More than just a habit
In our world today, drug use among teenagers and young adults is becoming a serious issue.
When we check our surroundings , we find young adults too addicted to drugs of any kind, not minding what befalls afterward, but then again, no one on earth would wish himself death through that aspect, many of them have an untold stories for making them go that extend, which some of us do not always mind but judge through their attitude
It’s easy for outsiders to say, They chose this life, or They should just stop.
Yes drugs is dangerous, but the truth is deeper than that. Understanding the reasons behind substance abuse isn't the same as accepting it, it means addressing it with compassion and wisdom.
Many of these young people don’t even like the way they live, but some can't help it our despite knowing the danger involved, They feel stuck. Some are crying for help silently, but no one sees it.
I remember when I stayed with one of my aunt, her son was battling with sickle cell anemia, a condition that already makes life physically difficult. You’d expect someone like that to take extra care of his body. But he was the total opposite. He drank heavily, used drugs, and acted like he didn’t care if he lived or died. i always use to feel like he doesn't pity himself even with that condition. It was as if his life didn’t matter to him at all.
One day, we had a deep conversation. A group of religious people had visited us, preaching repentance. They spoke with boldness, urging us to change our ways. But their appearance was very unusual, one of the ladies wore an old-fashioned skirt, a turtle-neck shirt, and no earrings. Honestly, she didn’t look put together.
After they left, the guy said something that stuck with me "People like this are the reason others don’t want to serve God". Why should serving God mean looking this way? They make it seem like holiness equals suffering and being unattractive.
That comment opened the door to a deeper talk. I encouraged him to think differently, to consider a healthier life. That’s when he opened up. It wasn’t peer pressure that led him to drugs, it was a lack of love. His parents were emotionally absent, and he was left to raise himself. By the time he met friends who introduced him to substances, he was already broken inside. He told me, “I don’t like the way I live. I don’t like this drinking and smoking. I wish I can stop But I can’t stop. It’s like I’m trapped.
That moment changed my perspective. Yes, he’s rough around the edges. Yes, he acts out. But deep down, he’s a kind person who never got the love or guidance he needed. Many young people are like him tough on the outside, hurting on the inside. They wear confidence like a mask, but beneath it are wounds, neglect, and silent pain.
Substance abuse isn’t always about having fun or making bad choices. Sometimes it’s about trying to fill a void one that love, security, and belonging were supposed to fill. But while we seek to understand, we must also be honest, addiction destroys lives. It breaks bodies, minds, families, and futures. And no one truly wants that life.
So let’s stop just judging from the outside. Let’s reach out. Let’s guide them. Show them that real love doesn’t abandon or shame it lifts, it heals, and it helps people believe that a better life is possible.
Because at the end of the day, no one really wants to be addicted. They just want to feel okay and they deserve a chance to find that peace in a better way.