The drug addiction o Drug abuse is addiction based on frequent drug abuse and consumption. Drug addicts need increasing amounts of a substance to experience its effects.
This is known as tolerance, that is, the body has become accustomed to the effects of the drug / substance and needs larger amounts to produce its effects. On the other hand, the drug dependent person will experience withdrawal; negative responses and discomfort when not using the substance.
Withdrawal syndrome can be easily observed in everyday life. For example, headaches from not smoking for several hours. There are also much more serious withdrawal: in delirium tremes (alcohol withdrawal), in which hallucinations and strange bodily sensations can be experienced. In cocaine withdrawal, anxiety, boredom and lack of motivation are experienced.
However, not all substances cause withdrawal. For example, quitting marijuana or LSD does not lead to physical withdrawal.
Something important to note is that there can be dependency without abuse. For example, cancer patients can become dependent on morphine and not abuse it.
On the other hand, there may also be drug use without creating dependence. For example, there are people who drink alcohol socially or who occasionally use cocaine..
Article index
1 How does drug dependence develop?
2 Why do some people get addicted and others don't?
3 Symptoms of drug abuse
3.1 Symptoms of psychological dependence
3.2 Physical symptoms
3.3 Behavioral symptoms
3.4 Common drug signs
4 The most addictive drugs
5 Types of drugs / substances
6 Effects at the brain level
7 Diagnostic criteria for drug dependence
8 Treatment
8.1 Biological treatments
8.2 Psychosocial treatments
9 How to help drug addicts?
10 myths about drug abuse
11 Prevention of relapse
12 Forecast
13 References
How does drug dependence develop?
If you experiment with a drug and continue to use it, it is because the substance makes you feel better or reduces pain..
There is a fine line between people who are addicted and those who use normally. Also, some addicts have a hard time recognizing that they have crossed that line..
1-Drug use tends to increase gradually: You can start by consuming a small joint of marijuana, then move on to doing it weekly and then daily.
two-If the drug meets a need, your use is more likely to increase. For example, if you have a lack of energy or feel depressed and a drug makes you feel more energetic, you are more likely to become addicted to it..
3-When drug use is necessary to solve the problem (depression, anxiety, loneliness, lack of energy ...) and its use cannot be controlled, dependence arrives.
4-The organism's tolerance towards the drug occurs. That is, it is necessary that you take larger amounts for the drug to cause its benefits in you (feel more animated, without anxiety, calm, energetic ...).
5-You take increasing amounts, which makes you more dependent and more difficult to get out of the vicious cycle. Tolerance and dependence mean that consumption can be daily and up to several times a day.
6-The increase in consumption and dependence impairs social functioning: work life, social life, family ...
7-Deterioration of performance can lead to further problems, which makes drug use more likely.
As you can see, drug use can become a vicious cycle. A simple step like tasting a small amount can lead to frequent consumption.
The good news is that it has a solution with the correct effort, support and treatment..
The first step is to admit that you have a problem and allow those close and interested to help you overcome the addiction..
Why do some people get addicted and others don't?
People take drugs for very different reasons:
Curiosity.
Have a good time or feel socially accepted.
Improve physical performance.
Relieve stress, anxiety or depression.
It doesn't matter how many drugs you are using. If its use is causing problems in your life, you probably have an addiction problem. The vulnerability to becoming addicted is different from one person to another. The risk factors that increase your vulnerability are:
Traumatic childhood experiences, abuse or neglect.
Family history of addictions.
Disorder such as anxiety or depression.
Early drug use.
Symptoms of drug abuse
If you are a person dependent on drugs, the dependence will show three main effects: psychological dependence (psychological symptoms), substance / drug seeking behaviors (behavioral symptoms) and physical symptoms.
Symptoms of psychological dependence
Anxiety.
Depression.
Changes in personality or attitude.
Periods of hyperactivity or unusual agitation.
Lack of motivation.
Inability to concentrate.
Social isolation.
Fearful, anxious, paranoid appearance.
You may want to stop using even though you can't.
Physical symptoms
Muscular weakness.
Nightmares.
Body pain.
Perspiration.
Sickness.
Vomiting.
Frequent nosebleeds.
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or gain.
Eyes "bloodshot" .
