Your body craves a substance or behavior, especially if it results in a compulsive or obsessive pursuit of “reward” and a lack of concern for consequences. An addiction is a chronic dysfunction of the brain system that involves reward, motivation, and memory.
Drug addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and results in an inability to control the use of drugs or medications, whether they are legal or illicit (substances like alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine also qualify as drugs). When you are addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.
When it comes to opioids, drug addiction often starts with exposure to prescribed medications or receiving them from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the drug. Drug addiction can start with the occasional use of a recreational drug in social settings, and for some people, the use of drugs increases in frequency.
Different drugs have different risks for addiction and different rates of addiction development. Opioid painkillers, for example, have a higher risk and develop addiction more quickly than other drugs.
With continued drug use, you may find it increasingly difficult to abstain from the drug, and attempts to stop use may result in strong cravings and physical symptoms (withdrawal symptoms). With time, you may need higher doses of the drug to get high, and eventually you may need the drug just to feel good.
To beat your drug addiction and maintain your drug-free lifestyle, you might need assistance from your doctor, family, friends, support groups, or a formal treatment program.
Symptoms
Among other signs or actions of drug addiction are:
The conviction that you must consume the drug on a regular basis, such as daily or multiple times a day.
Experiencing strong drug cravings that interfere with all other thoughts.
As time goes on, more medication will be required to produce the same results.
Using the medication in greater doses or for longer than you intended.
Making sure you keep a supply of the drug on hand
Purchasing the drug despite being unable to afford it with money you don’t have
Due to drug use, failing to fulfill obligations and duties at work or refraining from social or recreational activities.
Using the drug despite knowing that it is harming your physical or mental health or causing you problems in your life.
Taking actions you wouldn’t normally take to obtain the drug, like stealing
When using the drug, avoid operating machinery or engaging in other potentially dangerous activities.
Investing considerable time in obtaining the drug, utilizing it, or dealing with its side effects.
Being unable to successfully stop using the drug
When you try to stop taking the drug, you experience withdrawal symptoms.
Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members
It can be challenging to tell the difference between drug use and typical teenage angst or moodiness.
·Problems at school or work— a drop in grades or performance at work, frequent absences from school or work, a sudden lack of interest in activities at school, etc.
·Physical health issues— a lack of vigor and drive, weight gain or loss, or red eyes
·Neglected appearance— disregard for appearances, grooming, or attire
·Changes in behavior— making excessive attempts to keep family members out of his or her room, keeping friends’ whereabouts a secret, or making significant behavioral and interpersonal changes
·Money issues— sudden requests for money without a good reason; the discovery of missing or stolen money; or the disappearance of items from your home, which might be being sold to fund drug use.
Marijuana, hashish and other cannabis-containing substances
Cannabis is commonly used before or in conjunction with other substances, such as alcohol or illicit drugs, and is frequently the first drug tried. People use cannabis by smoking, eating, or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug.
These are some symptoms and warning signs of recent use:
A high-like feeling or euphoria
An enhanced capacity for taste, smell, and vision perception
An increase in heart rate and blood pressure
· Red eyes
· Dry mouth
· Decreased coordination
· Difficulty concentrating or remembering
· Slowed reaction time
· Anxiety or paranoid thinking
The smell of marijuana or pale fingertips
Extreme food cravings at odd times
Chronic long-term use is frequently linked to:
· Decreased mental sharpness
Subpar academic or professional performance
Reduced social circle and range of interests
Bath salts, K2, and spices
Synthetic cannabinoids and substituted or synthetic cathinones are two classes of synthetic drugs that are prohibited in the majority of states due to their unpredictable effects and lack of quality control.
Contrary to what the manufacturer may have you believe, synthetic cannabinoids, also known as K2 or Spice, can also be prepared as an herbal tea and are sprayed on dried herbs before being smoked.
These are some symptoms and warning signs of recent use:
A high-like feeling or euphoria
· Elevated mood
A changed ability to perceive taste, sound, and visual cues
· Extreme anxiety or agitation
· Paranoia
· Hallucinations
An increase in blood pressure and heart rate or a heart attack
· Vomiting
· Confusion
Packages are frequently labeled as other products to avoid detection, and substituted cathinones, also known as “bath salts,” are psychoactive (mind-altering) substances similar to amphetamines like ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine.
Substituted cathinones are highly addictive and can be consumed orally, snorted, inhaled, or injected. Despite their name, they are not bath products like Epsom salts.
