Drug Addiction
By
Dr.Fourkan Ali
Are you worried that you or someone close to
you is addicted to drugs? Help is at hand. Here we tell you a little about drug
addiction, what to look out for and how we can get you or a loved one the best
possible treatment.
What is drug
addiction?
Drug use becomes drug addiction or drug abuse
when the individual develops a physical or psychological dependency on the
substance. The compulsion to take drugs becomes overwhelming and uncontrollable
despite the negative impact it has on the drug addict’s life and health. Drug
addiction often begins with experimentation and occasional use. Initially, the
drug produces feelings such as that of pleasure, relaxation or euphoria. As
time goes on and tolerance builds, the user needs larger and more frequent
quantities of the drug to produce the same feelings. Furthermore, prolonged
drug abuse alters the way the brain functions and results in cravings a
compulsion to use drugs.
Commonly abused drugs included illegal drugs
such as heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana (cannabis).
Prescription drug use can also lead to addiction. Indeed prescription drug
addiction is on the increase due to easy access via the Internet. The most
commonly abused prescription drugs are painkillers, sleeping tablets,
anti-anxiety pills, anti-depressants and medication for ADHD. These include
analgesics with codeine, benzodiazepine such as valium and temazepam, and
stimulants such as Ritalin.
Signs, symptoms and
risks of drug addiction
Physical signs of drug addiction vary
according to the substance but can include dilated pupils, weight loss,
shakiness, slurred speech and poor co-ordination. However, there are some
general warning signs of drug addiction which you should look out for if you’re
concerned about a loved one:
·
Are
precious items going missing?
·
Is
your loved one having mood swings or being secretive?
·
Are
they disappearing for long periods of time?
·
Have they lost interest in hobbies, friends and socialising?
·
Have
they lost interest in their appearance or hygiene?
If you’re worried that
you’re becoming addicted to drugs, ask yourself the following questions:
·
Have you built up a drug tolerance – do you need more of the substance to
achieve the same effects?
·
If
you try to stop taking drugs, do you experience withdrawal symptoms such as
depression, anxiety, nausea, shaking and insomnia?
·
Do
you take drugs more frequently than you’ve planned?
·
Has
drug use taken over your life?
Drug addiction has severe consequences and
risks. Effects of drug addiction on the body vary depending on the drug abused
but drug addiction can result in increased blood pressure, cardiac arrest,
seizures and strokes. If drugs are injected, the addict runs the risk of
contracting blood-related diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. Drug addiction
may also have psychological effects, including anxiety, paranoia and
hallucinations.
Is Substance Abuse the
same as Addiction?
Substance abuse is the harmful use of a
substance, typically for the purpose of altering one’s mood or physical
feeling. In individuals suffering from substance abuse, substances are taken
for purposes other than those for which they are intended and/or in greater
quantities than those recommended.Substances that can be abused include legal
and illegal drugs, drugs purchased over-the-counter, or prescription drugs.
Substances abused that are not drugs include solvents and inhalants. Alcohol,
coffee, and cigarettes can also be abused. Some substances abused by individuals
do not alter mood in any way.An example of a drug of this kind would be
anabolic steroids.In theory, any substance can be abused.
For the majority of substances, the line
between normal use of a substance and substance abuse is unclear. Furthermore,
the speed at which an individual becomes addicted to a drug is dependent upon
many factors and an individual’s sensitivity to a drug. All drugs, if abused,
can be potentially harmful.All drugs are associated with short-term and
long-term negative health effects. Cocaine, for example, increases an
individual’s heart rate and blood pressure.Opioids, such as heroin, may
decrease an individual’s heart rate and reduce the rate of respiration. The
signs of substance abuse vary between individuals.
Substance abuse can be treated using
behavioural-based therapies and/or medications. Treatment methods may vary
between individuals, and multiple treatment courses may be required to achieve
success.
Treatment for drug
addiction
The good news is that drug addiction can be successfully
treated. The first step towards treating drug addiction is usually
detoxification – a process that removes the drug’s toxins from the body.
Withdrawing from any drug can be intensely painful and, for some drugs, sudden
withdrawal can be life-threatening. Detox should therefore always be carried
out in a medically supervised environment where the addict is regularly
monitored and medication can be prescribed to alleviate symptoms and the drug
addict. Detox for drug addiction is most effective in a residential treatment
as individuals are given care around the clock and drugs are less accessible.
However, for some drug addictions, home detox is a real alternative to
residential detox.
Detox alone is not enough for sustained
abstinence from drug use. A period of rehabilitative care is essential to help
the individual understand the nature of their drug addiction and to equip them
for a life free from substance abuse. Rehabilitation for drug addiction
involves a combination of treatments, including individual counselling, group
work, cognitive behavioural therapy, education, and relapse prevention. Like
detox, rehab for drug addiction is most successful in a residential facility
with an intensive, structured programme of treatment.
Sources: Website
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