The Downward
Spiral
The Cycle of Addiction is
seemingly never ending. It seems to constrict this mortal coil relentlessly. It
appears to be unstoppable. In 1996 the NHSDA* reported that an estimated 13.0
million Americans were currently using illicit drugs. It seems to be a problem
that has seeped into every facet of the American culture.
 Typically, not one of us intends to become a drug
addict or alcoholic. But, often many of us do. Addicts do not set out to
destroy themselves and everyone and everything in their path. These things are
an effect of the cycle of addiction.
The addict lies to everyone, things start missing
around the house, the dishonesty conveyed is proportionate to the severity of
the addiction, but these things are all apparent to the person living with an
addict in their life. Our experiences show that the drug addict or alcoholic is
usually an intelligent and most often creative person with much hope for the
future, which only adds to the calamity of their downfall. As the addict slips
down the spiral, their loved ones try to deny the problem exists, sometimes for
years. This is a part of the vicious cycle of addiction.
The person usually enters into this dangerous
affliction because they attempt to compensate for some personal deficiency or
life situation. They are depressed, unhappy or incapable of dealing with their
life situations. It could be as simple as the rejection of a significant other,
the loss of a loved one, or as complex as a major life crisis. This causes the
person to seek "help" in the form of drugs or alcohol. Thus, the cycle of
addiction begins.
Drugs are essentially a pain-killer.
They avert emotional and physical pain providing the user with a temporary and
illusionary escape from life. When a person is unable to cope with some aspect
of their reality and is introduced to drugs they feel they have perhaps solved
the problem itself.
The more a person uses drugs or alcohol, the more
inflated the problem becomes. More problems are created by their use. This
becomes the center of their focus. Soon enough the person feels the need to use
consistently, and will do anything to get high.
They are now caught in the cycle. The person begins
to display the physiological symptoms of addiction. They become difficult to
communicate with, withdrawn and begin to exhibit the strange behaviorism
associated with addiction.
The more the person uses to counter this effect, the
larger the burden of his guilt becomes. This results in a discontented,
depressed, and desperate individual.
Their use begins to affect their personal
relationships, their job, their bank account, and anything of previous value to
the addict. Now the person's entire focus becomes centered on getting, using
and getting more drugs, regardless of the cost. They sacrifice everything to
avoid the pain of withdrawal.
*National Household Survey on
Drug Abuse
Ending the
Cycle
In addition to our Rehabilitation
Services, the staff at Narconon understand that many addicts come into
treatment with family and legal issues. We feel one of the best things we can
do is to assist the recovering individual with these problems. This way, when
the student leaves the Narconon program, they can immediately begin living a
"New Life".
We offer students
help getting to and from Court appointments and liaison services for those on
parole or probation, including random Urinalysis screening. For those looking
to get released from jail or prison to our facility we can also coordinate with
Attorneys and Judges to assist with those needs.
And for those
families dealing with difficult cases that might need intervention and
mediation assistance we have an Intervention Specialist whom is available
Nationwide.
We understand the
resultant effects of addiction and alcoholism and are interested in helping at
every level of recovery for our clientele.
Please
contact us
now. End the Downward Spiral and find your Way to
Happiness Today.
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