There are severe consequences associated with a drug addiction. The more the individual uses drugs and alcohol, the guiltier he will feel, and the more depressed he will become. He will sacrifice his personal integrity, his relationships with friends and family, his job, his savings and anything else he may have in an attempt to get more drugs. His relationships and job performance will go drastically downhill.
In addition to the mental stress created by this unethical behavior, the drug addict's body has also adapted to the presence of the drugs. He will experience an overwhelming obsession with getting and using the drugs, and will do anything to avoid the resulting pain when withdrawing from them. This is when the new drug addict begins to experience drug cravings. He now seeks drugs both for the "pleasure" they give him and to avoid the mental and physical horrors of withdrawal. At this point, the drug addict is stuck in a vicious dwindling spiral. The drugs he abuses have changed him both physically and mentally.
There is such a thing as a "drug personality," which is basically artificial and solely created by drug consumption. Drugs can change the attitude of a person from his original personality to one secretly harboring hostilities and hatreds he does not allow to be seen on the outside. Such types of personalities helps us to establish a link between drugs and increasing difficulties with crime, production and the modern breakdown of social and industrial culture.
When the addict initially tries to quit, cells in the brain that have become used to large amounts of these metabolites (the substances the body converts the drugs or alcohol into and that get trapped in the fatty tissues) are now forced to deal with much decreased amounts. Even as the withdrawal symptoms subside, the brain "demands" that the addict give it more of the drug. This is called drug craving. Craving is an extremely powerful urge and can cause a person to create all kinds of "reasons" they should begin using drugs or drinking again. He is now trapped in an endless cycle of trying to quit, craving, relapse and fear of withdrawal.
Eventually, the brain cells will again become used to having lowered drug metabolites. But, because deposits of drug or alcohol release back into the bloodstream from fatty tissues for years, craving and relapse remain a cause for concern. Left unhandled, the presence of metabolites even in microscopic amounts cause the brain to react as if the addict had again actually taken the drug and can set up craving and relapse even after years of sobriety.
Drug Addiction: What is it?
It was once widely thought that a person was a drug addict or an alcoholic only if he needed the drug daily or if he went through withdrawal symptoms (vomiting, seizures, cramps, death) when he abruptly stopped using the substance. Alcoholics and drug addicts were also perceived as individuals that were poor, unemployed and from the inner city.
These are serious misconceptions of drug addiction. Many drug addicts do not use drugs or consume alcohol on a daily basis and do not necessarily experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. In fact, the majority of addicted individuals are employed and seem to be functioning normally.
Recognizing a Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a festering sore that affects all areas and sectors of society. It does not discriminate according to age, sex, race, religion or financial status. No one ever starts using drugs with the intention of becoming hooked and developing a drug addiction. Young people don't experiment with drugs so that they can purposely ruin their lives and the lives of all those around them. It has been shown that boredom is a major factor in experimental use, as well as the individual's perception that certain substances are not dangerous or toxic.
Yet, alcohol and addictive drugs are basically painkillers. They chemically kill physical or emotional pain and alter the mind's perception of reality. They literally make people numb. The scientific community has been debating for several years now on whether or not a person is genetically predisposed to drug addiction. Some consider it a "disease," an inherited condition that renders the individual ill genetically for the remainder of his life, even after many years of sobriety.
Drug Addiction: The Symptoms
Drug addiction produces a drug personality with these symptoms
? Mood swings
? Unreliable
? Dishonesty
? Unable to finish projects
May begin stealing from family and friends
? May appear chronically depressed
? Unexpressed resentment and secret hatreds
? Lies to family, friends, and employers
? Withdraws from those who love him
Isolates self
Due to the variety and continual chemical alterations made to drugs, some drugs are now more addictive and pose a greater health risk than others. This is in part due to the pharmacology of the substance, and how it affects the mood and behavior of the user. However, a drug addiction is often characterized by certain habits and behavior shown by the individual.
Characteristics of a Drug Addiction
1. Loss of control: The drug user is unable to predict what will happen when he uses the substance. One day he may be able to stop after one drink, or after one line of cocaine; the next day he may not be able to control his use at all.
2. Compulsive preoccupation: The drug addict spends a great deal of time thinking about the substance he consumes.
Continued use despite negative consequences: If drinking or drug use causes problems but the individual still continues to consume the substancet, the individual is tempting drug addiction or is already addicted. The person has lost voluntary control over the use of that substance.
A nonuser or casual alcohol/drug user may have difficulty understanding why drug addicts don't just stop. Use and abuse of psychoactive (mood-altering) drugs seem to be voluntary; drug addiction seems to be characterized by involuntary, compulsive use. In most cases, drug addicts don't stop because they are addicted, they just cannot stop on their own.
The drug addict lies to family and friends, things start missing and disappearing around the house. The dishonesty conveyed is proportionate to the severity of the drug addiction, but these things are all apparent to the person living with a drug addict in their life. Our experiences show that the drug addict or alcoholic is usually an intelligent and most often creative person with much hope for the future, which only adds to the calamity of their downfall. As the drug addict slips down the drug addiction spiral, their loved ones try to deny the problem exists, sometimes for years. This is a part of the vicious cycle of addiction
How Can Someone Overcome a Drug Addiction ?
It has been found that the drug addict does not want to be an addict, but is rather driven by pain and environmental hopelessness. However, drugs have now become a necessity for the drug addict. At first he feels better under their influence; he's more relaxed, it's easier for him to have fun and to unwind. After some time, drugs take on another aspect. For now keep in mind that whatever frequency of consumption of the individual is, if he needs it and can't stop using, he is addicted even though he might not experience any withdrawal symptoms. Also, if he has difficulty breaking his usage pattern, he has an addiction
