Nothing is Hopeless

When it comes to charitable causes, some issues get more support than others. Unfortunately, there is a lot of stigma around addiction that makes people question if it's worth their effort to support.

"Because the addiction-treatment system is so ineffective, people assume addicts can't get well--that they're hopeless," writes David Sheff in his book "Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America's Greatest Tragedy."

"Because of the failure of prevention strategies, people assume that no matter what anyone does, kids are going to use. But both prevention and treatment fail for the same reason: the stigma of addiction that is based on the widely held but archaic view that good people don't use; bad people do ... Yet, as I've reported, 80 percent of America's children will at least try alcohol or other drugs [according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse]. Do we really believe most of our children are bad?"

Addicts weren't children who wanted to be addicts when they grew up, and no one thinks they will get addicted. When you are addicted, your brain tells you that you need drugs the way that the brain of someone who doesn't struggle with addiction tells them that they need food. It's a disease, not a choice. If you were starving and food was as difficult to get as drugs were, you'd do some pretty desperate things to get it too.

The goal of the Smart Start Coalition is to prevent underage drinking, marijuana use and prescription drug abuse. And it's a tall order. Prevention is so difficult, not because people are naturally drawn to drugs, but because so many things in our lives make it more likely we will use them (a low perception of harm, access from friends and family, adverse childhood experiences).

But it's not hopeless.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it's important to get help right away. The number for the East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse is 800-441-8639.

If you are interested in joining a prevention coalition in Gregg, Marion, or Harrison counties, we'd love to have your help. Call 903-939-9010 for more information.

It will take small steps that add up to big changes.