These are some symptoms and warning signs of recent use:
· Euphoria
· Increased sociability
· Increased energy and agitation
· Increased sex drive
Increasing blood pressure and heart rate
· Problems thinking clearly
· Loss of muscle control
· Paranoia
· Panic attacks
· Hallucinations
· Delirium
· Psychotic and violent behavior
Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics
Prescription drugs that depress the central nervous system include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and hypnotics, which are frequently abused in an effort to relax or “switch off” or forget stressful thoughts or feelings.
·Barbiturates.Secobarbital (Seconal) and phenobarbital are two examples.
·Benzodiazepines.Sedatives like clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), lorazepam (Ativan), and alprazolam (Xanax) are some examples.
·Hypnotics.Among them are zolpidem (Ambien, Intermezzo, and other prescription sleeping pills) and zaleplon (Sonata), two different types of sedatives.
These are some symptoms and warning signs of recent use:
· Drowsiness
· Slurred speech
· Lack of coordination
Anxiety or mood swings
Issues with focus or clarity of thought
· Memory problems
· Involuntary eye movements
· Lack of inhibition
Blood pressure fell and breathing slowed down.
· Falls or accidents
· Dizziness
The stimulants meth, cocaine, and others
Stimulants, which include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, and others), and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR, and others), are frequently abused to achieve a “high,” increase energy, enhance performance at work or school, lose weight, or regulate appetite.
These are some symptoms and warning signs of recent use:
Exuberance and excessive self-assurance
· Increased alertness
· Increased energy and restlessness
· Behavior changes or aggression
· Rapid or rambling speech
· Dilated pupils
· Confusion, delusions and hallucinations
· Irritability, anxiety or paranoia
Variations in body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate
Weight loss and nauseous or vomiting
· Impaired judgment
If snorting drugs, nasal congestion and nose-mucous membrane damage may occur.
Meth mouth, which is an infection of the mouth and teeth caused by drug use.
· Insomnia
Depression following drug withdrawal
Club drugs
Club drugs, such as ecstasy or molly (MDMA), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol; a brand used outside of the U.S.; also known as roofie), and ketamine, are frequently used at clubs, concerts, and parties. While these drugs are not all in the same category, they do share some common effects and dangers, including long-term negative effects.
The use of GHB and flunitrazepam raises the risk of sexual misconduct or sexual assault because these medications have sedative, muscle relaxing, confused, and memory-impairing effects.
Club drug use can present with a variety of symptoms, such as:
· Hallucinations
· Paranoia
· Dilated pupils
· Chills and sweating
· Involuntary shaking (tremors)
· Behavior changes
cramping in the muscles and grinding of the teeth
Relaxed muscles, poor balance, or difficulty moving
· Reduced inhibitions
Increased or altered sensitivity to taste, sound, and sight
· Poor judgment
Issues with memory or memory loss
· Reduced consciousness
Alterations in blood pressure and heart rate
Hallucinogens
The two most widely used hallucinogens are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (PCP), which can each result in a different set of signs and symptoms when used.
LSD use may cause:
· Hallucinations
A significantly diminished ability to perceive reality, such as when you mistakenly perceive information from one of your senses as coming from another, such as when you hear colors.
· Impulsive behavior
· Rapid shifts in emotions
Long-term adjustments to perception in the mind
Blood pressure is high and the heart rate is quick.
· Tremors
Even years later, hallucinations would come back to mind in flashbacks.
PCP use may cause:
A sensation of being cut off from your body and environment
· Hallucinations
Movement and coordination issues
· Aggressive, possibly violent behavior
· Involuntary eye movements
· Lack of pain sensation
An increase in heart rate and blood pressure
Memory and thought process issues
· Problems speaking
· Impaired judgment
· Intolerance to loud noise
· Sometimes seizures or coma
Inhalants
Glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids, and household aerosol products are some of the substances that are frequently inhaled, and because they are toxic, users may experience brain damage or sudden death as a result of using them.
Use can manifest in various ways, including:
Having an inhalant in your possession without a valid justification
· Brief euphoria or intoxication
· Decreased inhibition
· Combativeness or belligerence
· Dizziness
· Nausea or vomiting
· Involuntary eye movements
Slurred speech, sluggish movements, and a lack of coordination that give the impression of intoxication.
