Yesterday, I spoke with this man who told me he used to be addicted to drinking. He said he started with his younger brother at the age of 12, 13. They had a cellar in their house filled with different types of alcohol. They took a sip, liked it, and that was how they began drinking. They'd always mix different alcoholic drinks and consume. Before he knew it he couldn't stop. Anytime he didn't take atleast 3 bottles a day he wouldn't feel satisfied. He was only happy when he had the sweet liquor flowing down his throat.
One peculiar thing was he barely got drunk. When he was in the university and he went out with his guys. They all bought some beer and began drinking and unwinding. By the time they reached five bottles everyone except for him was very drunk and began misbehaving. He continued till he reached 13 (that's right 13) bottles before falling asleep.
His addiction knew no bounds and he was never at rest if he didn't have a drink. Once, he was broke and wanted a drink so badly that he sold all of his living room chairs at a price of 20 dollars.
His father had had enough of his drinking addiction and sent him to a rehabilitation center and began paying 250,000 naira ( approx 450 dollars) a week for 6 months.
After six months, he got out of rehab and had a relapse. He had to go back in for another six months. He just got out like 3 weeks ago and so far hasn't taken any alcohol. He also has to go for monthly checks, therapy sessions, and has to take some medication to reduce his cravings.
You see, a lot of people suffer from one form of addiction or the other. It doesn't have to be alcohol. it could be drugs, sex, gambling, it could even be little things like using your phone (I thought I was guilty of this till my phone spoilt for a week and I survived), or playing video games. Ordinarily, all of these things are not bad, but when we allow them to begin to dictate our every day life and we become like slaves and can't live without them, that's when it becomes bad.
I read this article on addiction and it was able to help me understand the biology of addiction. It made me understand that science sees addiction as a disease. It makes one to find pleasure in the wrong things, and stop at nothing until they have gotten that temporary satisfaction. Once it's all over, they regret what they've done, that is till they start to crave it once more and even then they'll forget previous bad decisions.
Overcoming Addiction
Overcoming addiction is easier said than done. First of all, you have to decide to change. At this stage, you realize you are addicted and prepare your mind mentally to change. Then you prepare yourself. You remove anything related to the addiction from your home and anywhere near you. Then you quit. If you can't start at once you can start little by little. Like, let's say 1 bottle of alcohol a day. Now the difficult part is actually quitting. There will be times when it will seem as though it's impossible (which is why it's advisable to see a doctor or even go to rehab) but you just have to pull through.
Now all you have to do is avoid relapse, as well as avoid friends who might influence you into going back.
Incase you relapse, it's important you know it's not the end of the world. You learn from it, and you start all over. Remember you can do anything you set your mind to.
Have you ever been addicted? Did you overcome it? How?
Thank you for reading this post, your support, feedback and reblogs are greatly appreciated.
N/B :I cheer for @Kenechukwu97 from @dreemport.
hi @bos, this is quite a poignant article on addiction and the impact that it has on one's life and those around us. I have personally known both alcoholics and drug addicts and some of those stories have ended quite sadly. I have seen families torn apart by alcoholism and witnessed others completely broken by addiction. Tragically, ironically for some, it is the only way they know in which to survive life whilst they are here, as the source of their escape and ability to withstand the world and continue to live within it, ultimately becomes the final direct cause of their untimely end. Thank you for sharing this account with us. May I ask if you could please provide proper accreditation for the photo you have used? I am sure it is just a simple oversight, as we found the link via a Google image search, but accreditation is required by Dreemport to avoid copyright infringement. Ordinarily, I would need to remove it from today's submissions and ask that you make the appropriate changes to the article before it can be accepted, but in this one case we will accept it as we have verified the source ourselves. Going forwards, lack of accreditation will result in a rejection until the adjustments are made. For your ease of ref, here is the link for you to use to include in your article🙏:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-focus-photo-of-red-label-liquor-bottle-beside-drinking-glass-3089663/
Addiction especially to drugs and alcohol are very dangerous
Oh my, I really need to stop publishing my posts at night. This is the second time this is happening. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, and even going as far as bringing out the link, I'll source it right now.
!PIZZA
hehe I hear you... I have hit the publish button a few times in the past week or so without popping in my accreditation (also late at night!) but realised immediately and gone straight back in to copy it in. I had some help from Dreems getting the link for your pic hehe (so you can thank her), but I really wanted to get this through for you today.
I guess it happens to everyone. Thank you very much @dreemsteem.
Thank you very very much.
This is an important issue, and good advice!
I suffered with all kinds of addictions before. I had a strong will, and I've never considered myself an addict to anything.
After spending my late teenage and most of my twenties like that, I saw the negative effects of my poor lifestyle choices.
I quit EVERYTHING all at once, cold-turkey as they say, and never went back ever since. I won't get into details of what MANY substances and all that, but yes it was REALLY hard.
As hard and heartbreaking as this can be, sadly it's essential. If your friends don't want to come abroad with the quitting, and aren't understanding and supportive. Then it's time to quit them!
I'm glad you were able to quit. Many people feel they are not able to.
Your friends will either make you or mar you.
Addition is not a very good thing, once one gets addicted, it takes a while before the changing, i have a content on addiction,will be released soon
I'll look out for it
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Such an interesting article. That means going to a rehabilitation center can help one get over addiction? Everyone is addicted to one thing or the other and we must try our best to get out of it because I found addiction to a wrong habit destroys. Thanks for sharing. I was directed here by @dreemport
Yes, it can, as long as the person is also ready to quit.
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Addiction is really crazy and it can cause real damage, just imagine selling your chairs for alcohol.
Likee. At that moment his cravings clouded his reasoning
It's crazy, hence it is better to avoid certain things from the start.
Exactly
Addiction. I've been addicted and know what it feels like being powerless. It may not be alcohol or smoking but it was awful. But how do we deal with them? Alot of people have relapses all the time bro.
Yes it happens, but if you're determined and willing to do what it takes to stop (like rehab, or visiting a psychologist, some even see a doctor ...) it possible to overcome.
I have seen someone addicted to smoking. He had the desire to quit but it wasn't easy at first, layer he began reducing his number of sticks per day until he quit. It takes determination to quit a habit.
@dreemport brought me here