Drug addiction isn’t about just heroin, cocaine, or other illegal drugs. You can get addicted to alcohol, nicotine, sleep and anti-anxiety medications, and other legal substances.
Here are some signs you may have of addiction. Injecting more of the drug into your body than you want and keeping it there for longer than expected. You must have an adequate supply of the medication. You should not use drugs if you are having trouble at work or if they cause harm to your family members and friends. Spending more alone. Neglecting your personal hygiene and worrying about your appearance. Spend most of your time using the drug, getting better, or trying to get rid of it. It is possible to feel queasy after quitting smoking.
For example, if opioids are used to relieve pain frequently, you might develop a tolerance and become physically dependent. However, this does not necessarily mean you are addicted. Even when opioids have been prescribed correctly and administered by an experienced physician, addiction is very rare.
The difference between addiction and physical dependency is that tolerance or dependence can be different from addiction. You will experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using drugs abruptly. Tolerance happens when a drug's effectiveness diminishes over time.
Addiction affects many people. Every person is different. For a variety reasons, medications can have a different effect on each individual. Some people may become addicted to the medication after only one dose. Some people don't like it and won’t give it another chance.
Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.
Is it possible to treat or prevent drug addiction?
Addiction can be described as persistent, obsessive substance seeking and addiction. While many people use drugs freely at first, addiction can result in brain changes. This can affect an addict's ability and self-control as well as their ability to resist cravings. These brain alterations can have a long-lasting effect, which is why drug dependence is called a "relapsing", or a chronic disease. People who are in recovery from addiction to drugs are more likely not to relapse, even after years of abstinence.
Another encouraging development is the possibility of avoiding addiction and drug abuse. Research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA, revealed the importance of prevention programs that include families, schools, communities and the media to reduce or prevent drug abuse and addiction. Research has shown that young people tend to reduce their drug use when they perceive drug abuse to be harmful. This is despite the fact that both personal experiences and social factors can influence drug use patterns. Education and outreach are essential steps in helping people to understand the risks associated with drug use. Education is a responsibility of all parties, including parents, schools, and doctors.
Drug addiction is a disease that can be cured and can also be treated well.
Development. Addiction risk can be affected by genetic and environmental factors. While drug addiction can occur at any age, it is more common for those who start using drugs earlier than others. Teens are particularly vulnerable to this. Teens may be more prone to dangerous behaviors such as drug use, because their brains are still developing.
What is Drug Dependence? Addiction is a brain and behavior-altering disorder. People who are addicted to drugs can't resist the urge and will use them regardless of their potential danger. You will be more likely to avoid the severe consequences of addiction if you start treatment sooner.
It is normal for people to have relapses. However, recurrence does not mean that therapy has failed. As with any chronic illness, therapy must be continued and modified according to how the patient reacts. To meet changing patient needs, treatment plans must be updated and evaluated regularly.
Most drugs cause the brain to "reward-circuit" which floods it with dopamine and makes one feel good. People are more likely to choose things that are good for their health, such as eating healthy and spending time with loved ones. The reward circuit causes people to keep doing the things they enjoy but are bad for them. This in turn leads people to take part again.