Drug addiction

Alternative Names

Drug abuse, Drug dependence

What is Drug addiction

Drug addiction is a disease, caused by using an illegal drug or a medication and leading to long-term and serious consequences, including physical mental health problems, relationships, employment and the law. It influences the brain and behavior. Drugs begin to control lives of addicted individuals.

Drugs include:

• marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens such as LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), mescaline, psilocybin, PCP (phencyclidine) and ketamine
• inhalants such as glues, aerosol sprays, gasoline, paints and paint thinner
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• club drugs such as ecstasy (MDMA)
• methamphetamine which is called meth, crank or speed
• opiates such as heroin, morphine and codeine
• prescription drugs such as diazepam (Valium), methylphenidate (Ritalin), hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin) and oxycodone (OxyContin); nonprescription medicines such as cough syrups or cold pills may also be abused

Signs and symptoms

Drug addiction signs and symptoms may include:

• changes in sleeping or eating habits, less attention to dressing and grooming or less interest in sex
• up and down moods, a mood or attitude that is getting worse or not caring about the future
• anger toward others or treating others badly
• sneaky behavior, lying or stealing
• poor family relationships or relationships that are getting worse
• new problems at work or school or problems with the law
• dropping old friends and activities, finding new friends and not wanting old friends to meet them

Possible complications

Drug addiction can cause a lot of complications such as:

• health problems
• unconsciousness, coma and sudden death
• getting a communicable disease
• accidents
• suicide
• family problems
• work issues
• problems at school
• legal issues
• financial problems

What causes

There is no an established cause of drug addiction but triggers may include:

• a person's genes
• the action of the drug
• peer pressure
• emotional distress
• anxiety
• depression
• environmental stress

Parents who use illegal drugs in front of their children put them at higher risk, because children may repeat their parents’ actions.

People who are at risk of becoming drug dependent:

• have depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia
• have easy access to drugs
• have low self-esteem or problems with relationships
• live a stressful lifestyle, economic or emotional
• live in a culture where there is a high social acceptance of drug use

Prevention

If you do not take drugs at all you will protect yourself from drug addiction. If your doctor prescribes narcotics to relieve pain, benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety or insomnia or barbiturates to relieve nervousness or irritation take them in established, normal doses.

You can prevent drug abuse in children by taking the following steps:

• talk to your children about the consequences of drug use and abuse
• pay attention to your children’s talks about peer pressure
• set a good example and do not use drugs, drink alcohol and smoke
• work on developing relationship with your children

If you were drug dependent sometimes ago, it is recommended to:

• avoid the places and people with whom you may begin to use drugs
• ask for help immediately if you use the drug again
• follow your treatment plan

Treatment

If you are using drugs you should immediately ask for help and go to clinic. Drug addiction treatments consist of treatment programs, counseling and self-help groups to help not to start using them again. Your doctor will determine the treatment plan depending on your health condition and the level of dependence.