Impact of Addiction on Your Freedom
Freedom is one of the most important goals in life. From the time we are born, we start learning skills like talking, walking, and understanding complex subjects like math and science. These acquired skills and knowledge enable us to live independently, make our own decisions, and choose the life we want. Many religions even consider ultimate freedom as the final goal of life, often referred to as enlightenment.
There are three main types of freedom in a person's life:
Physical Freedom
As children, we depend on our parents and caretakers to meet our basic needs. We can't digest complex foods, keep ourselves clean, or protect ourselves from harm. As we grow and our brains develop, we learn to navigate our surroundings, communicate through language, and perform tasks like cooking and seeking medical help. This growing independence represents our physical freedom.
Psychological/Emotional Freedom
Throughout our early years, we learn to understand our nature and manage our emotions. By adulthood, most of us, unless suffering from a mental condition, can maintain a basic level of mental well-being through constructive behaviors and hobbies. We adapt to uncomfortable situations and form connections that create a calm and peaceful environment where we thrive.
Financial Freedom
While money isn't everything, it is essential for acquiring basic necessities and luxuries in modern society. To achieve financial freedom, we build skills, gain knowledge, and earn a livelihood. Education and problem-solving abilities help us earn money, which we use to buy food, shelter, clothing, and other needs. In today’s consumer-driven world, financial freedom is becoming increasingly important.
Impact of Substance Abuse and Addiction
When a person consumes alcohol or drugs, it affects their body, mind, and sense of self. While some effects might be temporary, addiction and prolonged exposure to substances can cause irreversible damage. For example, alcohol is a neurotoxin that can cause brain damage. According to the World Health Organization, harmful alcohol use is linked to over 200 diseases and injuries and accounts for 5.1% of the global burden of disease and injury.
Alcohol disrupts the brain's communication pathways, impairing cognitive functions and coordination. It affects decision-making, memory, and emotional regulation, leading to diminished mental clarity and judgment. Consequently, individuals struggle to function optimally in daily activities and relationships.
Substance abuse can lead to increased dependence on others, health issues, and higher lifestyle expenses. Addicts often prioritize their substance of choice over their responsibilities, neglecting their roles towards family and friends.
For instance, during my struggle with alcohol addiction, I neglected my duties as a mother and wife, which led to immense guilt and more drinking. My husband stopped trusting me with money and constantly searched for hidden bottles. I put myself in dangerous situations, couldn’t be trusted with my own safety, lied, stole from my family, and made reckless decisions that landed me in intensive care.
This behavior cost me my relationships and my physical, financial, and emotional freedom. True freedom isn’t about following the whims of our mind but being mindful of our actions and their consequences for ourselves and others.
Real freedom lies beyond our ego, where we act responsibly, keeping in mind collective well-being.