Corrie: Debbie Webster challenges Ray Crosby over 'blackmail'
First appearing in Coronation Street as a cafe worker in 1984, Sue Devaney returned as Kevin Webster’s sister… and has been dealing with dodgy business ever since. What was her personal attraction to the dark side?
“I had the disease of more, more, more… more drink, more sugar, just an insatiable appetite for the bad things in life,” she said.
“Nothing in moderation, everything in excess. I attracted the wrong type of folk.”
Sue added: “I am lucky. I got help. Am I less of a person for having the disease of addiction? I am not.”
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Sue elaborated: “I have experienced mental health issues – low self esteem, low self worth, like many of us.
“I know what it’s like to be an addict… People turn to substance abuse because, initially, it takes the pain away, even if it’s just for an hour or so.
“Then, it stops working and the very thing you used to take the pain away is causing you catastrophic pain. “
What’s addiction?
Medical News Today stated addiction is a disease – a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance, even though it causes harm.
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Addictions can include the inability to stop partaking in activities, such as gambling, eating, or working – these are considered behavioural addictions.
“Addiction is the long-term inability to moderate or cease intake [of a substance, such as alcohol, for example],” it says.
The primary indications of addiction include an uncontrollable urge to seek drugs, for example.
Another sign is “uncontrollably engaging in harmful levels of habit-forming behaviour”.
A person with an addiction may neglect or “lose interest in activities that don’t involve the harmful substance or behaviour”.
There may be relationship difficulties, as the addicted individual often lashes out at people who identify the dependency.
An addiction is so strong that health problems or personal problems do not deter the addict from using.
Secrecy could arise, as the person with the addiction may hide substances or behaviours related to their addiction.
When a person stops engaging in the addictive behaviour, or refrains from consuming the substance they’re addicted to, withdrawal may emerge.
Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Tremors and shaking
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- A loss of appetite
Medical News Today warned: “If a person has regularly used alcohol or benzodiazepines, and they stop suddenly or without medical supervision, withdrawal can be fatal.”
Treatments for addiction include medications, therapy and ongoing care to reduce the risk of relapse.
If you’d like support with drug and alcohol addiction, please visit Turning Point.
Hoping to support the homeless who may be suffering from addictions themselves, Sue has teamed up with Big Issue North to support their new publication, The New Issue.
You can watch Sue on Coronation Street, which is on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV from 7.30pm.
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