Addiction Begins Younger Than You May Think | A. Omar Abubaker | TEDxYouth@RVA

Dr. Omar Abubaker is committed to spreading awareness on how early exposure to substances ultimately leads to the development of life-long addiction. In his talk, he explains why “addiction is a childhood disease” in both a scientific and psychological sense. Dr. A. Omar Abubaker, DMD, Ph.D. currently serves as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry; Chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine; and Chairman of the Department of Dentistry at VCUHealth. Following the loss of his son Adam to opioids in 2014, Dr. Abubaker earned a Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies. His personal mission is to provide better education in the areas of addiction, the opioid epidemic, and pain management. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@gregorybacks8927]

I'm sorry for your loss. Your talk was/is excellent. I became addicted to tobacco and soon after alcohol and suffered with horrible depression by the age of 13/14 years old. I found out much later that I was bipolar type 2. I indulged in most every drug out there, street and prescription. I'm 58 now. I still struggle every day. I've had long periods of sobriety but inevitably go back to using if only for shorter periods now. I drank very heavily and spent time in rehab, jail, hospitals for depression and self harm. In my case and opinion there are 2 reasons for my addictions. Trauma as a child and a chemical imbalance in my brain. That's the short version of my story. Prescriptions can help but it is a daily struggle. Addiction and mental illness does not care about age, intelligence or what you do for a living. Too all of you still struggling, You are LOVED. Someone out there does care and you don't have to fight alone. Seek out help. Do the best you can on any given day. That's all any of us can do and be good to yourself. It's not your fault so stop blaming yourself or others. Tomorrow is another day and it can be better than today. Peace. Greg.

[@khanbroshk]

First