Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I'm Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
'I need another drink.'
'I need to smoke a cigarette.'
'I need more drugs.'
Voice 1
When do things that we like become addictions? An addiction is when a person depends too much on something - either physically or mentally. If you are addicted to something you feel that you cannot manage without it. It is very difficult to break away from something when you are addicted. Suppose someone is addicted to alcohol. They feel the need to drink it. They depend on alcohol to help them manage each day.
Voice 2
This was the experience of Laura Hall. When Laura is not drinking, she is a normal young woman. But when she starts drinking, she cannot stop. She is an alcoholic. When she drinks, she becomes angry, and she fights.
Voice 1
In 2010, Laura became famous in the United Kingdom. But she was not famous for good reasons. She was famous because the courts banned her from entering any bar, dancing club and drinking place in all of England and Wales. She was also not permitted to buy or drink alcohol in any public place. This was the first time the British courts had put a national alcohol ban on a person. At this time, she was only twenty years old. But she had already been charged with many alcohol-related crimes.
Voice 2
At first, the alcohol ban only caused more problems for Laura. Because of the ban, many people criticized her, and laughed at her problems. She continued to drink - at home, and with her friends. And she continued to have serious fights. But finally, she began to see things differently. She felt that her life was not good. But Laura could not stop drinking without help. So she went to live at a rehabilitation home - a place where people stop using alcohol or drugs and begin treatment for their addiction. She told Closer magazine,
Voice 3
"There is nothing good about drinking too much alcohol. I want my story to help other girls stop drinking alcohol...Now I have more energy...I have lost weight, and I want more for my life. Instead of drinking alcohol, I sometimes treat myself to sweet foods. I spend time doing things like watching films, and researching colleges...I feel so lucky I got help. Now I want to give something back and help other people with alcohol problems."
Voice 1
However, stopping any addiction is not easy. In January 2011, Laura was arrested again, for drinking too much alcohol and fighting. Laura returned to the rehabilitation home. She has continued the difficult process of recovery. This process is something many recovering addicts know well.
Voice 2
Laura's alcohol addiction does not just cause her legal problems. It also causes serious health problems. Laura is still young, but she has already experienced these problems. She gained unhealthy weight. She also experienced mental problems like anger, and depression. Over time, alcoholics can also have serious problems with their organs – like their stomach, heart and liver.
Voice 1
Alcohol addiction is only one kind of addiction that can damage a person's body. The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco kills four million people every year. Most people that use tobacco smoke it in cigarettes. The World Health Organization also reports that over 15 million people have drug use disorders. And addiction to drugs can cause MANY serious health conditions – including death. In the beginning, many addicts do not see the damage their addiction has on their health. But over time the effects of addiction can be very serious.
Voice 2
So what causes addiction? Well, addiction is like a sickness. It changes the way a person's brain and body works. When a person is addicted to something, he depends on that substance – often physically and mentally. The addictive substance makes a person feel good. It gives them strong feelings of pleasure. This make the person feel like they HAVE to have it. When a person stops using a substance they are addicted to, it causes withdrawal. For example, when a drug addict stops using drugs, he gets very sick. His body may shake. He may hallucinate, seeing things that do not exist. His mind will not work properly. Over time, these problems will end - but some addicts find withdrawal too difficult. However, with help, many addicts can make it through.
Voice 1
Addiction does not end when withdrawal ends. Even when a person does not physically need the drug, he will still want it. This is because addiction changes a person's brain. All drugs, including alcohol and cigarettes, work the same way. They create good feelings of pleasure in the brain. This is why people use them! But when a person becomes addicted, they need the drug to feel these good feelings. Over time, a person needs more and more of the drug to feel good. Even after withdrawal, the brain still sends the message that it NEEDS the drug.
Voice 2
Addiction recovery is a long process. Part of this process is re-training the brain. But it is also important for addicts to recognize why they started drinking, using drugs or smoking. Addictions usually start because of other problems in a person's life. Using drugs or alcohol is a way to deal with pressure and pain. But when a person stops using drugs or alcohol, those pressures and pain do not disappear. Addicts will always have desires to return to their addictive substances. It often happens at times when their emotions are troubled. Unhealthy desires, or temptations, are harder to fight at times like this. An addict must deal with their original problems, or they will return to their addictions.
Voice 1
If you are fighting an addiction, you do not have to fight alone. Getting help is the most important part of fighting addiction - from a doctor, a counsellor, a religious leader or even an addiction group. There are many resources to help. Doctors can help people deal with the physical and mental effects of addiction. And counsellors and religious leaders can help people deal with the emotional and spiritual effects. But addiction groups are also very important.
Voice 2
For example, many alcoholics have found help from Alcoholics Anonymous. In this group, many alcoholics meet together. They tell their stories. They encourage each other. Most importantly, each person has a sponsor. If a person feels temptation, he can call this friend at any time. The sponsor will help the person fight temptation and choose NOT to drink alcohol. This method has helped many people stop drinking. There are also similar groups for illegal drugs.
Voice 1
Fighting an addiction can feel hopeless. But there IS hope. Many people have successfully fought against the temptations of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, and won! This fight does not happen all at one time. Instead, it happens one step at a time. Admitting the addiction is the first step. Getting help is the next step. And every step brings you into a new and better life.
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