Expert: Caroline West - 4/21/2009

Question
My name is Frankie and I'm doing a research report on drug addiction. I was hopeing you would answer some question about drug addiction.
Such as : Is it hard to stop addiction when you are addicted? What are some ways to stop addiction?
These questions are a summary of my questions.



From a sixth grader,
Frankie White

Answer
Hello Frankie,how are you? I am more than happy to answer your questions,I shall go over the basics and if you want further more indepth info then write in again but for now I will give you a general overview for your Q's.

:) *Warning* this is a very long reply!! :) It was needed so as to answer your Q's and give you plenty of info that you need for your research,so grab a soda,give yourself a few minutes and have a read!!

They are good questions and I will start off with saying that addiction is complicated and the level of problems,drug choice preferences,health etc.. and circumstances differs from person to person but saying that,there are also general patterns,outcomes etc..that are consistent across the board with users.

Referring to your first Q-yes it is hard to stop an addiction when you are addicted. It gets harder and harder the deeper you get into it and the length of time using.Someone on drugs for 12 years as opposed to 12 weeks will find it much harder to stop.

To stop the addiction varies and there is a state called 'rock bottom' which addicts reach and thats the catalyst for quitting. Now this rock bottom varies from person to person but the general idea is that an addict reaches a point where enoughs enough. Now some people sadly never reach that and go to the grave as an addict but others it makes them stop. But even though I,and many others who have stopped-and this is where the complicated bit comes in-can never become complacent as there is always a chance of a relapse so really to stop the addiction when you are addicted is not the simple end of it-its a life long commitment to remain clean.

Even smoking cigarettes,Nicotine-which is one of the most addictive substances going and quitting too is difficult and again the longer one is on it depends on how easy/hard it is.But some people can stop without the need for NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) while others need it. So the point I am trying to make is that the level of addiction and the success of quitting varies so much from person to person.

Your 2nd Q regarding ways to stop again varies from person to person AND what substances they were taking. With Heroin use,there is a medicine called 'Methadone' which is a prescribed drug that stops the nasty withdrawals of Heroin but doesn't give that 'high' and a program of reducing or maintaining is devised by a Doctor and Drug worker. Other drugs don't have a substitute so again a program can be devised by the Drug team on how to go about quitting maybe cutting it down gradually rather than stopping straight or given short term medicines to help with the initial first few days. There too are Rehabs-a stay in a Rehabilitation facility from a couple of weeks to a few months where its residential and you are given 'care' and a safe place with support to stopping the drug. The main problem with Rehabs is that once the patient leaves,there is little aftercare and the majority relapses.

Some people turn to religion to help them and can work well. There is also the 'Narcotics Anonymous' 12 step treatment program where you attend meetings which are everywhere and they focus on there being a 'Higher power' to help them stop. There is some controversy around 12 step programs and I'm holding my opinions right now so as to not give you a biased view.

Out patient Drug and Alcohol Services can work well. You can receive one to one Psychotherapy and/or group therapy which can prove extremely valuable but not everyone will respond well to this kind of treatment.

A Doctor once told me to swap my addiction to drugs for a more healthier option which is 'Exercise'! and believe it or not it really helps!

Frankie a lot of quitting is a personal thing,some manage it while others don't and the reality is that there is a very low percentage of success stories and its sad. The best way for me was to always have 'Hope' and every time I fell down,I kept getting back up and that attitude has helped me.

I know this has been an Extremely long reply but it was needed to answer your questions as much as possible to help with your research. I really hope I have helped you and if you would like to ask anymore questions then feel totally free to write in again. Its been a pleasure and just a precautionary note to tell you not to write word for word what I have written. Read it all and then put it into your own words and you'll be fine.

Good luck on your report,all the best, Caroline