Font ResizeMost of us know someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Or, we know a family who has a loved one struggling. In some cases, we are the addict, but we're also in denial.
Our hope for this series---Break the Cycle---is to be honest about where addiction starts and why it is so powerful.
This report is going to focus on what addiction is costing our state. We're also going to hear from, Dr. Donna Malhoney, a psychologist who will help us understand this vicious cycle of addiction.
Thousands of people in Alaska are struggling: struggling to make ends meet; struggling to be happy; struggling with the darkness, cold weather and at times, strong feelings of isolation. Doctors say it's only natural to want to escape.
"When there's pain, when there's a death, a loss of some sort--it's that substance that I turn to," said Dr. Donna Malhoney, Psychologist.
Turning to drugs and alcohol has become such a statewide health problem, officials routinely refer to it as a cancer on
"I doubt that you could find a family in Alaska that hasn't been impacted either within their family unit or through a friend," said Malhoney.
Take a close look at the numbers and you begin to understand why this problem impacts all of us.
Alaska spends $123 million dollars in health care due to addictions.
In 2004, there were 75 drug rehabilitation and addiction treatment centers across the state, the majority receiving some type of state funding.
Inside these treatment centers, expect to see as many teens as adults. We sat down with one teen who started taking ecstasy in the seventh grade.
"Seventh grade was like a doorway to more drugs. Like once you get into middle school," said Former Teen Drug Addict, Anchorage, Alaska.
What other drugs are we talking about?
"You see a lot of like meth going around these days. Mostly meth, E and teenagers in high school are starting to do crack as well," said Former Teen Drug Addict.
Many of us know what substances people are abusing. The fundamental question now is: why the cycle continues?
"That doesn't usually continue unless there is a psychological payoff. Somewhere there is something that person does not want to feel--does not want to deal with. And that leads us into the idea of being a physical addiction, as well as a psychological addiction," said Malhoney.
A physical addiction is typically easier to break:
Your body has developed a need or a dependence of a certain substance.
Stop taking it, and there is a physical withdraw that the body eventually gets used to.
A psychological addiction is more dangerous because the substance has become your way of dealing with life.
"Touching everything feels better, talking...you love to talk. Every experience you do is amplified," said Former Teen Drug Addict.
It's an experience: a high: a desire to escape, that doctors say even the most unsuspecting people crave.
"We don't think of our doctor, who may be impaired and have a bottle in his bottom desk drawer. We don't think of the housewife who drinks when her husband is gone and her children are gone. We don't think of the teenager who is a high achiever but because of the stress and pressure is snorting cocaine. Yet, these are all there. I think it's important for us to understand, given the right set of circumstances, it could be any of us,” said Malhoney.
So, how do you know if you have a problem?
Doctors suggest asking yourself the following questions:
1. Can you get through the week without using alcohol or drugs (other than those prescribed by a doctor)?
2. Have you ever felt guilty about your alcohol/drug use?
3. Do you drink alone?
4. Do you require more alcohol to achieve the same effects?
5. Do you drink to relax?
6. Do you have a goal that you want to accomplish, but can't because of your addiction to a substance?
Now, you don't have to answer, 'yes,' to every question to have a serious problem.
Next time, we will take a closer look at the effects different substances have on your body. We'll also look at the long-term risks associated with chronic and binge drinking, and drug addiction.
To contact Raegan, call 907-273-3109
