Drug Abuse Treatment & Drug Addiction Information

Drug Addiction occurs when someone compulsively seeks a substance and uses it regardless of any physical, emotional or psychological consequences. Many people take drugs in order to forget about a problem, or use them to take the place of something else in their lives. No one starts out with the desire to become an addict or wants to cause hardship for themselves. Frequently, drug addiction will only end up making a problem worse and as a result, even more of a hassle to deal with than before.

Drug Addiction is a serious problem. At this time, over 13 million Americans claim to use illegal drugs. Various types of drugs include: stimulants, inhalants, cannabinoids, depressants, opioids and morphine derivatives, anabolic steroids, hallucinogens and prescription drugs. Drug addiction occurs with illegal and legal drugs and can affect anyone no matter how much potential they may have to succeed in the world.

The Signs of Drug Addiction

Depression, anxiety, the inability to handle a situation and other stresses in life are frequent reasons why drug use begins in the first place. How do you know if someone you care about uses drugs or may have an addiction to them? A few common signs of drug addiction are:

1. Constantly thinking about the drug
2. Poor coordination
3. Rapid or slurred speech
4. Drowsiness
5. Hallucinations
6. Unable to quit using drugs on your own
7. Memory loss
8. Nausea
9. Red eyes
10. Irritability, frequently Argumentative

Here at CARE, we recognize these symptoms of drug abuse and seek to help. The effects of drug addiction can be devastating due to the frequent mood changes it causes. Irritability, a complete calmness or lack of enthusiasm to participate in life can result in poor financial stability, the deterioration of relationships, and even loss of a job or homelessness. Our specialized treatment programs can help you overcome this powerful addiction.

What causes drug addiction?

Not everyone will become addicted to the drugs they take, but do certain things impact our susceptibility to them? Drug addiction can be affected by the following:

• Genetics affect our susceptibility to drugs. Different drugs affect our body system in different ways, for instance, one person may enjoy the effects of a drug while another may not due to chemicals and signals affecting the brain. Drugs in the category of Cannabinoids contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol (THC), which sends out signals throughout the body. For some, the results are pleasing, but for others, the results are not. Also, someone who is directly related to an addict has a higher chance of becoming one than another person might.
  
  
• Another important aspect of drug addiction is its availability. Also, each drug has its own physical makeup and thus each drug varies in the time it takes to become addicted. Depending on what drugs, if any, you have available to you, your use then determines if and how fast you will become addicted.
  
  
• Past trauma is a factor that causes many people to use drugs. Sexual abuse, loss of a loved one or some sort of an accident are all things someone would want to forget. Often times, people will deal with these problems and temporarily allow themselves to forget about them by using drugs.
  
  
• Another factor to be considered is the influence of peers in one’s life. If your friends take drugs, you are far likelier to take them yourself as you will constantly be around them, and they will be readily available. Also, society aids in the pull toward drug addiction. Many people have been programmed to believe that taking drugs is a part of life and an experience everyone should have. In reality, taking drugs causes numerous health complications, as well as personal problems and is an unnecessary risk.

Through our holistic approach to recovery we hope to consider each of the previously mentioned issues with you. Genetics, past trauma, personality, family life, nutrition and fitness level, are all separate components we treat in our search to address every faucet of your life, not only your medical components.

What are the effects of drug addiction?

The effects of drug addiction are numerous. In fact, approximately 40 million people in the U.S. have contracted serious injuries and sicknesses as a result of drug use. Although the effects may differ according to the drugs taken, the following are some common effects of long-term drug abuse:

Physical Effects

• Various diseases – HIV, Hepatitis A and B
• Increased or Decreased heart rate
• Infections
• Arthritis
• Alterations in the brain
• Overdose/death
• Seizures
• Respiratory problems

Emotional Effects

• Panic attacks
• Aggressiveness
• Depression
• Nervousness, Paranoia
• Unusually calm

Effects of Drug Addiction Withdrawal

• Insomnia
• Nausea, vomiting
• Pain in the muscles and bones
• Anxiety
• Strong desire for drugs

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For more information on addiction treatment please visit our addiction treatment section.