Alcoholism and addiction can affect anyone
Many people think of alcoholics and addicts as being weak people who do not have the strength of mind to control their addiction. The classic picture is of the drunk on the park bench or the addict with a needle in his arm in a public toilet but alcoholism, drug addiction and gambling addiction can affect anyone.
Another misconception is that addiction is something that happens to the rich and famous in the creative arts industry. Your rock musicians, celebrity models, actors and artists. They have an excessive lifestyle with access to drink and drugs and a fast lifestyle. They get drawn in to it all and then become addicted.
Alcoholism and Addiction affects people from all backgrounds
The reality is that these two extreme visions hide the reality. That most addicts and alcoholics are normal everyday people who sometimes live a seemingly successful life. They are a complete cross-section of society. It includes lawyers, doctors, dentists, bank managers, scientists, business owners, plumbers, electricians, office workers, gardeners, engineers, journalists, actors, musicians. And people from just about every profession you could imagine. And those with no profession or job. We meet all of these people in private alcohol and drug rehab.
Sometimes there is a history of addiction in the family. And it is true there tends to be a genetic link. Sometimes though there is not and the person is the only person (hitherto) in the family who has the problem. Alcoholics and addicts can be driven, successful intelligent people. People at the top of their profession. Sometimes it is this drive to succeed and the consequent need to relax quickly with alcohol or a substance that leads them to their addiction in the first place. Sometimes it is boredom of not having a job or successful career (any more) that leads them to the addiction. Or a low self worth.
There is no one certain age group that is more susceptible
Alcoholism and addiction can affect people of all ages. We have had alcoholics attend the Haynes Clinic who are still in their late teens. Though it is true that the most common age for someone to have to address their alcoholism for the first time is in their late 30s or 40s. By which time they have gone through the fun stage of drinking in their 20s, the bad habit of drinking in their 30s and enter the really destructive phase in their 40s.
For addicts it is common to come to some sort of crisis with their using in their late 20s and early 30s. That said, we have had clients in the Haynes Clinic who are still using heroin or cocaine in their 50s. Or still drinking alcoholically in their 60s and 70s. Even 80s – it is never too late to stop and live the remainder of our days in much happier sobriety.
So next time you read of a celebrity with alcoholism or addiction (or sadly their death from the illness) or hear of a homeless alcoholic found dead in the street, remember that this is the tip of the iceberg. Many thousand more ‘ordinary’ people are affected. Whether you are rich and powerful or down on your luck or somewhere in between, you too can get well and live your life free of alcohol and addiction.
