Drug Misuse and Addiction
Drug misuse is the use of drugs for purposes that are not consistent with medical guidelines. Legal substances such as alcohol and prescription medications can also be misused. Drug misuse often starts by taking a higher dose of your regular pain pills or using someone else prescription medication. Most people use drugs to relieve stress, feel good, or avoid personal problems.
Drug addiction is a chronic mental disorder that is characterized by physical or psychological dependence on drugs. Someone who is addicted continues to use despite the drug’s adverse effects. Efforts to quit often results in withdrawal symptoms, such as stress, hallucinations, and depression.
Addiction is considered a disease because it affects the normal functioning of the brain and can be life-threatening if left untreated. With drug abuse, you take the drug to feel good or relieve stress, but you are able to control the intake and regain your normal functionality. But with addiction, you can’t stop or control the urge to use even when it causes you health, emotional and financial problems.
Usually, addiction starts with misuse, which develops to dependence over time. Most people start low with experimental use in social gatherings, which later becomes more frequent. With opioids, addiction begins with exposure to prescription medications. With time, your body becomes used to the drug and may need higher doses to achieve the same effect. And as the consumption increases, your body adjusts to the new normal and becomes increasingly difficult to perform normally without the drug. Any attempt to quit is followed by intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
However, not everyone who uses becomes addicted. People are different, and body and brain reaction and tolerance to a drug is also different. For some people, addiction may happen within months, for some, it might take longer, while others may not get addicted at all. The risk of addiction depends on factors such as the type of drug. Opioids, for example, have a higher risk of addiction than other painkillers. Genetics, environmental, and developmental factors also influence addiction.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The first step is to identify and accept that you have an addiction problem. If you experience the following signs, the chances are that you are dealing with addiction.
• If you neglect your responsibilities and activities that you used to enjoy before
• Participate in activities that endanger your life
• spend too much time and money on the drug
• Failed attempts to stop using the drug
• Increased relationship problems with friends and family
The next step is to seek help. Getting through addiction on your own can be difficult. Talk to friends, family, or your doctor for advice. For people who use to escape stress and other personal problems, finding alternative coping strategies to manage stress can help prevent relapses. There are also several treatment options, such as counseling, medication, rehabilitation, and self-help programs that are very effective in treating addiction.
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