A former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mental Health Authority, Dr. Akwasi Osei, has emphasised the need for addicts to seek medical treatment.
According to him, addiction is a mental health issue and must not be downplayed.
Dr. Osei said this on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem after some callers shared their addiction stories and how difficult it has been for them to overcome.
“Addiction is a mental health issue and becomes difficult for people to stop, no matter how badly it is affecting various aspects of their lives, including marriage and finances. It is a chronic brain disease,” he said.
From energy drinks, pornography, and screen addiction to sex addiction, the distraught callers disclosed they have been battling these issues since a young age, and it is now taking a toll on their lives, with all attempts to stop proving futile.
Reacting to this, Dr. Osei noted that overcoming addiction does not come easily, adding that it takes time.
“The person must be willing to seek help because there are psychiatrists and clinical psychologists available and must know it is a process.
“Dealing with addiction is not like treating malaria, which can be cured within three days or a week,” he said.
Acknowledging that some people can overcome addiction on their own while others can’t, he highlighted the need for people to keep themselves busy with physical activities, among other things, to take their minds off it when tempted.
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