Drug Addiction Facts
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One of the drug addiction facts that is apparently unknown to many people is that drug addiction is not the
same as substance abuse or drug abuse.
In a word, whereas
people who abuse drugs are not necessarily drug dependent, individuals who are addicted to drugs, on the other
hand, are also drug abusers.
Another one of the drug addiction facts that is seemingly misunderstood by most drug users is this: the more
an individual engages in drug abuse, the more likely he or she will eventually become drug dependent.
People can become addicted to numerous drugs or substances such as inhalants (examples include industrial
cleaning solvents or model airplane glue), illegal drugs (heroin or methadone for instance), or prescription drugs
(like codeine or oxycontin) taken inappropriately.
Because drug addicts are so good at denying their drug-related behavior, it is important non-addicts to
become more aware of the various signs of drug addiction so that they may be able to convince the addict to get the
professional help they need.
Dysfunctional Behavior and Consequences
Whatever the substance or drug of choice, drug abuse AND drug addiction are characterized by the damaging ways
in which the substance or drug takes over the individual’s life, disrupting his or her daily functioning at home,
school, or work, leading to repeated drug-related legal problems and unhealthy relationships, and adversely
affecting his or her overall quality of life.
Physical and Psychological Dependence
Drug addiction can be physical, psychological, or both. Physical addiction, on the one hand, refers to the
physiological effects of drug use and is characterized by tolerance, defined as the need to take increasing amounts
of the drug in order to feel the initial “high” or “buzz,” and withdrawal symptoms that occur when the individual
abruptly stops taking the drug or substance.
| Substance abuse and medical research have discovered that drinking alcohol can be
hazardous in smaller amounts if it is consumed along with the following drugs: street drugs such as
opium and heroin; sedatives such as barbiturates and tranquilizers; anti-seizure medications such
as phenobarbital; and narcotic pain medications such as Darvocet, Codeine, and Codeine
derivatives. |
 Psychological addiction, on the other hand, refers to
the subjective feelings the addict needs in order to experience intense pleasure or euphoria.
For example, taking a drug to deaden the pain of an unpleasant sensation or to “chill out” are illustrations of
psychological dependence.
Regrettably, the individuals who are actively involved in drug addiction and/or drug abuse are typically the
last people to “see” their negative behavior and their own symptoms of addiction and abuse.
| More than 67% of young people who start drinking before the age of 15 will try an
illicit drug. Children who drink are 7.5 times more likely to use any illicit drug, more than 22
times more likely to use marijuana, and 50 times more likely to use cocaine than children who never
drank. |
Drug Addiction Versus Drug Abuse
 To differentiate the difference between drug
abuse and drug addiction, we will provide definitions of both terms below.
Drug abuse is defined as a pattern of taking drugs that results in one or more of the following
circumstances:
- Experiencing recurring alcohol-related legal problems. Examples include getting arrested for driving “under
the influence,” for damaging someone's property, or for physically hurting someone while drug impaired.
- Failure to attend to important responsibilities at work, home, or school.
- Taking drugs in circumstances that can result in physical injury. Examples include driving a vehicle or
operating machinery.
- Continued abuse despite ongoing relationship difficulties that are drug-related.
| The optimum time for a drug or alcohol intervention is just after a major event,
although it is important that the addict is sober at the time of the intervention. An example of
such an event is if the person gets arrested, or when he/she has wronged (lied, stolen, cheated
etc.) a person who has done these types of things will usually show emotions such as remorse or
guilt. |
Drug addiction is a disease that includes the following symptoms:
- Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms that take place when an individual suddenly quits taking drugs.
Such symptoms include: nausea, sweating, and shaking.
- Craving: A strong and continuing need or compulsion to take drugs.
- Tolerance: The need to take increasingly more drugs in order to experience a “buzz" or to get “high."
- Loss of control: The inability to limit one's drug use over time or on any given circumstance.
Signs of Drug Addiction
It is important to stress the fact that drug addicts regularly try to deny their drug-related problems while
they hide the symptoms of their addiction.
There are, however, many well-known and predictable "warning" signs of drug addiction that strongly suggest drug
dependency. The following list represents some of the more common and recognizable warning signs of drug
addiction:
- The inability to limit one's drug use over time or during any given situation.
- Talking incoherently or making inappropriate remarks.
- Inappropriately and frequently wearing long sleeve shirts and/or sunglasses.
- Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors, such as making numerous trips to the restroom, basement, or
garage or other isolated areas where drug addiction can take place.
- Withdrawal symptoms that take place when an individual suddenly quits taking drugs. Such symptoms include:
“the shakes,” sweating, headaches, and nausea.Noticeable degradation regarding one’s grooming and physical
appearance.
- Sudden increases in school absences or employment problems while grades or quality of work diminish.
- A strong and continuing need or compulsion to take drugs.
- The need to take increasingly more drugs in order to experience a “high” or a “buzz."
- Taking drugs the first thing in the morning.
- A preoccupation with drugs exemplified by constantly talking about drugs and pressuring others to use join
in drug-related behavior.
- Associating with known drug addicts or refusing to spend time with friends or family who don't use
drugs.
- Irritability, angry outbursts, manic behavior, or wide mood swings.
- Frequently borrowing money, selling possessions, or stealing things from work, home, or from school.
- Expressing feelings of depression, hopelessness, or exhaustion.
- An inability to have fun or to relax without taking drugs.
| Drug abuse is a major public health problem that impacts society on multiple levels.
Directly or indirectly, every community is affected by drug abuse and addiction, as is every
family. Drugs take a tremendous toll on our society at many levels. As a result, more relevant drug
and alcohol abuse educational and prevention programs are needed to reduce the damage and
destruction caused by drug abuse. |
Drug Addiction Facts: Conclusion
Certain drug addiction facts are seemingly misunderstood by a number of people. One of these drug addiction
facts is that drug abuse is not the same thing as drug addiction.
 Another one of these drug addiction facts that
is not understood my numerous individuals is that the more a person involves himself or herself in drug abuse,
the higher the probability that he or she will make the transition from drug abuse to drug dependency.
Due to the fact that drug dependent individuals are so adept at denying their drug-related behavior, it is
important for family members and friends to become more aware of the different signs of drug addiction so that they
may be able to convince the addict to get the professional assistance he or she requires.
Indeed, without knowing about the various signs of drug addiction, a concerned person will have to resort to
guesswork regarding the drug-oriented behavior of their family members or friends who have a drug
problem.
| There is a gradual dissemination of the 'harder drugs' heroin and cocaine into
younger and younger populations as the stigma of drug use breaks down. The alarming decrease in the
cost of hard drugs also means that they now represent better 'value for the money' than
alcohol. |
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Recently in some states, another type of "driving under the influence" has been identified,
namely, driving under the combined influence of alcohol and other drugs. Interestingly, the drugs
contributing to the impaired condition do not need to be illegal. That is, these "other drugs" can
be legal prescriptions or even over-the-counter remedies and treatments. Most professionals in the
field of drug abuse prevention argue that any use of illegal drugs is by definition abuse. Those
drugs got to be illegal in the first place because they are potentially addictive or can cause
severe negative health effects; therefore, any use of illegal substances is dangerous and
abusive.
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