Drug Misuse and Addiction National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic brain disorder. Addiction doesn’t happen from having a lack of willpower or as a result of making bad decisions. But with continued use, a person’s ability to exert self-control can become seriously impaired. Addiction is a lot like other diseases, such as heart disease. Both disrupt the normal, healthy functioning of an organ in the body, both have serious harmful effects, and both are, in many cases, preventable and treatable.

Addiction Symptoms

• Drug addiction is a brain disease that falls into the category of substance use disorders.
• When they first use a drug, people may perceive what seem to be positive effects.
• People use cannabis by smoking, eating or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug.
• In fact, there is growing support for what is called harm reduction, which values any moves toward reducing the destructive consequences of substance abuse.
• Withdrawal from different categories of drugs — such as depressants, stimulants or opioids — produces different side effects and requires different approaches.
• The evidence shows that every day, people choose to recover from addiction on their own.

Research and clinical experience have identified a number of factors that promote recovery. Another is reorienting the brain circuitry of desire—finding or rediscovering a passion or pursuit that gives meaning to life and furnishes personal goals https://ecosoberhouse.com/ that are capable of supplanting the desire for drugs. A third is establishing and maintaining a strong sense of connection to others; support helps people stay on track, and it helps retune the neural circuits of desire and goal-pursuit.

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• One third experienced relapses when they were experiencing negative emotions and urges to drink/use.
• So-called “designer drugs” and synthetic drugs, such as bath salts and synthetic marijuana, can be abused and can possibly be more dangerous than other drugs.
• Treatment approaches tailored to each patient’s drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.
• For some people, it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis.

The question of what type of substance use can be considered normal or acceptable remains controversial. Substance use disorder is caused by multiple factors, including genetic vulnerability, environmental stressors, social pressures, individual personality characteristics, and psychiatric problems. But which of these factors has the biggest influence in any one person cannot be determined in all cases. One of the most important factors influencing attractiveness of regular substance abuse is the existence of significant opportunities for establishing goals and experiencing meaningful rewards in life. Research demonstrates, for example, that poverty is a strong contributor to drug use, because it imposes many barriers to resources and impediments to achieving individual goals.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

However, these tests may be used for monitoring treatment and recovery. Drug addiction, or substance use disorder, is a mental health condition that can have lifelong what is drug addiction impacts. Though it’s a treatable illness, substance use disorder recovery often involves a lifelong cycle of relapse (recurrence of use), withdrawal, and abstinence.

• While shopping addiction, sex addiction, and exercise addiction are often noted as behavioral addictions, the DSM-5 does not officially recognize these as distinct disorders.
• Nevertheless, many treatment programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous, require a commitment to complete abstinence as a condition of admission.
• It is a common feature of addiction, but not the totality of the more complex disorder.
• You might take more than the regular dose of pills or use someone else’s prescription.
• Serious complications can cause health concerns or social situations to result in the end of a life.
• An addiction is a disorder characterized by the compulsive use of a substance or activity that triggers our reward systems despite experiencing adverse consequences.
• What must follow is the process of behavior change, through which the brain gradually rewires and renews itself.

If your health care provider prescribes a drug with the potential for addiction, use care when taking the drug and follow instructions. Drug use can have significant and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Taking some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. Signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary, depending on the substance.

Drug Addiction Treatment Options