When addictions affect health and happiness
Practically everyone I know has an addiction of one kind or another but most of us are lucky enough to find ourselves wanting to do things that aren’t actually that bad for us. For example, my flatmate can’t do anything until she has her morning coffee while I just don’t feel right until I’ve had a read of all the latest celebrity gossip. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone.
Serious addictions can have huge impact on your life in ways you would never have even thought possible. Just look at Hang Mioku, a Korean lady who’s been splashed all over the news recently because she suffered from a psychological disorder that made her obsessed with cosmetic surgery.
Hang was living in Japan when her addiction first began to emerge. She kept going back to plastic surgeons and asking them carry out procedures on her face, even though they were totally unnecessary. While, quite rightly, some surgeons refused to treat her and even pointed out that she might be developing psychological problems, some didn’t seem to be as ethical. And when she returned to Korea she still managed to find a willing surgeon, even though her face was horribly swollen and disfigured by this point.
Even more horrifyingly, he gave her a syringe so that she could inject silicone herself and when she ran out she began using cooking oil instead!
Luckily Hang’s plight has touched the hearts of the Korean public after her story was told on TV, and money has been raised to aid her get some of the help she needs. But my mind just boggles at the thought that any cosmetic surgeon could treat someone who so obviously had a problem. Thank goodness reputable, and ethical, doctors are so easy to come by in the UK!
Tags: addiction, cosmetic surgery, Hang Mioku