Addiction

Practically everyone knows someone that faces addiction. Whether it be smoking, drinking, sex, prescription drugs or harder, more potent illegal drugs, their phones/computers, or video games my guess is that we have all been exposed to it, either personally or peripherally.

No one starts out choosing to be addicted. It is never that simple.

Addiction is a disease. Period. It does not matter if you are a well to do, respected in the community volunteer who is hooked on Vicodan or someone down on their luck looking for their next fix. These days the addictions that plagued our younger generations include vaping and technology (cell phones, video games, social media). Either way, the disease is real.

Addiction also affects everyone around you in some way. We have all seen the pictures of a grandmother passed out in her van from an overdose while a young child sits in the back seat. You may have experienced a loved one dying from lung cancer due to cigarettes or liver failure from alcoholism. The fact is that addiction touches us all.

The first very important point I would like to make is this. It is not our place to judge. We have no idea what has happened in someone’s life for them to turn to their drug of choice. Most become outcasts because they are so deep into the addiction that they do not want anything else. But stop and think, “What (or who or how) brought them to this place?” To do any less than that is to turn away from compassion each human deserves.

Why?

So let’s start with the WHY of addiction. What happens that one day, someone makes a choice to try a cigarette, a drink, a hit, a pill, pick up that phone….

“Most drug addictions start with experimental use of a drug in social situations. For some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. The risk of addiction and how fast you become dependent varies by drug. Some drugs have a higher risk and cause dependency more quickly than others. As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it’s increasingly difficult to go without the drug.”

So you are out with your friends and someone buys you your very first drink. You accept and sip away. You begin to feel less inhibited, you are having fun, you like this less rigid you. So, the next time you go out, you accept more drinks and you feel good. Pretty soon, you feel like you cannot feel good without drinking, so you have a beer when you get home from work. That beer turns into two. You watch a sporting event or go out with your friends and the drinks flow. It starts affecting your work, your home life. We all recognize the horror waiting to happen when we see a drunk driver.

My Addiction Story

I started smoking when I was 12. It was to impress a boy I liked. His name was Randy. My friends and I used to steal our parents cigarettes and walk around the block to smoke them. Every afternoon during lunch, I would sneak to have a cigarette with Randy. By the end of high school, I was a full time smoker and did so for the next 32 years. It became a habit. Even though I knew the risks, I simply could not find a way to stop. I tried. 7 times over the years. I consistently had bronchitis, strep throat and fits of coughing at the most inopportune times. I got pneumonia and because I could not work, I ended up homeless. And I still smoked.

My addiction stopped the minute cigarettes went to $10 a pack (the tax was almost as much as a pack of cigarettes). I simply could not afford a pack a day anymore. So, basically, I was forced to quit. Cold turkey. I have not had a cigarette in over 15 years.

After a month of withdrawal and physical symptoms from smoking for so long, I was able to be healthy again. My selection of Emerald and Rose Quartz helped me to get through all of the withdrawal symptoms, physical illness and emotional break downs. And the fact I am one hard headed little Rebel 🙂

I would not pick up a cigarette today. I know the health risks and I went through many of them. It was a forced withdrawal to be sure! If cigarettes were not as expensive as they were, I would probably still be smoking. That is what addiction does to a person.

Addiction sneaks up on you

You have had surgery and are given pain pills. They are very helpful in keeping your pain levels down while you recover. After you are fully healed, you continue to take them. Why? because they make you feel better. You believe they are helping the emotional pain you feel over a trauma or event in your past. You like the feeling of numbness. It is much better than anguish. So you ask for more or find more on your own.

Your son has exams at school and is very worried that he will not do well. A friend offers him an Adderall, which is a type of amphetamine given to kids with ADHD. Peer pressure. Your son takes it and is amazed at how much work he can get done in a day! He is bright and alert and feels like he can do anything. He gets more. And more. He loves this feeling! He is now addicted.

These are just some of the innocent faces of addiction.

What is addiction?

So what is addiction? Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences. The two properties that characterize all addictive stimuli are that they are reinforcing (i.e., they increase the likelihood that a person will seek repeated exposure to them) and intrinsically rewarding (i.e., perceived as being positive or desirable). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction

“Your brain works like a spring when it comes to addiction. Drugs and alcohol are brain depressants that push down the spring. They suppress your brain’s production of neurotransmitters like noradrenaline. When you stop using drugs or alcohol it’s like taking the weight off the spring, and your brain rebounds by producing a surge of adrenaline that causes withdrawal symptoms.” https://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/withdrawal.htm

Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

• Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — this can be daily or even several times a day
• Having intense urges for the drug
• Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
• Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
• Spending money on the drug, even though you can’t afford it
• Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
• Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re under the influence of the drug
• Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/basics/symptoms/CON-20020970 (This is an amazing and information filled article I feel everyone should read. If you suspect someone you know may have an addiction, this is chock full of information including Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug.)

