The Basics of Drug Addiction

Survey results taken in 2007 by the Department of Health and Human Services show as many as 19.9 million Americans, 12 years old or older, suffered from some form of drug addiction. Because of the physical and psychological effects of the condition, those afflicted remain at risk of relapse, even after long periods of abstinence.

Identification

• Factors which contribute to the occurrence of drug addiction can be genetic, environmental or learned. Drug abuse behaviors are driven by physical and psychological triggers that become progressively worse over time. Regardless of the cause, once a person gets in the habit of ingesting mood-altering substances, the combined effects of the body's cravings and improved mood state gradually become a prime motivator within a person's daily routine. The intensity of an addiction will depend on individual body chemistry, and the type of drug used.

Features

• Prescription drugs, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, as well as illegal substances are all capable of causing addiction. And while certain substances may be stronger than others, the same mechanism of addiction applies for all. Substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs and illegal drugs pose the most risk of disrupting a person's everyday lifestyle. Cocaine, heroine, morphine and ecstasy are just a few of the illegal drugs capable of causing harm. The stronger the drug used, the more difficult it is to break the addiction.

Function

• The mechanism of addiction is made up of three stages. Stage one is called "preoccupation/anticipation", in which a person begins to crave the drug's effects both physically and mentally. Stage two is called "binge/intoxication", in which the drug is actually ingested and its effects felt. Stage three is the "withdrawal/ negative effect period", where the effects of the drug start to wear off. These three stages can occur several times a day depending on how addicted a person is to a substance. Prolonged use works to break down the body's ability to function normally.

Treatment

• Treatment approaches for drug addiction vary depending on how severe a person's condition is. Chronic users oftentimes experience job loss and broken relationships as the drug takes on a higher priority within daily life. In cases where individuals are unable to function without the drug's effects in their system, hospitalization may be necessary. Antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications may also be administered to help with mood stabilization. Psychotherapy interventions coupled with support group attendance are also advised to help users resume a normal lifestyle without the use of drugs.

Stress & Drug Addiction

• As the effects of drug addiction appeal to both the body and the mind, the risk of relapse is always present. The National Institute on Drug Abuse attributes stress as the leading cause for relapse in individuals trying to recover from drug abuse. The biochemical effects of stress on chemicals in the brain can aggravate cravings and make it more difficult for users to abstain. The effects of prolonged drug use have the potential of permanently altering the brain's biochemistry. In the most extreme of cases, mental conditions such as dementia can result.