Just Say "No" to Stupid Assumptions
There is so little good information about addiction and recovery, which a big reason why I am so committed to writing my memoir and blogging about it my experiences with drugs. I hope to finally dispel some of the myths that exist about addiction, addicts, and recovery.
I came across an article, “Heroin is Hard Work,” in which author Martin Samuel details the effort involved in becoming a heroin addict; after reading the article, my resolve to dispelling those myths was reinforced.
Here is an excerpt from the Samuel article:
“Nobody becomes a casual heroin user. It is too much like hard work. It is the most determined act you will attempt all year. You think you've got it tough putting up shelves or laying a new patio? Try getting whacked out on horse. It is a commitment. It is the whole day gone.”
Samuel is right about one thing—heroin addiction is hard work. I worked hard at becoming an addict. I worked hard at becoming an addict because I was so committed to my complete and utter destruction. Supporting a two hundred dollar a day habit is far from easy—in fact, at the height of my use, some of my closest friends would say to me, “Melinda, if you put this much energy in a positive direction, there is nothing you couldn’t do.” Absolutely—I have never worked harder at anything in my life as I did becoming a junkie.
But where the Samuel article strays off mark is in his belief that people ‘fall into’ heroin addiction in a desire to emulate popular artists such as Amy Winehouse or George Michael of a few years ago or that they become addicted out of boredom. In my experience, and in the great majority of experiences I have heard from other addicts, both using and in recovery, no one ever becomes an addict out of boredom or out of a desire to emulate popular cult stars. At least not at the root. People either become addicts out of a triggered genetic predisposition or through their psychological makeup, which usually results from a dysfunctional family environment.
Addiction doesn’t occur when a psychologically healthy person experiments with drugs. Addicts are created when a person is dysfunctional and the experimentation triggers a desire to self-destruct by diving full force into drug dependency. Moreover, habitual drug use is merely a symptom of a much larger issue. This is why treatment is so often unsuccessful—because addiction continues to be looked at in such simplistic terms. In fact, this is Samuel’s final proclamation/solution in the article: He says, “So just say no, kids. To all of it: just say no.”
HUH?
What? The? Hell?
Just say no? Nancy Reagan lives today! (NOT) It didn’t work on the ‘War on Drugs’ in the 1980’s and it won’t work today. To address addiction, you have to address the causes of addiction, which are very complex. Often addiction occurs because of underlying psychological problems such as anxiety or depression and drugs are used in an attempt to self-medicate or because of severe trauma that has never been treated. Using a drug offers those people an escape from a reality that is too painful to deal with. Heroin, after all, is the greatest of all opiate painkillers. The first time I ever did heroin, I remember feeling so warm and secure (take me in your arms sweet Jesus)—it was as though I had finally found the feeling I had bitterly been missing my entire life. The answer, for me, wasn’t in ‘just saying no’ to the drugs—it was in finally digging down deep and facing the inner turmoil that made me want to escape into the haziness of a drug induced fog.
Real recovery requires a far more comprehensive solution to an extremely complex problem.
Recovery doesn’t consist of simply saying ‘no’ to a drug—it has to go to the root of why a person becomes an addict and that is never simple boredom or just ‘giving in’ to hedonistic desires.
I was disappointed by this article, but not at all surprised by it. There are so many misconceptions about addiction and addicts. This is the biggest reason why I have decided to go public—because many people believe that addicts can never change. Well guess what folks—I am living proof that people can and do change if they are given the proper tools to help them along the road to recovery—and certainly every person deserves the chance I was given.
Peace,
Melinda
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Categories: Heroin,Healing,Addiction and Recovery,Behavior and Genetics
Hello, Melinda -- With the little I know about addiction, it seems clear that its causes are complex.
My mother lives in Baltimore, where there is a huge heroin problem (we had a twisted joke based on a city political slogan from a few years back: Baltimore! 60,000 heroin addicts can't be wrong!). She became romantically involved with an addict, which has been an on and off crazy relationship. In a place like Baltimore, where the steel factories are pretty much dead and the job market for blue collar work moribund, part of the heroin problem is one of economic and social class. But there are also the underlying personal reasons.
