Shackles: DRUG ADDICTION AND RECOVERY

PREFACE

From the beginning of time, people have never seemed to be satisfied, constantly venturing into things that are totally forbidden by society or God. It seems to be a natural instinct for a man or woman to want to experiment with things and be somewhat adventurous. Sometimes we have a tendency to welcome a journey to the unknown.

Most drug addicts become addicted because they were unaware of the insidious nature of the drug. A large percentage of them started experimenting, taking the advice of friends who assured them that a few hits of the drug would be quite harmless. Soon, this experience turns into casual use, which eventually becomes an addiction. Not everyone who has an experiment with addictive drugs becomes addicted. Some people hate or dislike it and never try it again; however, that is a very minute percentage.

Low-income and middle-class families aren't the only ones affected by drug addiction. Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer. It affects people in all professions. People in politics, the legal system, professional sports, and entertainment industries as well as business owners abuse drugs too.

We should not be overactive in judging our fellow man or woman, nor should we be quick to condemn them because that addict could very well someday be you, your sibling(s), spouse, son, or daughter. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 23.5 million people, age twelve or older, needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol abuse problem in 2009. That's approximately one in every ten Americans over the age of twelve. Furthermore, since 1999, close to 2.5 million Americans have had an opioid use disorder, and nearly four hundred thousand have died from opioid-related conditions.

Most people who have never experienced drugs have a hard time understanding drug addiction and why a person chooses or continues to use drugs. It is almost impossible to comprehend this concept unless you, yourself, are a drug user. Furthermore, most active addicts don't even understand their own addiction. They rarely comprehend the harm they do to themselves and the people around them. Their lives are centered on getting high. Most active drug addicts lose their sense of responsibility and have very little or no pride at all. They can be very destructive because most of them are on a mission, and the main objective of that mission is to constantly get high.

Shackles are devices that confine parts of the human body and prevent freedom. Similar to shackles, drug addiction restricts the user from physically escaping. Addictive drugs produce mind-altering effects that lead to continued abuse. Wikipedia defines addiction as a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. In other words, an addict is someone who can't resist the urge to use drugs regardless of how much harm the drugs cause them.

Your brain is wired to make you repeat experiences that make you feel good. The drugs flood your brain with a chemical called dopamine, which triggers a feeling of intense pleasure—a high. Therefore, you keep taking the drug to chase that intense high. Additionally, users claim to abuse drugs to feel good, ease stress, escape low self-esteem, or sometimes avoid harsh reality.

I, Paul, am well aware of the delicacy of this subject, but it needs to be addressed. Most of us realize that drugs pose a huge problem in our country, and while it may not involve your son or daughter, it should still concern you. Who knows where drugs will strike next? Now that drugs in this country have gotten out of hand, we should want to find a constructive way to prevent substance use disorder (SUD) or drug addiction.

I'm totally convinced that we can find a way to at least slow down SUD, if we try hard enough. I'm also sure that the answer does not lie with our police officers, bail bondsmen, lawyers, district attorneys, or judges. The answer lies within all of us. I strongly believe the proactive approach is the best preventive option. Second, I believe education is just as important. Almost all substance abusers and addicts have tried drugs without thorough knowledge of the effects that drugs have on the mind and body. Those same people would tell you that if they knew from the beginning how overwhelming, abusive, addictive, and dangerous drugs could be to their health and lifestyle, they wouldn't have ever experimented with illicit drugs.

So let us put forth a greater proactive effort toward educating people and help discourage drug abuse and addiction. Educated parents are one of the major keys to success. When children are thoroughly informed, they will more likely make the right decision and avoid drug addiction. If we become successful at teaching parents and convincing them to act, the pusher-man selling and delivery of illegal drugs will hopefully someday become obsolete. One of the best ways to educate people about the addictive effects that drugs have on the users is by having sober or recovering addicts share their story. People are more willing to listen to someone with hands-on experience.

The saga of my life began with becoming an ordained minister and then leaving the lifestyle of Christian ministry to becoming a drug dealer, drug addict, and pimp. While living my life of crime, I experienced near-death encounters on numerous occasions. I had many bouts with crack cocaine and other dangerous drugs. After surviving a life of crime and recovering from my drug addiction, I have returned to my calling as an ordained Christian minister.

Educating people about the dangers of substance abuse and encouraging them to avoid drug addiction is a huge part of my ministry. Ron and I wrote this book with the same purpose in mind. The book begins with education about some of the most popular drugs abused and addicted by people in the United States. It ends with the true story about my life. The real names and other identifying information about some people mentioned in this book were not used to protect their anonymity and privacy.

CHAPTER 1

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION

We have to start taking time to try to understand the drug addict. If the addict has no one they can turn to in a crisis, then rehabilitation can never be successful. Addicts need someone stable in their life who they can talk to, including responsible friends and family members willing to listen. More hotlines and recovery meetings should be made available for the same purpose. Substance abusers may ultimately seek counseling, companionship, or just plain attention. Some users may care enough to take the time to listen to counselors, so they can avoid finding themselves right back in the company of other addicts. Association with drug abusers in their circle is one of the root causes of users remaining addicts. Take advantage of this opportunity and try to build a relationship that will hopefully lead them to recovery.

If you are strong enough to resist or just say no to drugs, then you are strong enough to help someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. However, you will have to be courageous enough to show them lots of love and concern, instead of resentment, hostility, and hatred. Addicts don't know how to quit because they spend most of their time trying to use drugs. All abusers with an SUD have friends, but most of them are addicts too. Furthermore, addicts don't normally try to reform one another, which also happens when an addict is released from prison or drug addiction facility. In most cases they don't have a job, nor are there any good employment opportunities. Therefore, they have a tendency to get discouraged quickly, especially when they are constantly unemployed or terminated because of their criminal behavior and history.

