Drug Addiction

How is drug addiction defined?

Drug addiction is defined as the mental or physical dependence of a drug. However, this is a short and sweet definition that only skims the surface.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition categorised three different stages of drug addiction, which are preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect.

The characteristics of preoccupation/anticipation include constant cravings and preoccupation with obtaining the drug.

The characteristics of binge/intoxication include using more of the drug than required to experience the usual effects that the drug had originally.

The characteristics of withdrawal/negative affect include experiencing acceptance, withdrawal symptoms, and decreased enthusiasm for normal activities.

The main reason individuals become addicted to a drug is the effect they experience when using the drug, however, different effects are associated with different drugs.

Cocaine and methamphetamine often produces the effect of increased energy. Heroin, oxycontin, & benzodiazepines often produces the effect of relaxation. The drug stimulates the pleasure center of the brain and once the drug is not taken the person can become uncomfortable or even experience pain, thus the desire to keep taking the drug.

Drug addiction can become such a problem that it begins to interfere with relationships, work, and even the health of an individual.

Signs and Symptoms of drug addiction

Drug addiction has several different signs and symptoms, which can be different according to the drug that a person might be taking. The effects a drug has on a person physically or mentally is also of course different according to the type of drug they might be taking.

The pattern of drug addiction is the same, on the other hand, no matter the type of drug a person may be using.

One of the first signs of drug addiction is that the drug becomes more important than anything else does in the world including their family, friends, job, and other activities the person at one time enjoyed.

In the majority of cases, the emotional and physical consequences of drug addiction are that a persons judgment is impaired which can lead to dangerous situations.

Mental or emotional signs of drug addiction include:

Being unusual talkative
Anger
Anxiety
Increased irritability
Abnormal calmness
Unresponsiveness
Indifference
Depression
Suspicion
Delusions
Temporary phobias
Hallucinations

Physical signs of drug addiction include:

Increased energy (seen with stimulants)
Restlessness (seen with stimulants)
Inability to sleep (seen with stimulants)
Unusually slow movements (seen with opiates, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates)
Unusual slow speech (seen with opiates, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates)
Unusual slow reaction time (seen with opiates, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates)
Confusion (seen with opiates, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates)
Disorientation (seen with opiates, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates)
Rapid weight loss or weight gain
Excessive sleepiness
Sudden changes in dress (eg wearing long sleeved shirts to hide injection marks)
Sinusitis
Nosebleeds
Persistent cough
Bronchitis
Coughing up excessive mucus or blood
Dental problems

Finding specific items in a persons room or belongings can also be a sign of drug use or drug addiction including:

Pipes
Roach clips
Syringes
Razor blades
Small handheld mirrors

Causes of Drug Addiction

There are many different reasons that one can become addicted to any drug since the force behind drug addiction is the inability to get relief from untreated physical or mental pain. Drugs can be a very tempting to help a person to handle depression, stress, and loneliness.

A few risk factors that help contribute to drug addiction include:

A family history of drug addiction – at this time there is no scientific evidence that places genetics or a person environment with drug addiction, but a person that has a family history of drug addiction is at greater risk for abusing drugs.
Untreated mental illness – a person suffering from mental illness may use drugs to help overcome their problems can become addicted if they are not receiving medical supervision.
Untreated physical pain – a person that has any type of pain may use drugs to help ease the pain can become addicted if they are not receiving medical supervision.
Peer Pressure – usually teenagers fall prey to this risk factor as their friends are doing drugs and he/she want to be liked and therefore begin taking drugs, which can lead to drug addiction.

Learn more abour drug abuse, drug addiction treatment, & drug rehab.