/drug binges occur, drinking with inferiors, exhibits unreasonable behavior, unable to work, drinks/uses alone (secretly decrease in alcohol tolerance, is admitted to hospital, losses family and friends, has persistent remorse, feelings of complete defeat admitted.

The Social Implications

To most people these are the only noticeable consequences of chemical dependency. Those close to the chemically dependent and even the chemically dependent themselves use these as the “yard stick” for chemical dependency. But, in most cases, they do not openly admit alcohol or drugs are involved. The most outstanding are:

• Casualties: Fatal accidents (road, fire, falling, drowning) suicide, and/or sexually transmitted infections (STI), especially acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

• Family abuse: Spouse and child abuses, divorces, murder, assault, court cases, street children, waste and/or destruction of property.

• Bankruptcy and loss of property: Drugs drain away the whole economy of the chemically dependent person.

• Crime: Theft, assault, violence, aggressive and arrogant behavior.

• Taboos: A rising from going against traditional and customary norms – a stigma.

To most people, if any of the above are not clearly noticed in a person from his drug use then the person is definitely not chemically dependent. That is an erroneous conclusion which is always arrived at because of the ignorance about chemical dependency

Biomedical Consequences

There are at least 38 well-documented complications of repeated and excessive drug use. 13 medical problems that could result from a single intoxication and over 8 psychiatric complications of excessive drug use. These are not accepted at first hand by either the doctor or the patient himself. These are lots of rationalizations such as, “my medical problems are genuine and have nothing at all to do with my drug use”. Such attitudes make it difficult if not impossible for the victim to relate his medical problems to his drug use. Some drug related mortality and complications appear in some vital body organs such as such as brain, heart, liver, stomach, intestines etc. Poor pregnancy outcome from heavy drug use by pregnant women. Children born of such mothers suffer mental and growth deficiency. Stillbirths and infant mortality also occur. Acutely drunk people (men and women) have their sexual appetites easily aroused but their performances are poor. The drug use reduces the life span of the victim by 10 – 15 years.

The Immediate Family of the Chemically Dependent

The immediate family of the alcoholic or drug addict suffers equally if not more than the alcoholic or drug addict. While the addict is drunk/high with his drug, his family is drunk/high with the consequences of his addiction and dependence.

In trying to cope bio-medically, most close family members may suffer medical complications which can be fatal if not taken care of in good time and successfully e.g. High blood pressure, ulcers, depression, stress etc. Some suffer from family abuse, assault, isolation, negligence, rejection, confusion etc.

He/she may become co-dependent (co-alcoholic/co-drug addict) to let the behavior and suffering of the alcoholic or drug addict affect him/her. That is, to be obsessed with controlling the alcoholic’s/drug addict’s feelings, thoughts, wants, choices, needs, wellbeing, and ultimately their destiny. He/she tries to reason with, to plead, to threaten, pressure by flattery, promise, demand, lecture, preach to, and pray for the addict in vain because such efforts cannot cure chemical dependency.

He/she ends up in more problems than the addict such as anger, hurt feelings, fear, denial, depression, rationalization, ulcers, and sleepless, etc. Co-dependency makes the co-dependent sick and helps the person he/she is trying to help remain sick. They may become an enabler by helping the chemically dependent to continue using the drug e.g. the wife of an alcoholic pays his alcohol bill to cover up his shame.

Anybody who comes into the life of a chemically dependent person

Anybody, anybody at all who comes into the life of the chemically dependent person suffers in one way or the other from the consequences of the chemical dependency.