Chemical Dependency

By Patrick Mclemore

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The human body and mind are still not completely understood by scientists today.

Considering the incredible advances in technology over the last hundred years, there are still areas about human behavior that baffle even the best of minds. One of those areas is chemical dependency.

Since the beginning of humankind, there seems to have been many forms of chemical dependency that have eventually caused problems either socially, physically or mentally.

In modern times, we don't have to look far to notice the numerous advertisements of chemicals. With the advent of television and the thirty-second commercial, some of us are well informed about which chemical does what, probably more so than any generation before us.

You may be asking yourself: What are chemicals? What does it mean to be chemically dependent? Strictly speaking, a chemical is everything you touch and anything you see other than light or electricity. But let's talk specifically about dealing with chemicals that cause addiction and addictive behaviors.

One of the simplest observations an individual can look to see whether or not they are chemically dependent is this: If you think you have a problem then you probably do.

Do you depend on it to make you feel a certain way? Do you use the chemical more frequently than those around you? Do you find yourself having a hard time being without it? Do you think of it more when you don't have any than when you do?

One key element in chemical dependency is the obsessive behavior affiliated with it. If you can take it or leave it, you may not have a problem. But when was the last time when you did take it or did leave it? Nobody wants to be dependent on a chemical, but for the addicted, there is no longer a choice.

Sometimes, the individual affected will not accept this reality and denial sets in. This is more common than not. It seems to be a normal stage of addiction at one point or another.

Rarely is there an individual that will suddenly realize they have a chemical dependency problem, immediately accept it and seek the required treatment. Usually what happens is a long list of negative behaviors, poor choices and months or years of trying to live a normal life while remaining chemically dependent.

The two do not mix and eventually everything will come crashing down around them. For some, they will consider this rock bottom and they will look for help. For others, it will take a lot more than this to stop them; jails, institutions or death.

Unfortunately for family members, friends and employers, there is no sure fire way of knowing when a person is ready to stop. There are the common signs of hopelessness and helplessness. But only the individual themselves can make the decision to accept outside help.

Entering a treatment program, it is best for the dependent person and those around them to remember that chemical dependency is a disease. When seeking help, the addicted individual is not a bad person trying to become good, they are a sick person suffering from a disease trying to get well.