THE SUCCESSFUL DU – THE HIGH-PROFILE ADDICT Who is an addict? When we think of an addict the first picture that comes to mind is a dishevelled, untidy, person who has no aim or direction in life, just drifting from day-to-day, without any direction or purpose. He or she has extreme mood swings, and is either depressed or over elated. They are undisciplined and pay little attention to hygiene or grooming. They have no career or financial status and more often than not, appear to be physically frail. This is the prototype that movies and television serials have planted in our minds, and we tend to judge people along these lines. Lack of awareness, and preconceived notions are ever present in the so called “all the knowledge is available” society. However, this is not always the case. In order to recognize the different types of addicts / alcoholics, or potential addict and alcoholics, we need to erase this stereotype of the addict that is present in our minds. There are individuals who fall in a different category of addicts. These are people who indulge in mind-altering mood changing substances but are able to cover up their habit very successfully. This type of addict is able to camouflage their addiction or even convince family and friends that they are either not indulging in drugs (total denial) or that their use of drugs or mind-altering chemicals is very limited (minimizing) or in fact enhances their quality of work (justifying). These are some of the types of denial that these individuals utilize to avoid being labelled a drug addict. These people are very successful in their careers, have a happy family and healthy friends circle, and appear to be living a very balanced life. They enjoy professional success, maintain active social lives, retain their financial status and are appreciated and respected in society. However, there is another side to this personality that lies hidden behind a mask of false confidence and cannot be seen by the world around. To the family and world around these people appear to be very successful and polished individuals. They are able to put up a good show to the world around and everything goes well, until, because of the pressure their drug / alcohol intake increases, triggering off a downhill slide. We can call this type of addict, the high-profile drug user / alcoholic. We need to be able to identify these traits in a person before it gets too late and the destruction sets in. In order to do this, we need to look for signs and symptoms and then, with the help of professionals working the field of addiction approach the person. We cannot just bluntly confront the person because it would only close all probable doors and the addict will not be accessible. Here are five signs to look out for to identify if one of your loved ones is a high-profile addict. 1. Making excuses for their indulgence: A high-profile addict may resort to justifying their indulgence by saying that everyone in their line of work smokes or drinks. They will further justify that they deserve the drug as it helps them relax and enhances the quality of their work. 2. Drinking or doing more drugs than intended: Such a person will constantly declare that they are going to limit their intake of drugs / alcohol but find that they are unable to do so. They just cannot seem to control their use. 3. Their friends have addiction issues: The first place to look to know how your ward or child is doing is to observe their friends. In a high-profile addict, you will find that their friends drinking and drugging is on the high side, which is an indication that there is a problem. They will not want to socialise unless drugs or alcohol is being provided. 4. Losing interest in hobbies: This is a sure sign that there is something not quite right with the individual. If you notice that all of a sudden, he or she puts down their guitar or stops playing soccer, it means that his interest is being diverted elsewhere and needs to be looked into. 5. Preoccupation with their habit: The person will only think about his or her drinking or drugging and schedule their activities around this. Their meetings, socializing, choice of friends, vacations, outings and even business meetings will be structured around their habit. On the other hand, the high-profile addict may have the following thought processes: a. I have a great job / career or business and a wonderful family. People with successful careers and loving families do not have addiction problems. b. There is no way that I can use or drink enough to be addicted. c. I cannot have a problem as I do not drink every day. d. I have a lot of stress and have to work very hard. Drinking helps me relax. e. Everyone else uses / drinks as much as I do – a lot of them use and drink much more than I do. f. I do not create any trouble because of my drinking. No fights, not shouting, etc. g. I drink in limits. I am always in control. I just that I enjoy drinking. If you identify these traits in a loved one or friend what should you do to begin a process of healing. Confronting them will may make matters worse. Wait for an appropriate time when they appear remorseful over something that has happened and gently ask them what is worrying them. Never speak to them when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You can talk to them individually or get a small group of family members or very close friends to talk with them and express their feelings to them. This should be done calmly but firmly. Although, it is up to the individual to admit they have a problem and need help, external influence from close quarters may help steer them in the right direction. Knowing that they have people who care about them could help motivate them to seek treatment. Regardless of the severity of the habit, addiction is a problematic force in the lives of those addicted, their friends and families. Addiction is a life-threatening habit which not only destroys the lives of the person indulging in the habit, but also the lives of innocent people around them. The person needs to realize that the habit is taking a toll on their lives and families and that someday in the near future it may totally destroy them. Seek help today if you or anyone you know has a problem. Call us on: 9689690699 or 8552817271 or email us on: info@iamfinegroup.com or jimi.a@iamfinegroup.com