26/02/2025
Rock Bottom Is A Deadly Myth.
Addiction is a progressive brain disease that affects thinking, impulse control, and behaviors. Abusing substances changes one's brain chemistry overriding the prefrontal cortex responsible for executive functions such as abstract thinking, motivation, planning, reasoning, and impulse control. Addiction hijacks the brain's ability to think clearly, rerouting thoughts through the old reptilian brain, the area responsible for survival. This part of the brain screams, 'get dope or die,' leaving addicted persons more fearful of withdrawal than dying from an overdose.
Some believe rock bottom must be reached before addicted persons will seek help. But what is rock bottom? Is it the first time you get a DUI? Or the first time you get fired or evicted? Is it when you steal grandma’s jewelry? Or pawn your child's electronics? Is rock bottom when you stop seeing your kids? Or maybe it's when you start selling drugs, or yourself, to supply your habit? Is overdose rock bottom?
Truthfully, rock bottom has a trap door.
Rock bottom is like an avalanche. It starts small and builds. Wait long enough, and rock bottom is death.
While it’s important to allow addicted persons to experience the consequences of their actions, this is not the same thing as rock bottom. Consequences are necessary to facilitate change. But not every person struggling with addiction has the luxury of time.
Addiction is a progressive illness, and there are varying stages along the spectrum. Addicted people don't have to lose it all. We don’t wait until cancer patients have reached stage four to treat them, and we shouldn’t wait until addicted persons are terminal, either. By then, their thinking is pathological. Their body and organs are damaged, and physically and psychologically, they’re completely dependent on their DOC–the same way your body is dependent on air.
With all the different opinions and controversies surrounding substance use disorder, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and confused when considering treatment options. With so many programs available, what’s the right one? Is harm reduction the way to go? Is keeping addicted persons on drugs a good choice? What about abstinence? Which program is more successful? How do you know if your loved one is ready for treatment? Should you wait for them to come to their senses? What happens if they don’t?
To answer this correctly, a thorough medical and psychological evaluation is essential. Each individual is unique, and so are their circumstances. While some do well on medications, others do not, and abstinence should not be overlooked.
While some can stop using on their own, others can’t. There’s a difference between heavy users and those who are truly addicted. Heavy users are problematic. They understand they have a problem, and after experiencing harmful consequences due to their use, they stop. Addicted persons may also realize they have problems and experience the same consequences. They try many times to stop but can’t. This is when the last stage of addiction is reached, for the substance abuser gives up and surrenders to their illness. In other words, they stop trying to stop using.
If your loved one needs help but is resistant to treatment, an interventionist can help. These folks are highly skilled at what they do. Not only that, they’ll help you and your family members, too.
People who are mentally ill and chronically addicted don't magically wake up one day and say enough. Instead, they give up. However, mandated treatment can change that. With enough time and the right help, their brain can heal, and change can happen.Because when you suffer from addiction, there are only four outcomes; jails, institutions, death, or recovery.
If you, or someone who know is in a crisis for substance abuse(Drug addiction)
Dr. Md. Didarul Alam
Ph- 01706-260752
