Addiction is a very big problem that people, particularly youths are dealing with in today's world. People can get addicted to literally anything, from junk food to things like telling lies and then the most common one, substance intake. Today, more than 20 percent of the youth are addicted to taking hard substance. And whenever I see them, I cannot help but ask myself how they got there. How did they actually get them? Who forced them to get involved in it? In my hostel in school, the guy there smoked every evening. On days when they can’t afford to purchase the substance, they start behaving irrationally and the only thing that can calm down down is that hard substance. That's how bad addiction is. There's a wave of urge that ungulfs you and it doesn't leave until you satisfy its cravings.
Now, the question is: is addiction a choice or a disease. In my opinion, addiction is a choice. It is later on that it develops to being a disease. I have a particular saying that has helped me navigate life over the years; if you don’t want to get involved with something, then don’t get close to it in the first place.” The youths who are afficted to substance today did not just wake up and find themselves in that position. They didn't sleep and the next morning, they met a envelop filed with cannibis, smoke and marijuana. Absolutely not! It all started the moment they made the decision to get close to the substance, whether it is through friends or out of curiosity.
Curiosity kills. The moment the person decides to try the substance out, they have kick-started their addiction journey. “Let me just try it this once to know how it feels.” The moment they try that first time, they have already gotten initiated into the group. From one puff, to one stick and then to three, and then go a fully-blown addicted person. If they actually wanted to avoid getting addicted, then don’t get involved in it in the first place. For example, a person who starts smoking as a result of curiousity had a choice to choose between overcoming and taming their curiosity or subcumming to the first step of addiction and unfortunately, they chose the second.
Taking a good look at the youths in society, one if the factors that instigate addiction is peer group influence. Peer group influence works hand in hand with “the desire to feel among.” The friends you make influence your life significantly. Just kike the point I have above, as adults, we all have a choice to choose the kind of people we want to allow into our lives and the kind if people we want to make friends with. It is up to us to either choose upright and responsible friends or choose friends who are addicted to substance.
Choice is a very important factor when it comes to addiction. When a person has finally become afficted to a particular thing, the choice is no longer in their hands. That addiction has become a disease. A disease that controls their body. At this point, quitting become mentally and physically difficult.
In conclusion, addiction is extremely powerful and dangerous. When the ball is still in your court, make sure to do everything to make the best choice (avoid it.)
Thanks for reading.
The images used are mine.
