Addiction and how it affects the world
Addiction is a state where a person has strong, constant cravings for a substance or behavior. There are many types of addiction. The most discussed examples are substances like alcohol or drugs. It can be as simple as gambling, gaming, eating, and even the Internet. Some people could have an addiction and not even know it. Addiction affects many people’s lives. The impact can affect family, friends, classmates, or teammates. It may not have a direct impact on the person involved.
Seeking Help
When you are addicted, you may find it difficult to seek help. Statistics show that only 10% of people seek help from over 20 million people. If you know someone who is addicted, you can reach out to your local police officers for help if you need it. Stevie Jo Banannio, the resource officer at Weir High School, explains how they ensure safety. Banannio says, “Such as making sure we aren’t breathing in any loose type of powder, using gloves when searching due to the potency of fentanyl exposure, and other exposures that can be deadly instantly, watching for uncapped needles so we don’t get stuck with one which can lead to deadly or very harmful consequences. However, when it comes to a lot of the bigger drug issues, we do have a drug task force which is dedicated to drug issues specifically.”
The Health Center at Weir High School was also apart of the interviews. They said, “In general, we try to first identify the problem and make the patient aware that it is an issue that needs to be addressed. It is then important to identify any underlying issues that could be triggering or worsening the addictions. For example, untreated mental illness, trauma history, stressful living situations, financial insecurities, and so on. We then try to find ways to work through the addiction by addressing triggers and underlying issues.” The health center added, “if patient and ready and willing to try to quit, we can provide them with a variety of resources to help. The resources are dependent on the addiction but can include behavioral health counseling, educational materials, community engagement (meetings, church involvement, mentorships), dietary counseling, and even medications in certain situations.” Banannio also said, “That’s why there are so many rehab centers, to over see and safely allow your body to detox. It takes months, sometimes years for your brain to start to function normally again, and your body to start to function normally again.”
Substance addiction: what is the true severity of the issue?
Substance addiction is a common issue in the U.S. In 2022, Addiction Group reported that 48.7 million people struggled with a substance use disorder. Every year, 16 million Americans abuse prescription drugs. Banannio says, “For the most part, addiction isn’t about the drug, it isn’t about the alcohol, it is their coping skill, their way of not having to feel or deal with certain things. When they don’t have their “fix” and it wares off, when you are in the midst of the addiction itself, you get physically sick because your body will at that point, need to have whatever it is addicted to, in order to survive-the withdraw is dangerous.” Banannio adds, “Addiction will make you act in ways that you wouldn’t act, if you were sober. Some people while under addiction can function normally, act normal. In which case they are a functioning addict. Some people will act reckless, cause a lot of damage and harm, and become very violent. It really just depends on the person, and how deep their addiction is, what they are addicted to, and a lot has to do with the family and friends surrounding them as well.”
Some people believe that smoking is better than vaping. Laura Perkins states, “Vape aerosol have tiny bits of metals and cancer-causing chemicals.” According to Laura, “everything is healthier than smoking.” “More than 10 times as many Americans have died early from smoking than have died in wars.” Laura explains. “Anything other than fresh air can hurt your lungs.” Laura adds. For example, air pollution, coal dust, and asbestos can all hurt your lungs. Laura also says, “breathing in a chemical called theatrical fog can cause headaches and dizziness.” If exposed for a long time it can damage the lungs. Laura explains, “if someone has swallowed nicotine, you should call a poison control.” She also said, “nicotine can also be absorbed through skin and should be washed off at once.” Studies show that one pod of JUUL e-liquid has as much nicotine as 20 cigarettes which is a whole pack. Many people spend about $2160 per year which calculates to $180 per month.
What is marijuana? A cannabis plant produces marijuana. Many people refer to marijuana as weed. According to Pamela Peterson, “People start using because they are curious or their friends use it. Some think it will cure an illness. Marijuana is illegal in many states. Pamela states that, “Marijuana changes the way the brain works, makes it hard to tell how much time has passed, slows down time, make people’s mind think differently, makes your heartbeat faster, makes your vision blurry, drys out the lips, mouth and throat, makes you hungry, makes the immune system weaker, and finally can make some people unable to have a child.” Different forms of weed are K2, spice demon, genie, and edibles. Pamela explains, “it can cause bronchitis, emphysema, lung infections, and heart attacks. Marijuana may also damage the body’s cancer-fighting system. So it may increase the risk of getting cancer.” Pamela also shares, “It. An increase the risk of depression and mental disorders such as schizophrenia.”
Alcohol is the drug that is in beer, wine, and liquor. It can change the way the body works like any other substance. The legal drinking age in all states is 21 years of age. Peterson states, “Alcohol makes people feel confused, slows time, blurs your vision, makes people lose control, irritates the throat, causes you to make bad choices, makes some people vomit, lowers your body temperature, and can cause hangovers.” Did you know that a person can freeze to death due to not feeling the cold? According to Pamela, “It takes 1 hour per drink to make a person sober.”
Consequences
Having an addiction can get you in trouble. If you seem intoxicated in public, you can get charged or even jailed. The consequences depend on what substance you are using and how intoxicated you are. Banannio says, “Alcohol for the most part, is something that comes down to a dui, or a public intox charge. It depends on how high your BAC is, as well as how many charges you have against you. If you have three or more dui’s, you are now going to be charged with a felony. You will
also lose your license if you get a dui, not to mention possibly hurt or kill yourself or someone else.” DUI means driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. It involves operating a motor vehicle under the influence. “For drugs, you are going to look at what the type of drug is, how much of it there is, how it is packaged, if you were going across state lines with the drug, if there are instruments to use the drug or weigh the drug, etc. a lot of drug charges here end in felony’s, due to the type and amount of drug.” Bannanio adds.
Babies at risk
Many babies are at risk when their mother is on a substance when pregnant. Statics show that 321,566 babies lost their lives due to their parents’ drug addiction from 2011 to 2021. According to the Laguana Treatment Center, a baby could have many defects like behavior, language, cognition, and achievement. A mother who is taking a substance could also have a miscarriage or preterm labor. The Laguana Treatment Center also states that babies could also be born with addiction and will have to go through withdrawal. Pamela says, “The baby may be born with brain damage or a damaged head and liver, have a deformed face or limbs, or be shorter and weigh less at birth.” Pamela also says when addicted to marijuana during pregnancy, “The baby may be born to early, weigh less and be shorter at birth, have trouble breathing, have nervous system problems, have health, emotional, and learning problems when older.” “Marijuana can also be passed in Breast milk.” Pamela adds.
