Alcohol and Drug Addiction, The Elevator Ride to Hell
If you have a problem, you have a choice where to get off the downward elevator ride.
After many years of listening to stories about drinking and drugging, I’ve concluded that, once you’re in the grips of addiction, it's like being on an elevator. The bad news is the elevator only goes down. The good news is that, with help, people addicted to alcohol and/or other mind-altering substances can get off before it's too late.
To be clear, if an alcoholic or addict continues to abuse their substance of choice, the elevator ride will end in one of four places:
A medical institution
A mental institution
A penal institution
A grave
Medical Institution
After long-term abuse, parts of the body may suffer significant if not catastrophic injury. Liver and kidney disease are serious but treatable. Further abuse resulting in failure of these organs may require significant treatment such as dialysis, transplants, and serious medication. If the addict doesn't stop, death is almost certain.
Mental Institution
Many addicts also have mental health issues. Today, this is known as “dual diagnosis”. These problems range from mild to severe and require a specialized form of treatment. There are a growing number of hospital-based and independent treatment centers specializing in patients who have the dual diagnosis of addiction and mental health issues.
Penal Institution
The severity of punishment by imprisonment is based on the severity of the crime and the criminal history of the individual. I’ve seen cases of men and women who turn to serious crime in order to support their addiction, usually resulting in long prison sentences. At the other end of the spectrum, people have been convicted of multiple “Driving Under the Influence” (DUI) offenses and been imprisoned for various periods. Some have been convicted of DUI with one or more children in the car resulting in multiple felonies that include Driving To Endanger and Child Endangerment.
A Grave
People addicted to alcohol and/or drugs die every day. Sadly, they are not able to get honest with themselves about being powerless over their drug of choice.
There Is A Solution
If the alcoholic or addict is able to get honest, is able to admit defeat, there are many avenues for help ranging from detoxification facilities, sober treatment facilities, and recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.
The issue of getting honest is directly related to the depth of the elevator ride. In my case, I was able to ‘get off the elevator’ midway to hell. I’ve seen many who have done the same. I’ve also seen many who get worse.
For more in addiction, visit my blog at: ronguerriero.substack.com or contact me directly at: ron@recoverylessons.com