Many people wonder, who becomes an addict? The truth is, addiction does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter someone’s age, race, gender, financial background or social status. As was the case for Christina Huffington, the 24-year-old daughter of the editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post and prominent spokesperson, Arianna Huffington. Christina Huffington has recently spoken out about her struggles with addiction (primarily cocaine), an eating disorder, and anxiety (It is not uncommon for someone to suffer with more than one addiction, secondary addictions such as an eating disorder, or other disorders).
On the Today Show, Ariana and Christina Huffington said they hoped that by speaking out about her addiction struggles, they would encourage other young people who are suffering to get help. “Addiction can strike no matter what,” Christina Huffington said. “You can come from a loving family, you can have financial resources and you can still feel that pit of loneliness and emptiness and that desire to fill it with substances.” In an interview with Glamour magazine, Christina said that by talking about her problems with drugs, food and anxiety, they have become less painful.
Dr. Lloyd Sederer, who wrote a follow up article about addiction, said, “Addiction is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.” The numbers regarding addiction are staggering. In 2009, U.S. casualties related to tobacco, alcohol and other drugs were 600,000. Addiction costs the government $468 billion a year (that’s not including the immeasurable toll it takes of families, businesses and communities). Yet, despite these numbers, the statistics show us that only one in 10 people seeks treatment for addiction.
Time and time again, we see the changing face of addiction. We are constantly reminded that addiction does not have a preference for who it afflicts. Addiction is a disease. It’s not the occasional use of drugs or alcohol that makes someone an addict. An addict is someone who continues to use a substance despite the harm that it’s causing to one’s relationships, work or personal health.
Who becomes an addict? Anyone.
