Addiction is much closer to home than we realise

Drug abuse is a very real problem in Zululand, a scourge clearly illustrated in the previous edition of the ZO’s front page story.

It highlighted the rapid rise in cocaine usage.

Most recent substance abuse statistics show dagga remains the drug most used by those who enter Sanca Zululand’s programmes, with alcohol in second place at 24%, whoonga in third place at 17%, followed by cocaine now at 11%.

While it is high profile drugs such as cocaine, whoonga and dagga that regularly make the headlines, we must not forget that other, more socially-accepted and legal substances such as alcohol and nicotine are also highly addictive.

Even substances such as overthe-counter cough mixtures are now being used by teenagers wanting to enjoy the feeling of getting high, not realising how addictive these easily-accessible medicines can become.

No one ever intends to become an addict.

Sugar is also highly addictive, with withdrawal symptoms said to be similar to cocaine withdrawal.

And what about internet addiction? There is such a thing and some countries even have rehab facilities for internet addicts.

Social media addiction can cause a breakdown in family communication as parents choose to spend their time flicking through Instagram or Facebook rather than talking to their children about their day.

What example is being set to those children?

An article published in August by the Wall Street Journal entitled ‘Digital addictions are drowning us in dopamine’, suggested rising rates of depression and anxiety in First World countries could be owing to our brains becoming hooked on the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure.

According to addiction expert, Dr Anna Lembke, our smartphones are making us dopamine junkies with each action feeding our habit.

She says we are all addicts to a degree, and calls the smartphone the ‘modern-day hypodermic needle’ as we turn to it for quick hits, seeking attention, validation and distraction with each swipe.

This is a frightening scenario, with people – especially youngsters - almost being considered outcasts should they refuse to use it.

It’s high time we realise that drugs are not only illegal substances, but are right under our noses every minute of every day.

We must choose between giving in to the addiction and possibly losing relationships, or putting down that phone to catch up with people in real life.