There is no one remedy to addiction. But there are modalities that can aid in the withdrawal from them.

Healing

The first step to healing from addiction is to admit there is a problem. The second is to gather a healthy, positive, support team. You simply have to stop hanging around those who enabled your addiction.

Now the work begins.

Remember the spring analogy? Withdrawal from the addiction is described like this. “When you stop using drugs or alcohol it’s like taking the weight off the spring, and your brain rebounds by producing a surge of adrenaline that causes withdrawal symptoms.”

Below is a list of possible withdrawal symptoms and some crystal energy that can give you gentle strength and support. They will not do the work for you, that is up to you, but they can soothe and comfort as you go through the process.

Let me take some time here to recommend some crystals that can possible ease the symptoms of withdrawal.

Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms and the crystals that will offer support

Anxiety: Blue Calcite, Dumortierite, Lapis Lazuli, Lepidolite, Lithium in Quartz, Manganocalcite, Sodalite or Black Tourmaline are some of the crystals that can help to reduce anxiety and find calm.

Restlessness: Use Copper to address any feelings of restlessness and ease those feelings.

Irritability: Hypersthene, Magnesite, and/or Citron can help to lessen the severity of the irritability.

Insomnia: Some of my favorite crystals to use for insomnia include: Amethyst, Ametrine, Dumortierite, Hematite, Howlite, Lepidolite, Moonstone, Orbicular Sea Jasper, Sodalite, Tourmaline, Blue (Indicolite)

Poor Concentration: To regain some focus and concentration, consider Citrine, Hematite, Moss Agate, Orbicular Sea Jasper, Ruby, Smoky Quartz, Topaz or Tourmaline

Depression: Lepidolite, Pink Botswana Agate, Blue/Pink/or purple Chalcedony, Dioptase, Green Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Petalite, Sapphire and Sunstone are just a few that can aid in reducing depression.

Social Isolation: Rose Quartz, Rose Quartz, Rose Quartz! Others to consider would include Morganite, Pink Kunzite, Pink Chalcedony, Danburite (Pink) or Manganocalcite.

Physical Withdrawal Symptoms and the crystals that will offer support

Physical Withdrawal Symptoms can often be the most difficult to go through. It is very important that this be done in a medical facility that understands what is going to happen or with a solid support team that is dedicated to seeing it through, all the way, to the end (and new beginning).

Racing heart/Palpitations: Zoisite, Green Aventurine, Emerald, Rhodonite or Garnet should help to stabilize the racing heart and/or palpitations

Muscle tension: Celestite, Iolite, Serafinite, Smithsonite, and/or Stilbite can help to alleviate muscle tension and relax the muscles. Amazonite or Petalite can reduce any muscle spasms. Chrysocolla or Dioptase for cramping.

Tightness in the chest: Celestite, Iolite, Serafinite, Smithsonite or Stilbite can relax the muscles in the chest area.

Difficulty breathing: Amber, Howlite, Iolite, or Rhodochrosite can aid in reducing breathing issues. Dolomite will help with oxygenation.

Tremor/Shakes: Copper would also be beneficial here as well.

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea: Green Aventurine (Nausea), Dumortierite (Nausea), Emerald (Nausea and vomiting), Jasper (Nausea), Lapis Lazuli (vomiting) Sapphire (Nausea)

I have listed several crystals for each symptom. Use your intuition to choose the ones that feel right to you.

Other Application Suggestions

Preparing charged water (make sure to check my crystal cautions list first. Click the link to get a FREE download) to create crystal waters that can help ease the symptoms may be beneficial.

For those who want to help someone who may not believe in the healing capability of crystals, place a grid under their bed (preferably while they are out) to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal.

Follow your intuition. You will understand how you can best help. Above all, do not walk away or desert the addicted. They need you more than ever NOW.

with love and crystal blessings,

Kristi

Crystal Suggestions were shared from The Handy Little Crystal List Reference Guide by Kristi Hugs.

KristiHugs.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents here in are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.