Her friend came from a physically abusive home and was left to run on the streets as a small child. He never graduated from high school. He has been in and out of various treatment programs, but there are always barriers, including the fact that he has no license and no easy transportation.
It's a bleak world. And "just say no" certainly doesn't address the "why" of entrenched addiction.
Thanks for another interesting post.
Jennifer, who is home with a sick little one today
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Jennifer,
First, so sorry to hear the little one is sick--I hope you don't get sick yourself (that so often happens when you have little ones).
You know--I just saw a piece on Nightline just last night that focused on heroin addiction in rural Ohio. In fact, I had already written this morning's post or I would have mentioned it in this one--perhaps I will later. I bet a similar phenomenon has occurred in Baltimore (and your mother's boyfriend). Apparently, this huge increase in heroin consumption has resulted from the abuse of oxycontin--those pills have become so costly on the black market that people are now turning to heroin because it is cheaper and so much stronger. After physicians prescribe the pills to people and get them addicted to narcotics (people who have no apparent pain problem--pain is different if that really does need to be treated). Then, after the physicians stop prescribing, the people are strung out--and since a single oxycontin can sell for anywhere from 40 - 70 dollars a single pill -- heroin is used instead because you can buy a ten or twenty dollar balloon and it is SO much stronger.
The really tragic part of all this is that there are not treatment centers to help people--they just don't exist. This piece showed entire families all strung out together (one family of 5--the only one not on heroin was a two-year-old baby--the mother, father and two teens were all addicted to heroin). And yet another woman who was five months pregnant--strung out on heroin for almost seven years. It was truly heartbreaking.
The biggest thing in treating addiction is comprehensive rehabilitation. If you simply detox a person and don't address the root causes of addiction, treatment will never work. You really need to address the psychological factors that are involved, perhaps treat dual diagnoses of depression, anxiety, etc--and also give people job skills, life skills, parenting classes (if necessary), etc.
I really wish you mother all the best--the only thing that might be more heartbreaking that being in love with an addict--is being an addict yourself. I pray he is able to get the help he needs--and that your mother doesn't start doing the drug herself.
Take care of yourself and the little one, Jennifer--
Melinda
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I always wondered what led to drug use and addiction. The movies from 7th grade - where they show the drug addict getting shock treatments - those worked for me, and I just never went there. But, you've spelled it out so undeniably - people using drugs to self-destruct. How heartbreaking. I know one person who did heroin - her whole life a mess. She was a victim of incest, and probably the most honest, loving person I've ever known! She's come a long way, I hear. I wish I could have helped her more. One thing I always knew - I could not rescue her from the dark trailer of sexual abuse - starting at age 2 and continuing through adolescence. There is so much I don't understand. Keep on writing. This is really a gift. My goodness. You are so good. I look forward to each new post.
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Jen,
Oh my--I remember those same movies--and at the time, they did have an effect on me. But you see--that is where the crux of the matter lies, I think. The problem for me was the huge amount of emotional pain--and it really felt like drugs were the only thing that made that pain better. I truly believe that if I hadn't received the help I needed to deal with the trauma of my childhood that I would have never been able to stop using heroin. Also--so many people (huge numbers really) are depressed and yet don't seek help for their problem so they turn to drugs to self-medicate.
I am very glad that your friend is doing better--I know just where she was in her destruction. Her story is proof (as is mine) that you can go through terrible events, overcome a debilitating addiction, and find peace and happiness in life.
Peace to you, Jen--
Melinda
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My little three-year-old son just came up while I was typing that last comment. He saw your picture on the blog, and said, "Who is that?" I said, "Oh, just someone mommy is sending a note" He said, "SHE'S REALLY NICE!" It almost made me cry...
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Oh that is so sweet, Jen! Well, you know--your son is a great judge of character (lol)--I am really nice.
Melinda
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Thanks for your insight. Coming from a first-hand experience, it has the weight of reality.
The modern society is all about quick fixes. They just want the problem fixed. So they fix the problems -- not the cause of the problems.
The same kind of thing applies to psychiatrists who prescribe anti-depressants without offering other forms of healing services. Anti-depressants (when and if it works) can artificially regulate one's mood. But at best it's a temporary relief -- it does not address WHY the person is depressed.
