Facts on Drug & Alcohol Abuse

An addiction to drugs or alcohol can affect every aspect of your life. It can cause financial problems, relationship problems and health problems. Drugs and alcohol cause you to act in ways that you would never even consider under normal circumstances. Addiction not only puts you in danger, but may also put those you love in danger as well.

Drugs

• There are many drugs that can cause addiction. These include marijuana, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamines and some prescription drugs. Each drug causes a different reaction, but they all impair your ability to think rationally and clearly. Drug addiction causes you to continually use more and more to get the feeling you are trying to achieve. Addiction to drugs can cause many different health problems, including stroke, cardiovascular disease, lung problems, cancer and mental disorders.

Alcohol

• There are several kinds of alcohol. The alcohol that people drink is ethanol, which is a sedative. Consumed alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and affects the nervous system. It blocks messages from reaching the brain, causing impairment to your vision, perception, emotions and movement. Alcohol abuse is a prolonged drinking habit that causes problems in other areas of your life. Long-term alcohol use can cause significant health problems, including liver problems, heart problems, memory loss, skin problems and damage to your nervous system.

Signs

• There are visible signs that someone is abusing drugs or alcohol. Some signs of abuse are regular use of drugs and alcohol, lying about how often they use, avoiding friends and family, using drugs and alcohol alone, giving up sports or activities that they have always done, and constantly talking about drugs or alcohol. They may also have a drastic change in personality. Being abnormally moody, agitated, irritated or combative may also signal an addiction.

Treatment Options

• There are rehabilitation centers for those addicted to drugs or alcohol. Some programs require extended stay inside the treatment facility, while others offer outpatient treatment. Determining the best treatment will depend on what you are addicted to, how long you have been using the drug or alcohol, and if there are any medical problems that would complicate the treatment. After you are off the drugs or alcohol, you may still need some form of treatment for the rest of your life.

Warning

• The abuse of drugs or alcohol can be dangerous. Consuming too much alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning and can result in death. Taking too much drugs can cause an overdose, which can result in death. Driving or operating other machinery can lead to accidents that can result in your death or the death of other people.