Abuse vs. Addiction

Interview with Paul Karras – Hunterlink Recovery Services

Last week I caught up with Paul Karras, from Hunterlink Recovery Services. I met with Paul to get a better understanding of drugs and addiction, substance abuse and their effect on people in Australia, and we discussed many topics, chief among them substance abuse and addiction.

Paul Karras has 10 years experience with The Salvation Army as a senior counsellor in Dual Diagnosis, with emphasis on Addiction and Mental Health. With a wealth of experience and information on Drug use, addiction, patterns and recovery, who better to talk to about Substance Abuse and addiction?

Why do people use drugs?

A frequently asked question; in Paul’s breadth of experience the most common answer is ‘it makes me feel good’.

Drugs; be they alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, depressants, stimulants or psychoactive; all have a common effect on users…….The effect of a ‘numbing’ anaesthesia.

This means the user is 'numbed’ to the world around them. This means they don’t have to deal with their problems……. they are numb to them. They don’t have to experience the emotion, the depth or breadth of issues that a person may feel, as the drug numbs them to the outside world, reality, and all the harsh things in it.

Abuse vs. Addiction

One of the key themes that were present in my talk with Paul was Abuse vs. addiction, and how this plays out in people’s lives. The two are not mutually exclusive, but there is a clear distinction.

Within abuse of substances, there are great variations in patterns of use, frequency, amount etc.

Using Marijuana as an example, we can say that within the spectrum of people that use this drug, some are; very frequent (everyday); some less frequent and some perhaps only on few occasions per year, and then everything in between. This makes for a very broad spectrum of users of this drug.

Within this spectrum lie many different types of users with different reasons for their use. Some could be considered a more social user, one that consumes only when in an ‘appropriate’ situation, or with peers. Another on the other ends of the scale; may use the drug frequently when alone and not in social situations.

Using alcohol as an example, we could say that a social user is someone that seldom drinks, and then only on occasions when friends/colleagues are also enjoying a few. On the other end of the spectrum, someone that is abusing the substance may do so when not in a socially accepted situation, or at home alone, and in high quantity or frequency.

When we come to discuss addiction, we can say that abusers can be addicts, but that not all abusers are addicts. Drug addiction or substance dependence is a complex issue. There are many factors at play;

·         It can be agreed that addiction is a compulsive behaviour that originates in the unconscious mind.

·         Addiction can be inherited, through genetics and family background.

·         Many people with addictions may have other psychiatric disorders, which complicates matters.

·         Addiction can be classified as with physiological dependence, or without.

Addiction is a progressive illness, it is not static. An addict of a certain substance will use an amount, and when this amount no longer has the desired effect, they will up the amount. This has the effect of leading to an increased tolerance to the drug, and an escalation of need.

There are also a whole host of other issues including; cultural factors, peer pressure, social norms and psychological issues. These will not be discussed here in detail, but enough to acknowledge that these and other factors all combine to make this a complex issue.

Drug Dependence

Drug dependence means that a person needs a drug to function normally. Abruptly stopping the drug leads to withdrawal symptoms. Drug addiction is the compulsive use of a substance, despite its negative or dangerous effects.

There is much contention over whether cannabis is addictive or not. In Paul’s years of experience, it very much is.

Reliance on substances is a mental reliance. It is a coping mechanism, a living process that leaves users with a lack of coping skills, beyond reaching for their ‘crutch’.

When a person with dependence does not consume the drug, the effect is called detox. Heroin, Methamphetamine and certain other drugs, when not consumed, will result in a period of withdrawal, or detox.

According to Paul, the detox period for heavy users of opiates (heroin etc.), amphetamines etc. varies, but should be no longer than 5 days. For marijuana, though the period can be significantly longer. A  physiological dependence may not be present, but a mental dependence is. Detoxification for users of higher amounts of drugs is always worse; more prolonged, more traumatic.

From my conversations with Paul, he was able to give me some very good information on drugs of abuse and substance addiction, changing some of my preconceived notions about abuse and addiction, and giving me a real insight into addiction and substance abuse.

Hunterlink Recovery Services provide a vital link in support, recovery and welfare services available to the community and for workers and their families nationwide; they help with recovery of people with Substance abuse and other issues such as problem gambling, anxiety and depression. They work in conjunction with employers with established Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as well as members of the community. A link to their website can be found here http://hunterlink.org.au/

Original Article by Drug Test Australia

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