Exposing a Different Kind of Drug Problem

The basic textbooks of Narcotics Anonymous* are very clear: the drug addict who truly desires to recover must abstain from the use of any and all "mind-altering, mood-altering substances." However, in some regions there is a practice which serves to block addicts' recovery, as well as those who wish to remain dependent upon drugs while calling it something else.

Mental health professionals are at the foundation of this issue. As many individuals who have spent years or decades ingesting illegal drugs do not "become clean" without some degree of mental or emotional problems, many mental health professionals do not acknowledge this for what it is. Instead of recognizing and treating these problems while assisting the addicts in remaining clean, the frequent practice is to simply label the addict with a popular condition and prescribe more drugs. While some individuals do have legitimate mental illnesses, the mental and emotional problems associated with drug addiction or alcoholism are not just cause to further medicate those who have suffered from substance-dependencies. Mental health professionals who routinely label patients as suffering from schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar conditions, are often too quick to diagnose and medicate, without examining the underlying problems. While this blocks the addict or alcoholic who is sincerely interested in recovering, it is little more than a green-light to those who prefer to keep their addictions intact.

This issue also affects the community level. It is astounding to learn the numbers of individuals who are considered "disabled," with their disabilities being the result of extended illegal drug or alcohol use. Rather than being assisted in becoming productive members of society, they are being medicated, and eligible for SSI Disability. Although many could indeed be productive, the range of psychiatric medications given to "treat" the problems associated with drug addiction and alcoholism keep them below a normal functioning level.

In many instances, the medical community jumps on the bandwagon. Although people do occasionally need medication for various conditions, the rate of this practice is way out of proportion. The addict who, during his career of drug use, learned that no pain or inconvenience should be tolerated, may be handed prescription after prescription, even for the most minor problems.

Narcotics Anonymous* states that when an addict uses mind-altering or mood-altering substances, it gets his addiction going all over again. While this is true for the person who is giving recovery his best shot and places his trust in a health care professional, it is even more insidious regarding addicts and alcoholics who wish to claim that they are "clean" or "sober" while continuing to make substances a part of his daily life.

Perhaps it is time for all health care professionals to acknowledge the extent of substance-dependency, and to stop enabling it.

* Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text, Sixth Edition