Hooked Before You Know It

An alcohol and drug addiction counselor examines why people take drugs, why they keep taking them, and what to do about it.

Sure, people have free will when they make the decision to have their first sip of alcohol, first cigarette, or first puff of marijuana. Or do they? For some of us, hereditary genetic or epigenetic factors put us at increased risk. Others are influenced by the desire to be part of a social group. Still others make choices before their brains are fully developed. And many act on the misguided assumption that "if it's legal, it must not be harmful." Eventually, the brain hooks some of us into a vicious cycle of dependence from which there seems to be no escape.

About a decade ago, I was diagnosed with PTSD, after experiencing an unspeakable personal tragedy. Desperate to escape my suffering, I relied on prescribed drugs and alcohol to numb my pain. They became my go-to coping mechanism. A few years ago, I began writing my book, The Gift: Tragedy to Triumph. Memoir writing helped me take a deep dive into self-introspection. I realized that drugs and alcohol weren't helping me cope — they were actually making coping and healing much more difficult. Organically, I arrived at the decision to replace alcohol and substances with spirituality. I've never looked back, never relapsed, and never experienced more joy in my life.

Substance Use Disorder is an insidious disease that can blindside you when you're most vulnerable. A few key things I've learned about addiction: a person with a Substance Use Disorder is a human being who has a problem — they are not the problem; recovery is a long-term solution to a long-term problem; addiction is a disorder of the brain's reward system that, if left untreated, can lead to death; the effects of drugs and alcohol lead to poor decision-making, so it's often necessary to first stop the behavior, then change the thinking; and almost no one comes to their senses without some form of outside help.

The good news is that it's not too late to seek help. If you have a problem with high-risk use, dependence, or addiction, you're not alone. There are many support groups (Smart Recovery, Women for Sobriety, LifeRing, Recovery Dharma, Alcoholics Anonymous, and others) and countless credible treatment centers. Begin by receiving a professional assessment to determine your needs, severity, and required level of care, then participate in developing your individualized treatment and recovery plan.

If you're using in moderation and just seeking a healthy way to relieve stress, you might even consider going fishing — there are real health benefits to it — or other effective self-care practices such as shinrin-yoku, yoga, breathing, and meditation. While there's no shame in having a disease, there's real shame in not seeking treatment. After all, you deserve to live your best life. Don't you?