Addiction.
It’s a “shush” word that isn’t often talked about openly. Addiction is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as “a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.”
It can be hard to determine if a friend or even yourself has an addiction. Addiction doesn’t apply only to heroin users or alcoholics. Addicts can be gamblers or even excessive porn-watchers. Addiction can manifest itself in different ways, and it affects all parties involved.
It can be difficult to determine if someone is addicted — it’s not as obvious as seeing a needle sticking out of their arm. Warning signs can be different for each person and should be taken seriously.
Erika Aguilar, psychologist with Henderson Behavioral Health at NSU, said, “Some things to keep an eye on are any changes in behavior, any changes in mood. If someone is usually acting a certain way and then there are changes to that, those could be some red flags. Things such as not going to class or withdrawing socially, whether it is impacting their health or finances could be signs of an addiction.”
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, death rates related to drug overdoses such as heroin, prescription opioids and cocaine have been on the rise since 2001. However, heroin has seen the most drastic increase since 2010. Because of this, first responders and society have been trying to find methods and medicines that could save the lives of individuals who overdose. On Nov. 18, 2015, the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of the nasal spray naloxone hydrochloride, also known as Narcan, to consumers without a prescription. Recently, first responders have been keeping Narcan on hand to help treat drug users who may have overdosed.
While the FDA knows that approving over-the-counter purchases of Narcan won’t solve the opioid problem, Stephen Ofstroff, acting commissioner for the Food and Drug Administration, said in a press release for the FDA, “We are speeding to review new formulations that will ultimately save lives that might otherwise be lost to drug addiction and overdose.”
Ultimately, combatting addiction is what will save lives.
Since addiction can take many forms, it can be hard to know how or when to approach friends or family when there is evidently a problem. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence website has tips for conducting an intervention for friends and family who may have an addiction. It states that while not all interventions are successful, they are best conducted with a professional specialized in addiction. After an intervention has been conducted, there are many resources for everyone affected by addiction, not just the person suffering from the actual addiction. Several national organizations have dedicated a page on their websites to addiction treatment and recovery and have options for treatment centers across the country.
NSU students are entitled to 10 free counseling sessions at Henderson Student Counseling Services in the University Park Plaza. These 10 sessions can be used for any type of addiction-related issues such as underlying reasons for addiction or maintaining sobriety.
Aguilar said, “If you are concerned for someone, it is important to take a supportive approach and open up the conversation with them to let them know of any concerns you may have and that you are there to be supportive in whatever way would be beneficial to them.”
For more information on where to seek help or treatment, contact Henderson Student Counseling Services at 954-424-6911.