Seizures without a history of epilepsy.
Impaired physical appearance.
Injuries or accidents without being able to explain.
Body, clothing, or breath odors.
Tremors, slurred speech, unstable coordination.
Behavioral symptoms
Desperate need to ingest more of the substance.
Financial problems, stealing money to use drugs.
Decreased attendance at work, school or university.
Lack of performance of leisure activities, sports, exercise.
Complaints from coworkers, supervisors, or teachers.
Social withdrawal, engaging in suspicious or strange behavior.
Sudden change in personal relationships, friends, or hobbies.
Participate frequently in problems: arguments, accidents, illegal activities ...
Common drug signs
Marijuana: red eyes, talking loudly, inappropriate laughter, drowsiness, loss of interest, demotivation, weight gain or loss.
Stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine): dilated pupils, hyperactivity, euphoria, irritability, anxiety, talking too often due to depression, long periods of time without sleeping or eating, weight loss, dry mouth and nose.
Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP): dilated pupils, irrational thinking, paranoia, aggression, hallucinations, mood swings, detachment from people, absorption with objects or with oneself, confusion, difficulties speaking.
Heroin: no response of the pupils to light, constricted pupils, needle marks, sleeping at inappropriate times, vomiting, coughing, loss of appetite, spasms, mucus.
The most addictive drugs
The vulnerability of a person to develop dependence depends on individual traits; physiology, psychology, and social and economic pressures.
The following classification (Franklin, 1990) is based on the inherent addictive potential of substances.
Nicotine.
Inhaled methamphetamine.
Crack.
Injected methamphetamine.
Valium (diazepam).
Melaqualone.
Seconal (Secobarbital).
Alcohol.
Heroin.
Crank (nasal ingested amphetamine).
Cocaine.
Caffeine.
Phencyclidine.
Marijuana.
Ecstasy (MDMA).
Psilocybin mushrooms.
LSD.
Mezcaline.
Types of drugs / substances
Tranquilizers: they are substances that produce a feeling of tranquility and behavioral sedation. They can be barbiturate anxiolytics, benzodiazepines, alcohol, hypnotics.
Stimulants: substances that increase physiological arousal and possibly increase mood. They can be cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine and caffeine.
Opiates: substances that produce euphoria and a temporary reduction of pain. They can be heroin, codeine, morphine, and opium.
Hallucinogens: substances that alter temporal perception and can cause delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. It can be LSD and marijuana.
Others: Prescription or non-prescription drugs, inhalants (glue), anabolic steroids.
Effects at the brain level
Although each drug produces a different physical effect, all the substances that are abused have something in common: their repeated use can alter the structure and function of the brain.
Taking recreational drugs can increase the level of dopamine in the brain, which triggers feelings of pleasure. Your brain becomes dependent on those sensations.
When you become addicted, the substance becomes of the same importance as other behaviors such as eating or drinking.
Changes in your brain interfere with your ability to think clearly, control your behavior, or feel emotionally balanced..
The use of the substance becomes uncontrollable and becomes more and more important, even than work, friends or family.
You can deny or rationalize your addiction.
Diagnostic criteria for drug dependence
A maladaptive pattern of substance use that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress, expressed by three (or more) of the following items at some point in a continuous 12-month period:
1) Tolerance, defined by any of the following items:
a) a need for markedly increasing amounts of the substance to achieve the intoxication or desired effect.
b) the effect of the same amounts of substance clearly decreases your continued use.
2) Abstinence, defined by any of the following items:
a) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance.
b) the same substance is taken to alleviate or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
3) The substance is frequently taken in larger amounts or for a longer period than was initially intended.
4) There is a persistent desire or influential efforts to control or discontinue use of a substance.
5) A lot of time is spent on activities related to obtaining the substance, consuming the substance or recovering from the effects of the substance.
6) Reduction of important social, work or recreational activities due to substance use.
7) Continues to take the substance despite awareness of recurring or persistent psychological or physical problems, which appear to be caused or exacerbated by substance use.
Specify if:
Physiologically dependent: signs of tolerance or withdrawal.
No physiological dependence: no signs of tolerance or withdrawal.
Treatment
Substance abuse is not easy to treat and it is recommended that a diagnosis, evaluation and follow-up be carried out by a professional.
