Drug Addiction – Problem for Young People

Drug Addiction – Problem for Young People

What Are Substance Abuse and Addiction?

The difference between substance abuse and addiction is very slight. Substance abuse means using an illegal substance or using a legal substance in the wrong way.

Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes.

People can get addicted to all sorts of substances. When we think of addiction, we usually think of alcohol or illegal drugs. But people become addicted to medications, cigarettes, iodex, even ,syp corax and limotil tablets……

And some substances are more addictive than others: Drugs like opium or heroin are so addictive that they might only be used once or twice before the user loses control.

Addiction means a person has no control over whether he or she uses a drug or drinks. Someone who's addicted to heroin has grown so used to the drug that he or she has to have it. Addiction can be physical, psychological, or both.

Physical Addiction

Being physically addicted means a person's body actually becomes dependent on a particular substance (even smoking is physically addictive). It also means building tolerance to that substance, so that a person needs a larger dose than ever before to get the same effects.

Someone who is physically addicted and stops using a substance like drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes may experience withdrawal symptoms. Common symptoms of withdrawal in herion esp. are craving, loose stools, watering in eyes , running nose, body aches, restlessness, yawning, loss of appetite, panic, tremor, convulsions, increased hear rate , elevated temperature, dilated pupil ,cold sweats, incr. blood pressure , arrythimia,depression and suicidal tyendencies.

Psychological Addiction

Psychological addiction happens when the cravings for a drug are psychological or emotional. People who are psychologically addicted feel overcome by the desire to have a drug. They may lie or steal to get it.

A person crosses the line between abuse and addiction when he or she is no longer trying the drug to have fun or get high, but has come to depend on it. His or her whole life centers around the need for the drug. An addicted person — whether it's a physical or psychological addiction or both — no longer feels like there is a choice in taking a substance.

Signs of Addiction

The most obvious sign of an addiction is the need to have a particular drug or substance. However, many other signs can suggest a possible addiction, such as changes in mood or weight loss or gain. Signs that you or someone you know may have a drug or alcohol addiction include:

*Psychological signals:

       #use of drugs or alcohol as a way to forget problems or to relax

       #withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends

       #loss of interest in activities that used to be important

       #problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or absences

       #changes in friendships, such as hanging out only with friends who use drugs

       #spending a lot of time figuring out how to get drugs and gets less time to spend with his family

       #stealing or selling belongings from home to be able to afford or buy drugs

       #failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking inspite of knowing its harmful effects

       #anxiety, anger, or depression

       #mood swings

Physical signals:

       #changes in sleeping habits

       #feeling  sick when trying to stop

       #needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect   

*Getting Help

If you think that you or someone you care about is addicted to drugs or alcohol, recognizing the problem is the first step in getting help.

Many people think they can kick the problem on their own, but that rarely works. Find someone you trust to talk to. It may help to talk to a friend or someone your own age at first, but a supportive and understanding adult is your best option for getting help. If you can't talk to your parents, you might want to approach a school counselor, relative, doctor, favorite teacher, or religious leader.

Unfortunately, overcoming addiction is not easy. Quitting drugs or drinking is probably going to be one of the hardest things you or your friend have ever done. It's not a sign of weakness if you need professional help from a trained drug counselor or therapist. Most people who try to kick a drug or alcohol problem need professional assistance or a treatment program to do so.

*Tips for Recovery

Once you start a treatment program, try these tips to make the road to recovery less bumpy:

     #Tell your friends about your decision to stop using drugs. Your true friends will respect your decision. This might mean that you need to find a new group of friends who will be 100% supportive.

 #Ask your friends or family to be available when you need them. You might need to call someone in the middle of the night just to talk. If you're going through a tough time, don't try to handle things on your own — accept the help your family and friends offer.

      #Accept invitations only to events that you know won't involve drugs or alcohol. Going to the movies is probably safe, but you may want to skip a Friday night party until you're feeling more secure. Plan activities that don't involve drugs. Go to the movies, try bowling, or take an art class with a friend.

       #Remind yourself that having an addiction doesn't make a person bad or weak.

       

       *Staying Clean

Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction doesn't end with a 1 or 2 months  treatment program. It's a chronic mental illness(disease) like diabetes and hypertension and relapses are meant to happen in it also. Many people find that joining a support group can help them stay clean. There are support groups specifically for teens and younger people. You'll meet people who have gone through the same experiences you have and this will motivate and encourage you not to take that path again.