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Substance addiction is a highly complex condition that will need significant professional help to get out of. Not every person developing an addiction consciously chooses that path. Some are pressured into substance use, while others are accidentally got into the habit.
However, substance users need to realize that substance addiction includes extreme consequences, both physical and mental. From severe withdrawal symptoms to alienation in society, alcohol and drug addiction can easily destroy your life.
As per the recent statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol, the number of young adults associated with drug use is increasing. It is essential to create more awareness of the dangers of substance addiction than popularizing various treatments for alcohol. Because prevention is indeed better than cure.
Drug Addiction to Substance Use Disorder: Understanding Drug Use and Addiction
The number of people struggling with addiction is increasing day by day. From prescription drugs to recreational drugs, people depend on different types of drugs to get high. Despite having medicinal properties, most addictive substances are looked down upon as they all lead to addiction.
A good number of treatments for drug addiction are indeed available currently. However, the best way to prevent any unwanted addiction from developing is to avoid any opportunities to take the drug. Alcohol or drugs, when used repeatedly, cause grave dangers to the body, mind, and the society around them. While a good treatment program may repair the health consequences, the social repercussions may not be easy to avoid.
Drug Addiction / Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder, alias drug addiction, is the physical condition that happens when a person cannot control the drug-seeking behavior. When a person repeatedly uses an addictive drug, as per the science of addiction, the effects of the drug cause the brain to change significantly. Due to the change, the person will not be able to stop using a drug, which is called substance use disorder.
A drug or alcohol addict will feel the urge to use alcohol or other drugs constantly. They will not be able to reduce drug consumption or completely stop it. Due to the drug misuse and addiction, they will experience a deterioration in their health. However, they still won’t be able to stop the consumption.
Severe Substance Use Disorder: Mental Disorder or Not?
According to addiction psychiatry experts, severe substance use disorder can also be termed as a mental disorder. Because substance abuse disorder causes consequences like mental distress, depression, hallucination, etc. Even for a normal person, regular drug taking can lead to mild to moderate mental health issues.
Also, a compulsive drug user will not be able to control or utilize their mind for any action they want. They will lose complete control of their mind and body from them. So, the actions of an addict are not always done as per the conscious mind.
When it comes to people who have existing mental health conditions, previous drug use or current drug use can worsen the condition. People struggling with drug addiction or recovering from addiction stand a higher chance of developing mental disorders.
Substance Abuse: Risk Factors
The development of addiction can be attributed to some social and environmental factors. It doesn’t mean that people experiencing these factors are all depending on unhealthy drug use patterns. It’s just that people falling under some social factors are at a greater risk for drug use.
Some of those noted risk factors that pose a greater risk of drug addiction are as follows.
- Family history
- Mental health issues
- Difficult personal situations
- Peer pressure
- Experimentation with alcohol and illicit drug
- Repeated drug use as part of medication
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Signs and Symptoms
Drug addiction is a chronic and highly complex condition. However, it still exhibits apparent signs and symptoms. It is possible for the dear and near a person to identify the common signs to confirm whether a drug is taken by them.
The most common symptoms of drug addiction are as follows.
- Needs drug to feel functional
- Unavoidable urge to return to drug use as soon as possible
- High doses of initial drug use
- Spending too much money on drugs
- Physical deterioration
- Emotional instability
- Social awkwardness
- Severe withdrawal symptoms
- Neglected personal health and hygiene
- Behavioral changes
Substance Addiction: Dangers
The development of drug addiction is enough to destroy one’s life. Drug problems can cause significant damage in various aspects of the user’s life. There is only a part of those problems that can be resolved using addiction medicine. The social and emotional damage caused by addiction may not be resolved forever.
The dangers posed by drug addiction include the following aspects.
- Physical
- Psychological
- Financial
- Social
The physical dangers caused by addiction to alcohol or other drugs are known to most people. Drug use and the health of a person are constantly discussed, and the harmful effects of addiction risk on the user’s physical health are grave. Addicts suffer from severe symptoms of withdrawal in their bodies.
However, discussions on the dangers of addiction usually end with the physical aspects. But addiction affects various other aspects also. When it comes to social dangers, it revolves around the friends and family of the addict. They get affected by the wrong actions of the addict significantly.
Social anxiety and behavioral problems are some of the significant signs of addiction. These problems essentially affect the dear and near and can break their hearts. The addict’s behavioral issues can cause embarrassment for the family in society.
Legal dangers are another aspect of addiction. When under an addiction to opioids or other substances, the person will not be thinking rightly, and thus, there is a high chance for them to get on the wrong foot with the law. Rash driving, social nuisance, etc., are some common legal dangers posed by people with a history of addiction.
Drug Craving: Treatment Options
Treatment of substance use is something that has gained much popularity these days. People continuing to use various treatment options can lead a life devoid of addiction.
It is noted that any form of addiction, including severe cocaine use, can be brought under control through proper drug addiction treatment. People who stand a risk for addiction are better able to consult an expert and break the drug-seeking and use cycle.
For people having issues with mental health and addiction also, seeking professional drug treatment is the best way out. Currently, millions of people lead a normal life who are brave enough to seek help for their addiction.
Addiction Treatment and Addiction Recovery
As per the National Survey on Drug Use, substance use, and addiction are preventable. With effective substance abuse treatment, like residential treatment and medication, one can recover entirely from addiction.
Treatments are available for all types of addiction, including alcohol addiction. The professionals get rid of even the slightest risks of drug use from the patients effectively. Drug addiction is considered completely treatable by the experts in the industry.
Through behavioral therapies, counseling, and group activities, addicts can collect enough drug information and start leading a life without it.
Final Word
As with every other habit, moderation is the key to substance use. It is important to never feel under pressure from anyone to start using drugs. Substances can cause grave dangers for an entire community if not used responsibly. Also, it is crucial to know when to stop and when to seek help when it comes to drug addiction.
FAQs
To not increase the risk of addiction, it is essential to maintain a healthy body and mind along with a disciplined routine. Understanding the dangers of drugs and staying away from them is also crucial.
You can know whether you are addicted to drugs when you feel an uncontrollable urge to consume drugs despite knowing their harmful effects.
You can use drugs responsibly by using them in moderation. It is also respectable to stay away from drugs entirely to avoid any risk of being addicted.
The term addiction means a condition where a person feels that they cannot survive without doing a specific thing.