Treatment begins with recognizing the problem. Although denial is a normal symptom of addiction, it is less likely if the addicted person is treated with respect and empathy..
The main goal of treatment is abstinence; the substance can be withdrawn abruptly or slowly. Support to cope with withdrawal is key to treatment.
With this main goal, there are different types of treatments.
Biological treatments
Agonist substitution: consists of providing the person with a safe substance with a composition similar to the addictive drug. For example, methadone is used as a replacement for heroin (although it also causes dependence, in tolerance it loses its analgesic and sedative qualities), nocithin is replaced by gum or patches.
Antagonistic treatments: antagonist substances block or counteract the effects of psychoactive substances. For example, naltrexone has been evaluated as a treatment for alcohol and opiate dependence..
Aversive treatments: it is about the prescription of drugs that make the ingestion of substances unpleasant. For example, those who drink alcohol after taking antabuse experience nausea, vomiting, and a high heart rate. In this way, alcohol is associated with unpleasant sensations..
Others: clonidine is used to treat hypertension caused by opiate withdrawal, benzodiazepines for withdrawal.
Psychosocial treatments
To overcome drug addiction, social support or therapeutic intervention is very important..
Internment: Currently most addiction treatment facilities are private and often very expensive. Research in alcoholic or drug addicted patients suggests that there may be no difference between these intensive and external programs.
Component treatment: Most addiction treatments contain several components. For example, aversive therapy (associating substance use with unpleasant sensations), covert sensitization (negatively associating consumption with unpleasant sensations, albeit in the imagination), contingency management (choosing behaviors that are needed to change and the reinforcers that will reward) , community reinforcement (correct aspects of the person's life).
Support groups: Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide social support and help to addicted people.
Recovery from drug addiction is easier when you have social support and encouragement from other people.
Support can be found at:
Family members.
Close friends.
Therapists.
Support groups or people who have already recovered.
Health centers.
How to help drug addicts?
If you think or know that a family member has a drug addiction, you can act as follows:
Talk to him / her: talk about your concerns and offer help / support without judgment. The sooner addiction is treated, the better.
Take care of yourself: do not deny your own needs and make sure you have support for yourself. Don't put yourself in dangerous situations.
Avoid guilt: it is impossible to force someone to receive treatment, you cannot control someone else's decisions. Guilt is not a good way to provoke decisions.
Avoid threatening, bribing or insulting.
Avoid taking over your responsibilities.
Avoid arguing if your partner / friend / family member is drugged.
Avoid taking drugs with the addict.
Avoid feeling guilty about someone else's behavior.
Myths about drug abuse
Addiction is a disease, nothing can be done
Although experts agree that addiction is a brain disease, that doesn't mean there are no solutions. Brain changes associated with addiction can be treated with therapy, medication and exercise.
Overcoming addiction is a matter of willpower
Long-term use of drugs produces brain changes that make it extremely difficult to avoid consumption simply by force of will.
Addicts have to touch funds before recovering
Recovery can begin at any point in the drug addiction process and the sooner the better.
Only those who want to recover
People who are pressured to be treated by their family, business or court system are just as likely to recover as those who are voluntarily treated.
If it hasn't been done before, the treatment won't work
Recovery from an addiction is a long process. Relapse does not mean that treatment has failed. Rather, it is a sign that treatment needs to be continued or readjusted..
Relapse prevention
To prevent future consumption it is recommended:
Avoid places frequented by addicts.
Avoid associating with addicts.
Eliminate or change positive beliefs about drugs. Confront positive opinions with negative consequences. For example: although it can produce well-being, in the long term it causes family and health problems.
Training plans and life plan: encourage the person to set goals and be motivated to achieve positive achievements for their life.
Forecast
If left untreated, drug abuse can be very dangerous. Increasing the use of drugs as the body adapts to them - tolerance - increases the possibility of overdose and death.
It is easier to overcome dependency if treatment is carried out early.
What are your experiences with drug dependence or drug abuse? I am interested in your opinion. Thanks!
References
DSM-IV & DSM-IV-TR: Substance Dependence.
"NHS and Drug Abuse." National Health Service (NHS). March 22, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
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