Most addicts really don't know how to quit. The subject of quitting is quite foreign to them. Most of them don't even realize or know the full extent of their addiction, have to literally be informed what to do about it, and have to be told specifically why they shouldn't use illicit drugs. An addict must have a reason and a desire to quit. This is essential because the individual who is addicted to cocaine and/or some other drug has but one primary purpose: another hit.

Illegal drugs are totally negative; there aren't any positive sides to it. Mothers will leave their children unattended for the sake of getting high. People will steal from their own family members and households to support their habit. Illegal drugs tend to replace everything that is positive in a person's life with negative things.

The public tends to ignore issues that don't affect them directly. They only tend to become interested when something involves them or someone they love. Remember this, illegal drugs have no preference concerning usage, and anybody in their pathway will be attacked. They don't discriminate at all; in fact, no one is completely safe from their disastrous intentions because they seem to appeal to every ethnic group, from the unemployed school dropout to city and state officials. Furthermore, addiction doesn't always start with illegal drugs; many times it starts from a prescription given to you from your local doctor.

Many prescribed medications used to manage pain are extremely addictive. If your doctor suggests addictive painkillers to ease your pain, ask the doctor for his advice concerning alternative prescription medications without such powerful addiction. If you happen to be taking a prescribed medication that can lead to addiction and by chance a doctor gives you more prescription drugs than you need, give them back. If you can withstand the pain, don't take the pain medication. It is easy to become addicted regardless of age or status in life. If addictive drugs can't be avoided, take the prescription drug as prescribed. Taking more drugs than prescribed usually leads to addiction. If you abuse, you lose.

Do whatever you can to avoid addiction. Addiction to prescribed painkillers can develop from seemingly harmless levels of drug use. Many patients who become addicted to painkillers don't notice they have an addiction problem until they try to stop using their prescription.

Can addicts quit on their own accord? No, they must have a plan and/or goal to quit, because most of them have only one plan in mind, and that is how or where they can get the next high. Drugs constantly cruise the mind of an addict, from the moment they get up in the morning, until the time they decide to get some rest, and for many addicts that might be two or three days. In other words, a crack addict will smoke until the time they are totally convinced that it is all gone, and no more can be bought or begged from the dealer. Then, and only then, will they try to get some rest.

What plan can we possibly introduce to the addict for the prevention or discontinued use of commonly abused drugs? I don't think anyone has all the answers yet; however, I am sure that a plan should be devised and drawn up for every type of user in this country. It is simply not enough to tell an addict to just stop using the illicit drugs when the user doesn't have any apparent resources and guidance that will help lead to success. For example, one cannot expect a baby to stop crawling and start walking and ultimately expect them to successfully make the transition without showing or teaching them how. So how can we expect an addict to stop using drugs without valuable resources and constructive guidance?

One plan imposed by society for the addict has been incarceration. While it is true that most addicts are forced to stop using while they are in prison or jail, it is simply not enough to justify incarceration. Another plan for the drug addict involves drug addiction treatment facilities. These plans are of a positive nature; however, both also need some form of follow-up strategies. After the treatment is over, whether it is imprisonment or drug addiction center, participants should be released with some type of follow-up assistance.

Assistance could include helping recovering addicts locate a job or furthering their education. Don't leave addicts in recovery status with nothing to do with themselves or their time. Solicit family members and start a recovery management plan. Also, recommend your loved one who has the SUD attend meetings related to their drug addiction. There are plenty of reform- or recovery-type meetings available around the country, such as the Twelve Steps of Alcoholic Anonymous (AA), Drug Addiction (DA), and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Go with your loved one to some of the meetings; you both can learn a lot and find it quite beneficial.

I strongly think that we should place most emphasis on education and prevention. Proactive approach toward educating people is by far the best solution toward preventing drug abuse and addiction. Parents who are aware of the dangers and harmful effects associated with drugs can better communicate with their children about drug addiction. Become familiar with drug paraphernalia, so you can recognize it when your family member uses drugs.

I highly recommend parents start educating their children about the dangers associated with addiction at an early age. A child may experiment with inhalants while they are young and then transition into using illicit drugs as they get older. Keep in mind, leading by example is the best teacher.

There is no excuse; education on prescription and illegal drugs is plentiful. Learn everything you can about different drugs, especially the most abused drugs in your local community. Inform children about the dangers associated with drug use and abuse. Please, do not tell your child how to use drugs. Warn your loved ones about the danger of taking one hit and possibly becoming hooked on the drug. Talk to them about the symptoms and loss of human life associated with drug abuse and addiction. Mention the effects that drug addiction has on the entire family. Tell your child to avoid people associated with drugs. Peer pressure can be quite convincing to teenagers.

If you happen to suspect your loved one is using drugs because you found items in their possession used by drug users, act accordingly. The moment you notice drug paraphernalia in their possession and/or observe them having symptoms associated with drug use, take action immediately. Find out for certain whether they are using or abusing drugs. If it is true, do everything within your power to convince your loved one to stop using drugs and get them professional assistance. You might save their life.

Begin by asking your loved one questions. For examples, why is drug paraphernalia in their possession? Why does their behavior reflect symptoms consistent with drug use? Find out as much as you can about their involvement associated with their drug of choice. Once you find out the drug of choice, do research on that particular drug and find out as much as possible. Knowing the signs, symptoms, and paraphernalia used by someone is critical in order to recognize that your loved one has begun to abuse drugs. If their drug of choice is mentioned in this book, begin reading its content. Furthermore,