Here on Huffington Post is an excellent article suggesting that addiction occurs much less frequently for people who take mind-altering substances and have a life with sufficient quality human connection. It seems to underpin my theory that recreational or "festive" use does not have the same addictive effect than using/drinking to forget.
I don't quite agree with the article's theory that it is not the "chemical hook" that creates addiction, but I too have the sneaking suspicion that the chemical hook is not the only culprit. There are many behaviours which don't involve taking substances (think gambling, sex, running) yet involve a "rush" (usually a release of adrenaline) which can lead to addiction. The chemical hook is still there, but produced by our own brain.
So maybe we should worry less about keeping away from drugs and alcohol and more about having a preventative attitude regarding mental health.
Maybe the point is to protect children (and not just our own, but as a society in general) from abuse and trauma, to allow them to grow into emotionally functioning adults, who will be capable of looking after their needs without self-medicating...
I don't quite agree with the article's theory that it is not the "chemical hook" that creates addiction, but I too have the sneaking suspicion that the chemical hook is not the only culprit. There are many behaviours which don't involve taking substances (think gambling, sex, running) yet involve a "rush" (usually a release of adrenaline) which can lead to addiction. The chemical hook is still there, but produced by our own brain.
So maybe we should worry less about keeping away from drugs and alcohol and more about having a preventative attitude regarding mental health.
Maybe the point is to protect children (and not just our own, but as a society in general) from abuse and trauma, to allow them to grow into emotionally functioning adults, who will be capable of looking after their needs without self-medicating...