Drug Addiction Isn't The Result Of Taking A Drug; It Stems From A Lack Of Human Connection

Addiction has always been a hot topic in medicine. Those struggling with addiction have been told they are morally corrupt and weak willed. Many have accepted addiction as a true disease, but some still blame the addicted individual. In the case of heroin addiction, for example, one may think it’s simple — heroin is what causes heroin addiction, right?

Not so. In most cases, it is not simply taking a drug, or even taking a drug multiple times, that turns one into an addict. If that were true, everyone who had ever been on heavy painkillers for an extended period due to injury would be addicted to them, and may end up turning to heroin because it is cheaper and more convenient.

Experiments with both rats and humans point to human connection as the most important factor in preventing and recovering from addiction. If one is feeling lonely or suffering from depression, they are much more likely than a happy, connected person to turn to harmful substances to fill the void. Sobering up is only the first step in recovery, and without a support system, a person will often fall right back into a relapse. The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety then — it’s connection. Check out the video for details on the studies.

Article Resources:http://www.medicaldaily.com/