The Tragic Cost of Cravings for Dopamine: A Personal Reflection
Have you ever seen someone ruin their life in just a few seconds? How did they do it?
A Saga of Tragedy and Pain
The story of my friend, Mike, is a stark reminder of the price paid for the craving for a temporary high. Mike, a very fit and active individual I knew, decided to dive off a small cliff into water he had never swum in before. The impact broke his neck, leaving him as a paraplegic. This act of impulsiveness altered not only his life but also shocked the entire neighbourhood, where he was known to be full of youth and the reason my childhood was filled with joy.
Another Devastating Loss
The heartache was further compounded by the loss of my closest friend, Sarah, a year after her older sister passed away in an accident in the late 2000s. The police investigated and found that Sarah had hit the back of her head due to brain trauma, leading to her untimely death. This tragedy hit the entire neighbourhood, and the mother, who lost two of her children, was left in immense grief.
Node to rest peace, Sarah and Mike were the cornerstones of my childhood, and their untimely deaths still resonate within me even as I approach my 30s. I have since spread awareness about the perils of temporary pain that can lead to life-altering consequences. This event marked not just a change in me, but an entire neighbourhood and a mother who lost two of her children.
The Demons of Dopamine
It's all about the never-ending chase for dopamine, the brain's reward neurotransmitter. Do you know what it feels like to have everything, from money to love, and still crave that next hit of dopamine? Many accidents, like those described above, stem from this desire. Car accidents, trying new drugs, gambling, illegal sexual activities, and unprotected or violent encounters are just a few examples.
A Persoanl Struggle Against Dopamine
My journey with dopamine was a long and arduous one. Diagnosed with major depressive disorder, seasonal depression, and bipolar, and later with ADHD, I had a long trip with every drug in the market. However, the real monster that destroyed my life was hard drugs—heroin and meth.
From the first dose, I believed I had tasted heaven. The feeling of being almost normal with a touch of euphoria but without the psychedelic effects was intoxicating. But as the saying goes, nothing is free in this world. The cost of these drugs was every penny I saved, my next paycheck, and ultimately, my job. My family had my back during this ordeal, but the rehab center was a living hell that didn't make me want to change—if anything, it made my addiction clearer to me.
It wasn't until I found my beautiful girlfriend that I finally quit deeply. We engaged last month, and since then, I have finally been clean. My life became better, and my income reduced to a fraction of what it used to be, but I have my girlfriend now, and she is my new drug. Restored by her, thank God.
Though quitting drugs is hard, life is much easier now. I have a job, but my income is a shadow of what it used to be. Yet, my girlfriend has restored my life in ways I never thought possible. I am truly grateful for her and her unwavering support.