About Drug Addictions

In the United States, mortality rates for drug addiction have risen by 540 percent since 1980. It's estimated that six million children have at least one drug addicted parent in the home. The use of drugs as a coping mechanism has become a part of our everyday lifestyles, though caffeine and nicotine use pale in comparison to the effects of the hard core substances that are now so readily available.

Identification

• Drug addiction is a condition in which a person becomes dependent on the effects of an illegal or prescription drug. The physical and psychological dependence creates a situation where the drug becomes the primary motivation in a person's life. Stimulants, opiates, sedatives, and hallucinogens make up the different categories of addictive substances. The likelihood that someone will become addicted to a drug depends on his body chemistry and the addictive potency of a drug. Because of its physical effects on the body, drug addiction is classified as a disease as well as a behavioral disorder. The causes of addiction can be genetic, environmental, or learned.

Function

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders identifies three stages of dependency within the addiction cycle. Stage one is Preoccupation/Anticipation. This is a thinking pattern where a person entertains thoughts and feelings surrounding the drug experience, and anticipates the next "fix".
  Stage two is Binge/Intoxication. This is the actual drug use experience.
  Stage three is Withdrawal/Negative Effect. This begins to take place as the effects of the drug wear off.
  These stages can occur many times within the course of a day and become more intense the longer a person remains addicted. This is a progressive process that eventually becomes the central focus in a person's life.

Features

• Physical and behavioral signs of drug addiction are fairly easy to spot. Signs may vary depending on the type of drug being used. Mood swings, restlessness, high energy levels, and weight loss are common for those who are addicted to stimulants. Confusion, slow movements and slowed speech patterns are common with opiate and sedative use. Apparel changes where long sleeves are worn---even when weather conditions are warm---may be a sign of intravenous use. Nosebleeds, increased coughing and mucous, or sudden changes in weight are also possible signs of drug addiction.

Prevention/Solution

• Treatment options for drug addiction vary according to the needs of the individual and the type of drug being ingested. Behavioral therapy is used to address the psychological aspects, while medication therapies are used to help alleviate withdrawal effects and to help a person cope with life without drugs. Inpatient hospitalization may be necessary in cases where a person becomes a danger to themselves, or others; or in cases of severe withdrawal. Support groups, like Narcotics Anonymous, are also a part of the treatment process. These are community-based meetings that take place in facilities, churches, and homes. They provide a setting where people can discuss their experiences within a safe, confidential environment.

Warning

• Drug addiction is as much a physical condition as it is a psychological state of mind. The more a person uses, the more the chemical processes in the brain become dependent on the drug's effects. The brain quickly develops a tolerance to the drug's effects, which is why users require increased amounts in order to get the same effect. After prolonged use, the brain is unable to function normally without the presence of the drug in the system. This accounts for the withdrawal symptoms experienced when someone goes "cold turkey." By this point, the brain is unable to coordinate bodily processes. Sweating, tremors, nausea and irritability are typical symptoms experienced as the body tries to stabilize itself. A person's overall body chemistry can be permanently altered as a result of prolonged use. As a result, the risk of relapse is always a concern, even after years of abstinence.