Normal responses
As a parent or close friend, I am sure you most likely attempted to speak to the person about their overuse of drugs or alcohol. And their change in behaviour or mannerisms towards you and others.
And it is certain their response was likely, “What are you talking about?” like there was nothing wrong. Or “I don’t have a problem, and how dare you?” when, in fact, that reaction is all you need to know. Because it is your first glimpse at denial.
Something is obviously wrong or out of place with the person, yet their first action is to return this to you as if you are mistrusting and delusional.
The Body Versus Toxic Substance
Drugs and alcohol change not only affect the physical aspects of a person but their personality as well. However, getting the person to see this change requires some knowledge about the substance and its effect on the person. When a drug like marijuana, cocaine, meth, or opiates are taken, including alcohol, there will be consequences. First affected is the body, a well-constructed organism.
This organism requires nutrients such as various proteins, minerals, vitamins, etc., as part of its building blocks. Drugs are poisons and antipathetic to the body. The body’s defences kick in to fight off the poison, and the depletion of such defences causes a physical reaction. With a lack of natural healthy building material – the proteins, minerals and vitamins that permit a body to function properly are weakened.
In some cases, for example, alcohol, the body gets rid of the poison, with severe stomach convulsions to purge the alcohol from the system through vomiting.
Body’s More Drastic Defence
With other drugs, the body cannot just purge the substance as with alcohol. In such cases, a shutdown occurs, bringing about unconsciousness, and the body lies limp. If it is more severe, the body overdoses. In overdoses, the shutdown is more permanent and often fatal.
When the body does not shut down, it simply runs on depletion and uses other physical chemistry to continue. This action causes organs to break down, causing gum decay, weight loss, aches in bones and muscles, liver sclerosis, respiratory problems, and so on.
The Mind Versus Foreign Substances
As for the mind, let us consider a tape recorder set on the cross-section of two busy streets in a major city, recording all, including sight and smell, etc. Now, add to this a tornado. What is played back is similar to what drugs do to the mind, but worse.
When a person is not under the influence of some substance, his mind functions normally. They can think clearly, know what is happening around them, recall information at will, and generally function well. When a person is ill, it will be noticed that not only is the body weakened but the mind as well. When a person consumes drugs or alcohol, the same thing occurs, but to a greater effect.
One Analogy would be
Consider the mind as a file cabinet full of memories of moments in one’s life, all filed by date, time, subject, relative importance, etc. The human mind is very precise. Now, when drugs are taken, it’s like someone getting into the file cabinet and mixing up the files.
Moreover, drugs glue, in a way, certain documents to other documents in other drawers, etc. In other words, the mind files become all confused. A situation that occurred on drugs yesterday may be remembered as something that happened ten years ago. Some drugs are worse: today is yesterday, and yesterday is tomorrow, and mom becomes a waitress at a restaurant, a dog becomes a bear, and lots of nonsense. It explains why speaking with high is so trying. They can barely keep a normal conversation.
Thought is Impeded
Later, when the person is no longer under the influence of a mind-altering substance, their natural ability to think is still impeded. They may have trouble remembering, forget where things are, go to one place and do something else. They can say things and then forget and argue that they didn’t say it. Basically, they are less able to use their mind as drugs do mess up the mind. The result is simply a less able person overall.
The Way Out of the Maize
As for the spirit, well, the above speaks for itself. People using mind-altering substances are less able in life compared to what they could be and achieve if they didn’t consume.
But there is a solution: professional detox and addiction counselling. The way out is through the Detox and Rehab process. At the very least, you are making living a productive, drug-free lifestyle possible. You can find help for drug rehabilitation in Canada here.
Marc J. Bernard
Author,
Substance Use Disorder & Recovery Professional,
Referral & Consultation Counsellor
