Addiction

Welcome Back to Dispatch Education. I am Bethany. Today I want to talk to you about something that is difficult but dear to my heart. I want to have a conversation about addiction. Addiction can be many things, we always think of the obvious one: drugs and alcohol. Addiction can be so much more – gambling, food, sex, shopping.

The American Society of Addiction medicine states: Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.

Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.

The reality is you may be sitting next to an addict at work. Why do I say that and why is this important to me? My husband is a transformed addict. He spent many years as a Paramedic and the stress of the job added to his addiction, yet it was never safe to admit he had a problem. He finally sought help and has been clean for 9 years.

We want you to experience this freedom too. If you are struggling with an addiction, reach out to a local mental health professional or contact us and we will help connect you. When you’re stuck in the cycle of addiction, recovery can seem out of reach. But no matter how powerless you feel, change is possible with the right treatment and support.

Thank you for taking time out with us today. We will see you on the next episode.