The Horrible Reality of Addiction

This harrowing video encapsulates the process by which a person becomes addicted to something. You will see how the poor bird avoids the temptation, then over time becomes more desperate to find that quick fix. Over time you also see how the birds periods of ecstasy last shorter and shorter and his landings become harder and more painful.Over time it becomes harder to function and move and eventually the poor creatures world becomes slower, bleaker and darker.

Its still hard for me to look at this video sometimes. As a person who loves animals this is quite difficult to watch. This is quite a sad video but necessary viewing for one to understand the detrimental effects of addiction.

Before I studied social work i used to think that addiction only meant typically drugs and alcochol. Now I understand that there are also other forms of addiction, such as gambling or the urge to steal., pyromania (the urge to set things on fire)

Food (eating)

Sex

Pornography (attaining, viewing)

Using computers / the internet

Playing video games

Working

Exercising

Spiritual obsession (as opposed to religious devotion)

Pain (seeking)

Cutting

Shopping

etc.

It is quite easy to just blame an individual for their actions but one must always take into account the social and cultural context behind each individuals lives. Understanding context is vital as well as maintaining respect and empathy. These are two qualities that I still need to work on.