Drug addiction

Drug addiction is classified as a physical or psychological dependence on a drug. It can be both. Addiction can occur with drugs as common as aspirin or as insidious as amphetamines, cocaine or heroin. Some people are genetically wired for addiction, while others need several exposures to a substance to become addicted. Very few substances are considered non-addictive, because psychological dependency can occur at any time. For some people, drug addiction is a way of life that will never stop. For others, they have the potential of quitting at any time.

Psychological dependency occurs when the user becomes emotionally attached to the substance.  Without it, they may feel strong "comfort cravings", which do not alleviate any pains and provide little, if any physical pleasure.

Physical dependency, on the other hand, happens when the body itself becomes dependent on the drug. After habitual use, body systems become dependent on the drug being in the person's system in order to function correctly. The brain changes its' chemical balance to the point that an abrupt stop of the drug use can cause severe discomfort or even death.  

Narcotics are among the most widely abused drug today, bringing with their use both physical and psychological dependencies. Used to create extra endorphins, narcotic drug addiction creates an effect of dependence because, after habitual use, the body no longer produces enough dopamine to satisfy the user's comfort. Whereas “clean” people would be perfectly content without the narcotic, the drug user can plummet into a deep depression when deprived of the drug.

Stimulants such as amphetamines can be equally addictive, although some people say stimulants are the lesser of two evils. The withdrawal symptoms are quite similar, with the exception of the moods produced by each drug. Instead of sinking into deep depression, some people may go into a violent rage.

In any case of drug addiction, treatment is needed. The methods of “kicking the habit” vary widely, as do people's opinions and professional advice on how it should be done. Going "cold turkey"  is the immediate cessation of drug use, without being “weaned” off the substance. This is not always the best choice, because without a replacement substance to help the body adjust, body systems can shut down. Most professionals agree that rehabilitation and detoxification programs stand the best chance of success in cases of drug addiction.

Detoxification programs aim to flush the body systems of the drug in a gradual schedule of “drying out”. The drug addiction patient is prescribed drugs which mimic the addictive substance, without the physical and psychological dependency factors.

Rehabilitation programs are more focused on emotional causes of drug addiction, attempting to reveal the emotional sources of the drug addiction, falling more into the classification of therapy versus physical dependence.

Drug addiction is rampant in today's society, for a variety of reasons. If you or someone you know needs help, it's there for the asking.

 Drug Abuse

No one ever wants to talk about drug abuse, but for many families, there comes a time when you have to deal with it. Even if you don’t know anyone who is on drugs at any given time, you still have to talk to your children to make sure they know the dangers. Sometimes not talking to your children may seem easier than trying to find the right words to say, but this often backfires. Kids are curious, and if they aren’t aware of how you feel about something, they may not think it is any big deal.

Drug abuse can happen with illegal drugs as well as with over the counter medicines. For some kids, taking prescription drugs is something they try because parents forget to include them when they talk about drugs and drug abuse. These drugs can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs, and are often very easy for children to get their hands on. It may seem innocent to them if they don’t know what is going on before they are offered the drugs for the first time.

Drug abuse is not easy to talk about, and it is even harder to have ‘the talk’ with your children. If you have a hard time with this, you should know that help is out there. You can find many websites that deal with drug abuse, and they have practical advice and ideas about how and when to talk to your kids about drugs. They can help you figure out what to say, and provide you with the facts you need to back up what you are saying.

Even when teens have heard all about the terrors of drug abuse, you have to know that not all teens will care. Some have to try it, and they do it something just to annoy you. You have to know the signs of drug abuse and what to look out for. Make sure you know the signs, and make sure you keep your eyes wide open. If you walk around in denial, you aren’t doing you or your children any favors. Look up the signs and know them by heart. If anything with your children seems to be off, there is probably something wrong. Don’t ignore it, it may mean the difference between your children living a good life, or them wasting away. It may even mean the difference between life and death.