Holiday stress can trigger trouble for the addicted
Emotional losses may cause drug cravings

“Those addicted to drugs and/ or alcohol suffer more emotional and material losses which leads to escalated drug use resulting in more overdoses, suicide attempts, physical injuries and deaths during the holiday season than any other time of the year,” said Gary W. Smith, CEO of Narconon Arrowhead, one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education organizations. He was referring to a nationwide survey just completed by his organization.

According to Smith, a random survey was done on the 33,934 people that have contacted Narconon Arrowhead for help for an addiction problem since January. Narconon Arrowhead has been operating a tollfree drug information help line for 15 years and an Internet/email drug information site for the last 10 years. The surveyed group also included 561 people who entered the Narconon Arrowhead program for treatment since Jan. 1.

“We know from past experience that our websites, email information request line and our 1800 helpline traffic increases dramatically from Thanksgiving to the end of the year. These people seem to experience more drug and alcohol related emotional and physical problems during the holidays. This year we wanted to find out what drives people to call us and what problems addicts and/or their loved ones are experiencing that prompt them to make contact and reach for help,” said Smith.

Three important facts came from this study:

First, of those surveyed, 73 percent reported that addicts or their loved ones seem to experience more problems, upsets and emotionally traumatic situations during the winter holiday season than any other national holiday or event of the year.

Second, 61 percent of those who entered treatment this year reported that they were motivated to do so because of increasing bouts of addiction related depression and guilt brought on by significant losses in their life which prompted stronger cravings to use

and more drug/alco

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four most common types of loss were loss of family relationships, loss of self respect or self esteem, loss of employment, and financial loss or loss of material worth.

Third, of the people surveyed, nearly 80 percent did not understand how one becomes an addict and wondered if addiction could ever be cured.

Smith said the cravings for drugs and alcohol, linked with the guilt and depression an addict experiences due to their declining quality of life and relationships with family and friends, is magnified during times when family and friends get together to socialize and interact.

“The holiday season is the time for family, and when addiction has entered into this relationship it can turn this joyous time into one of severe stress,” said Smith.

Smith said something can be done about addiction. “Most people afflicted by substance abuse do not grasp the concept of the actual mechanics of addiction which is the first step to take in solving this problem. Once a person can fully understand what is causing a problem, solutions begin to present themselves.”

Narconon Arrowhead is gearing up its efforts to make easilyunderstood information available for anyone who wants to learn what addiction is and what can be done about it.

“Lives can be saved, families reunited and communities made stronger through understanding the mechanics of addiction and what workable solutions are available,” said Smith.

The Narconon Organization has been in operation for more than 40 years and Smith has more than 30 years of experience in the substance abuse treatment field.

For more information, call Narconon Arrowhead at (800) 468-6933 or visit the website at www.stopaddiction.com.

This story is provided by Narconon of Oklahoma Inc.