· Irregular heartbeats
· Tremors
Inhalant material’s lingering odor
Nose- and mouth-area rashes
Opioid painkillers
The class of drugs known as opioids, which includes heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone, and oxycodone, are narcotic, painkilling drugs made from opium or synthetically.
Some people who have used opioids for a long time may need physician-prescribed temporary or long-term drug substitution during treatment. Addiction to opioid prescription pain medications, sometimes called the “opioid epidemic,” has reached an alarming rate throughout the United States.
Narcotic abuse and dependence can show various signs and symptoms, such as:
· Reduced sense of pain
· Agitation, drowsiness or sedation
· Slurred speech
Memory and attentional issues
· Constricted pupils
Ignorance of or disregard for nearby individuals and objects
· Problems with coordination
· Depression
· Confusion
· Constipation
Nasal sores or a runny nose (if using drugs by snorting)
If you inject drugs, you may have needle marks.
Causes
Drug addiction may develop for a variety of reasons, similar to many other mental health disorders. The main reasons are:
·Environment.Initial drug use appears to be influenced by environmental factors, such as your family’s values and socialization into a drug-using peer group.
·Genetics.Once drug use has begun, inherited (genetic) traits may have an impact on the development of addiction, which could slow or hasten the course of the disease.
Changes in the brain
The physical changes that the addictive drug causes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain, which use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate, can last for a long time after you stop using the drug, are thought to be the cause of physical addiction.
Risk factors
Drug addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or financial standing.
·Family history of addiction.If a parent or sibling has a drug or alcohol problem, you are more likely to develop a drug addiction yourself.
·Mental health disorder.Drug use can become a coping mechanism for unpleasant emotions, such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and can exacerbate these problems if you have a mental health disorder like depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or post-traumatic stress disorder.
·Peer pressure.For young people in particular, peer pressure plays a significant role in drug use and abuse.
·Lack of family involvement.Addiction risk may be exacerbated by challenging family dynamics, a lack of connection to your parents or siblings, or parental neglect.
·Early use.Early drug use can affect how the brain develops and raise the risk of developing a drug addiction.
·Taking a highly addictive drug.Smoking or injecting drugs can increase the risk of addiction. Using drugs that are thought to be less addictive, so-called “light drugs,” can set you on the path to drug use and addiction. Some drugs, such as stimulants, cocaine, or opioid painkillers, may cause addiction to develop more quickly than other drugs.
Complications
Some drugs can be especially risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. Here are some examples of how drug use can have significant and harmful short-term and long-term effects.
Cocaine, opiates, and methamphetamine are all very addictive and have a number of short- and long-term health effects, such as psychosis, seizures, and overdose deaths.
The so-called “date rape drugs” GHB and flunitrazepam are known to impair the ability to resist unwanted contact and memory of the event. At high doses, they can cause seizures, coma, and death. The danger increases when these drugs are combined with alcohol. These drugs may cause sedation, confusion, and memory loss.
MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy or molly, can lead to seizures, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, and other complications.
The liquid, pill, or powder forms of club drugs that are sold on the street frequently contain unidentified, potentially harmful substances, such as other illegally produced or pharmaceutical drugs. This poses a particular risk to users of these substances.
Because inhalants are toxic, users run the risk of suffering from various degrees of severe brain damage.
Other life-changing complications
Several harmful and dangerous complications can result from drug dependence, including:
·Getting a communicable disease.Drug addicts are more likely to share needles or engage in unsafe sex, which both increase their risk of contracting infectious diseases like HIV.
·Other health problems.Depending on the drug used, there are a variety of short-term and long-term mental and physical health issues that can result from drug addiction.
·Accidents.Addicts to drugs are more likely to operate heavy machinery or engage in other risky activities.
·Suicide.Addicts to drugs are more likely to commit suicide than non-addicts to do so.
·Family problems.Changes in behavior can lead to custody disputes as well as marital or family conflict.
·Work issues.Drug use can result in decreased productivity at work, absenteeism, and ultimately a loss of employment.
·Problems at school.The ability to concentrate in class and the desire to do well academically can both suffer from drug use.
·Legal issues.Drug users frequently experience legal issues, which can result from purchasing or using illegal substances, from stealing to fund a drug habit, from driving while high or intoxicated, or from custody battles.
·Financial problems.Spending money to support drug use diverts resources away from other needs, may result in debt, and may encourage unethical or illegal behavior.
