By Aiden Owens
When most people talk about addictions they attach a negative connotation to it (and rightly so) because they tend to be talking about addictions to illegal substances. But what about those people that have addictions to substances that are completely legal and available at just about any local store?
Probably the most common legal addiction that gets brought to light is alcohol. With alcoholism being a real problem that can result in both health and legal problems for those afflicted with it, helping those you love get treatment for their addiction can be incredibly important, in part because of the easily availability of alcohol. Unlike illegal drugs or prescription drugs, you can just go to your corner store and pick up a bottle of bourbon to feed your addiction and so long as you're of the legal age, nobody is going to stop you.
The other big drug that's talked about in the same word with addiction, but that you don't see people seeking comprehensive in-patient treatment for, is nicotine. Considered by many to be one of the most addictive substances that you don't need a prescription for, nicotine addiction, otherwise known as being a regular smoker, can have long term health implications not just for the smoker, but for those around them, as the effects of second-hand smoke have long been documented.
Unlike alcoholism, few addicts of nicotine end up seeking out treatment for their addiction, instead relying on over-the-counter patches and gums to help them beat the addiction, though some will seek therapists to help them get over the addiction if they're having an exceptionally hard time getting over it and are truly committed to ending their dependence on smoking.
Perhaps the addictive substance that gets the least attention is caffeine. How many people do you know that either can't start their day without their first cup of coffee or start to get a headache midway through the day if they haven't had coffee or a soda that's loaded up with caffeine? Caffeine is one of those grey-area substances in that some consider it a gateway drug since it does have addictive properties, while others don't given that most of the withdrawal symptoms associated with caffeine are headaches and perhaps a few days of irritability. Still, see how you feel the next time you don't get your morning cup of coffee.
Another substance that's in a bit of a grey area for being a legal addiction is prescription medication. I say grey area because while they are legal for the person that they are prescribed for, many people addicted to prescription medication aren't taking pills that are meant for them. That's not to say they didn't start out taking pills intended for them, just that once the addiction formed and the prescription ran out they started seeking out pills from other sources so that they could continue to get the effects of the medication.
Probably the most common legal addiction that gets brought to light is alcohol. With alcoholism being a real problem that can result in both health and legal problems for those afflicted with it, helping those you love get treatment for their addiction can be incredibly important, in part because of the easily availability of alcohol. Unlike illegal drugs or prescription drugs, you can just go to your corner store and pick up a bottle of bourbon to feed your addiction and so long as you're of the legal age, nobody is going to stop you.
The other big drug that's talked about in the same word with addiction, but that you don't see people seeking comprehensive in-patient treatment for, is nicotine. Considered by many to be one of the most addictive substances that you don't need a prescription for, nicotine addiction, otherwise known as being a regular smoker, can have long term health implications not just for the smoker, but for those around them, as the effects of second-hand smoke have long been documented.
Unlike alcoholism, few addicts of nicotine end up seeking out treatment for their addiction, instead relying on over-the-counter patches and gums to help them beat the addiction, though some will seek therapists to help them get over the addiction if they're having an exceptionally hard time getting over it and are truly committed to ending their dependence on smoking.
Perhaps the addictive substance that gets the least attention is caffeine. How many people do you know that either can't start their day without their first cup of coffee or start to get a headache midway through the day if they haven't had coffee or a soda that's loaded up with caffeine? Caffeine is one of those grey-area substances in that some consider it a gateway drug since it does have addictive properties, while others don't given that most of the withdrawal symptoms associated with caffeine are headaches and perhaps a few days of irritability. Still, see how you feel the next time you don't get your morning cup of coffee.
Another substance that's in a bit of a grey area for being a legal addiction is prescription medication. I say grey area because while they are legal for the person that they are prescribed for, many people addicted to prescription medication aren't taking pills that are meant for them. That's not to say they didn't start out taking pills intended for them, just that once the addiction formed and the prescription ran out they started seeking out pills from other sources so that they could continue to get the effects of the medication.
Aiden Owens has battled substance abuse and addictions, including seeking treatment for a gambling addiction at a Virginia substance abuse treatment center. To learn more about addiction or to get help with yours, visit: AlcoholismTreatmentCenter.org.
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