It's easy to blame doctors for that, but I think the motivation for that comes from many places, including general public. They just want quick, easy fix.
What they don't realize is that if you solve the root cause, the problem will go away. For ever. Gone!
It is harder work to do that up front, but I can't see why anyone will choose anything else. I'm not against temporary relief, of course -- sometimes the pain is so bad, you just have to get a quick fix in first. But to stop at that? I fail to see why.
ari
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Ari,
I so agree with your comment that we are all about quick fixes in our society--and in fact, the pharmaceutical companies are in large part at fault for this. They pour millions (if not billions) of dollars into promoting all kinds of medicine (psychotropic and otherwise) and convince people that their lives are not worth living unless they take their medication. The doctors are pressured heavily--not only by the public but also by the pharmaceutical companies and the hospitals where they work. I honestly think the majority of doctors really do go into medicine out of a legitimate desire to help other people.
There are legitimate reasons to take medication--but we have become far too dependent upon pills and quick fixes in our society.
I definitely agree that you need to treat the root cause of why a person is depressed, anxious, or addicted in order for treatment to have a lasting effect. When I was severely depressed in graduate school, I did take antidepressants and they did help me get through it. I worked with a great doctor though who also saw it as a temporary solution. Once I dug down deep and got to the root causes of my trauma, I no longer needed any medication.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Ari--
Melinda
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Oh, reading your article made me angry and again glad that I'm blogging in trying to educate and inform people regarding mental illness which often accompanies substance abuse (there always can be a diagnosis). Again, the article you refer to subtly insinuates a character flaw, that something is wrong with the person themselves, or a trying to simplify it to being "copycat" behavior. Any addiction is "hard work," but still people do not understand physical and especially the psychological part of addiction. It is really sad because quite a bit of money has been put into substance abuse awareness (as far as social issues are concerned) and yet people still don't get it or maybe it is a need to simplify it because it is so complex. They also don't seem to understand that it is an escalating self-destructive cycle that without intervention and the root causes that recidivism will occur or it will be replaced with another addiction. And, my understanding with heroin is that you can become addicted the first time.
I am so glad that you are out there addressing this. Too many myths and misconceptions even in the professional world. Progress is slow, but it is there. Hopefully, more of the celebrities will help to inform others. I applaude you!!!
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You are absolutely right, CC! In our society, we tend to look at mental illness and psychological problems in moral terms rather than as a health concern, which is how we must treat it. It is a crime that so many insurance companies refuse to pay for psychological treatments. And for anyone's information--more people missed work due to depression than all other physical illnesses combined! It is one of my huge crusades in life.
Addiction is a health concern, with huge psychological implications. Almost every single person I have ever known who was an addict either had a dual diagnosis or were self-medicating from trauma (as I was for so long).
And your understanding is right about heroin addiction--it can most definitely take hold the first time you use (which is partly why the drug is so dangerous and insidious).
Thanks for your thoughtful comments again, CC--I appreciate it.
Melinda
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A perspective often overlooked is that pain and suffering play an integral role in the evolution of a human being. When the universe brings people into your life, you are expected to help them. If you look closely at the lives of people who seem handicapped, disadvantaged, injured or debilitated, you begin to realize that many of these people develp very strong self-acceptance, awareness and self-love. We each have opportunities to provide guidance to other people to empower them to help themselves. We need only share our life experiences. People we know and complete strangers are always attracted into our lives because of our own thoughts. We always attract what we need. Yet, we are not always aware of the impact of inner healing power.
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I so agree with you, Liara--from pain and suffering comes the potential for enormous growth. I also really believe that we are all set upon this earth for a particular purpose and that we should strive to meet that purpose throughout our lives. I also feel that we meet people that we are supposed to meet upon our life journey--
You have a great deal of insight--and I appreciate your thoughtful comments on my blog.
Melinda
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The work needed to keep an addiction going, can keep the person trapped as all energy is focused on the next "fix". Society/the public needs treatment centers to help addicts voluntarily find the way to stop using. If it's (addiction) all you know, it's all you can do.
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/10/18/bc-naomi-trial-results.html
cbc.ca/health/story/2008/10/18/bc-naomi-trial-results.html
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Mark,
Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your posting the link to this story as well.
Melinda
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