Prevention
If your doctor prescribes a substance with the potential for addiction, use caution when taking it and follow the directions provided by your doctor. The best way to prevent addiction to a substance is to not take the substance at all.
If you feel you need to take more medication than what is recommended, talk to your doctor. Doctors should prescribe these medications at safe doses and amounts and monitor their use to ensure you are not given too much or for too long.
prevention of teen and child drug use
Take the following actions to help your kids and teenagers avoid drug use:
·Communicate.Discuss the dangers of drug use and abuse with your children.
·Listen.When your kids discuss peer pressure, pay attention and offer encouragement to them in their efforts to avoid it.
·Set a good example.Children of drug-using parents are more likely to develop a drug addiction than other people.
·Strengthen the bond.The risk of your child abusing or using drugs will be decreased if you and your child have a strong, stable relationship.
Preventing a relapse
If you use a drug again after being addicted to it before, even after receiving treatment and abstaining from it for a while, it’s likely that you’ll relapse into an addictive pattern and lose control over your use.
·Stick with your treatment plan.The chances of remaining drug-free are significantly increased if you continue to see your therapist or counselor, attend support group meetings, and take prescribed medication.
·Avoid high-risk situations.Keep away from your former drug friends and avoid returning to the area where you used to purchase your drugs.
·Get help immediately if you use the drug again.Talk to a medical professional, a mental health expert, or someone else who can assist you right away if you start using the drug again.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
When it comes to drug addiction, homoeopathy has many effective treatments available, but the choice depends on the patient’s individuality, taking into account their mental and physical health. Homoeopathy is currently a rapidly growing system that is used throughout the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach to the sick individual by promoting inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical levels
Insomnia brought on by drugs or alcohol. Sleeplessness with nervous exhaustion and weakness. **AVENA SATIVA—**Avena sativa is one of the best remedies for drug addiction. It is effective for the negative effects of morphine or heroin addiction. It is a good remedy for those addicted to cocaine, marijuana, nervy, tranquilizers, or sedatives.
NUX VOMICAThe patient is nervous and highly irritable, has a headache and an intoxicated feeling, nausea and vomiting, and constipation are other common symptoms. Nux vomica is another effective remedy for the negative effects of drugs, as well as for the negative effects of alcohol, tobacco, opium, coffee, and wine.
**MORPHINUM—**Morphinum is also used to treat the negative side effects of excessive drug use, including mental depression and dream-like behavior, vertigo and dizziness with the slightest head movement, lividity of the face, lips, tongue, mouth, or throat, violent throbbing in the heart and carotids, and alternation of tachycardia and bradycardia.
Coffea alleviates the negative effects of sleeping pills and treats severe insomnia brought on by drug addiction, as well as hyperactivity of the mind and body, increased nerve sensitivity, overexcitation, and sensitivity, as well as dangerous symptoms from emotions like joy and pleasant surprise.
Emotions and sensations are exaggerated when using cannabis, which also causes constant anxiety about going insane, a fear of the dark, and an exaltation of spirits.
BELLADONNA-Hallucinations, sees monsters, hideous faces, spits on other people’s faces, easily irritated, desire to flee or hide himself, fear of darkness and visions of ghosts brought on by drug addiction, acuteness of all senses, changeable moods.
Hallucinations are the most noticeable symptom of HYOSYAMUS NIGER’s headache from drug addiction. He often talks to dead people in his head and imagines that everything is an animal. He also does foolish things and acts erratically, giggling, babbling, and fighting.
SULPHURSulphur is said to counteract the negative effects of cannabis addiction. Patients who take sulfur express sadness and melancholy and think of themselves as great men. They also have a strong impulsive tendency to commit suicide by jumping out of windows or drowning.
LACHESISThe patient is very talkative, has a head drug addiction, and feels constricted in the head, throat, and abdomen as well as other places.
PULSATILLA NIGRICANS.— Changeable stools, with no two stools being the same due to a heroin addiction.
Give mother tincture doses if you have a drug addiction that is causing you to have trouble sleeping. **PASSIFLORA INCARNATA**
OPIUM—Drowsiness and coma brought on by drug addiction. The patient drifts off into a deep sleep and believes he is not at home. He experiences terrifying visions of mice and scorpions. His senses are perverted, and he experiences euphoria, excessive excitement, and insomnia.
VIPERADrug addiction treatment through injections
EMAIL—[email protected]
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