California Drug Addiction: Drug Class Might Curb Drug Addiction

Believe me when I say this – drug addiction is increasing in the United States as you read this! This is not solely because as a recovering addict I counsel thousands of people per year, but the realistic assessment of a human being.

Judging from the number of stories involving alcoholism, drug abuse, including the logarithmic increase in the abuse of prescription medications, drug abuse is something we really need to address.

As a counselor for both in class and online drug classes I often discuss the growing number of addicts in our country. My students, ranging in age from 12 to 71, have varying opinions on the nature of addiction and whether or not the problem is growing in this country.

This article will address the addiction situation in this country using a real life example of a 16-year-old man.

The Need to Get “High”

For me, like many addicts, drug and alcohol use did not begin with the idea of becoming addicted, nor really to get high or stoned. It was a matter of peer pressure and experimentation and the thrill of risky behavior.

Many of my students, especially the males, admit that the adrenaline rush of risky behavior and the challenge of peer pressure got them started in experimentation with drugs and alcohol.

The purpose of using drugs changes very quickly from experimentation and risky behavior, to using drugs to catch a buzz and get high.

As drug use increases so too does tolerance and addiction. This is the reason alcohol and marijuana are sometimes considered “gateway” drugs. Basically you need more drugs and more powerful drugs in order to “get high.”

Following are two students whose experiences exemplify the growing problem of addiction in this country today.

Jesus’ Story

Jesus is a 16-year-old from a large suburban community in Southern California. He is the product of a large (he is the youngest of 9 children) very Christian family. Jesus was an honor roll student and soccer standout until the 8th grade. That is when he caught his older brother drinking and doing drugs in the family basement.

Jesus’ story is somewhat different in that he did not voluntarily experiment with drugs – his brother and friends forced him to. That night he drank beer, smoked marijuana and even snorted crystal meth. Trying more than one recreational drug for a first experience is extremely uncommon.

Jesus says that once he tried crystal meth at age of 12 he was hooked. He wasted the next four years of his life getting high and trying to get high. He did things to get high, including selling drugs, shoplifting and robbery.

After getting arrested twice for petty theft, Jesus knew he was in real trouble when he tried to sell cocaine to an undercover officer. He admonished the 16-year-old and warned him that he was headed to a shortened life and most if it behind bars if he didn’t straighten out.

Fortunately for Jesus he has a 22-year-old uncle (Jose) who also had suffered through serious addiction issues. Young Jesus, was following in his uncle’s footsteps.

Jesus’ parents and his uncle staged an intervention. Jesus moved in with Jose who shadowed the young addict everywhere he went. For the better part of a year, Jose gave his life to keeping Jesus sober. Jesus accompanied Jose to his job as a plumbing contractor and is now learning a trade.

Jesus says he still is contacted by his former friends and sees that their lives have basically remained unchanged. They still do drugs and are wasting their lives.

Sobering Words

His words are very wise when he says, “Man, those guys are addicted to their addiction. I don’t want to be like that anymore.”

Drug addiction is a serious problem. If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol I urge you to seek help immediately. If you prefer to maintain total anonymity there are online drug classes as well.

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