Addiction is a Disease

The concept of addiction for me personally is no longer new as a disease but after listening from the testimonies of the residents in one of the "Drug Rehabilitation in Tagaytay" where presently  I was doing my Clinical practicum in psychology, somehow helped me understand deeply the disease concept of addiction.

    In the center, I have discovered that addiction is not just a vice nor just a result from any experiences or problems that an individual went through, but this is a disease that cannot be cured.  Yes, it is somehow a result of a triggering experience, but it is a disease that can only be treated.  Like diabetes, it is a disease that can only be treated with proper medication but cannot be cured. Yes, it can be treated but it doesn't mean that you are already free from  it, precautions is still necessary because the disease is already part of your system.  In the case of addiction, an addict cannot say he is already free because he's already clean and sober.  Self-awareness is still necessary, he has to observed certain precautionary measures because anywhere and anytime it recurs. Once a person relapses, he certainly suffers for the rest of his life.  I have also learned that the disease concept of addiction has five phases.  It is indeed a disease because it is transmitted from one generation to the other.  The others phases aside from Genetics are primary, progressive, chronic and fatal.

      Most of the residents in the center can relate themselves in the Genetic phase.  By tracing in  their family tree, they have found out that most of their forefathers, grandparents, if not their parents, relatives and their siblings have different forms of addictions.  Drugs, nicotine, alcohol, gambling and even sex relationships as well were just but example of addictions.  So it is not a doubt that they too have acquired it.  Because they were not aware of it from the beginning, their addiction sparked when a triggering phenomena such as problems, pressures, difficulties and anxieties in life occurred. According to them their disease of addiction have already been present in the genes.  The second phase is Primary.  Most of them have classified themselves in the primary phase because their addiction started from peer pressures.  It was also a result of curiosity.  It leads them to do the same thing again until it became a habit. Much worst was when they became hooked and enslaved by it.  The third phase is Progressive.  In the beginning, it was only a try, an experiment and a shot until it became constant. Thus, it progresses.  It started with a peso, until it turns to thousands of pesos.  Small thing getting worst little by little until it turns into something big and unmanageable.  The fourth phase is chronic.  It is a phase where an addict suffered so much.  He even face the consequences of his actions.  Actions like robbery, stealing, etc...just to get something for their sustenance.  The last phase is fatal.  There are only three places that an addict can go in this phase.  First, in prison.  Second, in mental hospital and lastly, six feet below the ground.  No further explanation.

     However, knowing all these things, makes me more grateful to God realizing that His faithfulness never fades.  In fact, upon listening the testimonies of these recovering addict in the center inspired me so much to be passionate enough in this mission.  That God after all has a purpose for all of us.  He allowed these things to happen to these group of people because He has a wonderful plan in their lives.  He is not after of our past but of who will become of us in the future.  I was so touched with the sharing of a resident in the center. His addiction brought him for rehabilitation in the center and it is only in the center where he discovered his Higher Power.  He now realized that God has a purpose in his life.  Before, he was spiritually bankrupt. However, during his process of recovery in the center helps him to discover and know the presence of God in his life. He said  "The most beautiful thing was that the love and trust of my family and loved ones little by little is coming back to me". Then he smiled.  It was a smile of a prodigal son embracing the love and compassion  of the merciful Father.  This scenario moved me personally to honor and worship God  more deeply realizing that God is always there waiting for us to return anytime from our broken world within.  God's faithfulness never fails even if sometimes we falter.  His hand and his light will never bring us to a nightmare of sorrow but to a welcoming paradise of grace and happiness.  To God be the glory!