Causes of Addiction

Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges. If you go too long without drugs, you experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety. Eventually drug abuse can consume your life, stopping social and intellectual development.

However, men are likelier than women to use illicit drugs, die from a drug overdose, and visit an emergency room for addiction-related health reasons. Meanwhile, women are more susceptible to intense cravings and repeated relapse. If drug addiction is left untreated, it can lead to a range of serious long-term effects. These are some of the most common long-term effects of drug addiction on the brain and body. Many of the effects of drug addiction are similar, no matter what substance someone uses. The following are some of the most common short-term effects of drug addiction.

What are the possible complications of substance use disorder?

People struggling with addiction usually deny they have a problem and hesitate to seek treatment. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried. The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug.

Signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary, depending on the substance. Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household aerosol products. Due to the toxic nature of these substances, users may develop brain damage or sudden death. Examples include methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also called MDMA, ecstasy or molly, and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, known as GHB. Other examples include ketamine and flunitrazepam or Rohypnol — a brand used outside the U.S. — also called roofie. As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high.

Substance Abuse Clinics

A person can have more than one substance use disorder at a time, such as alcohol use disorder and cocaine use disorder. In the United States, excessive behavior patterns—involving smartphone use, Internet gambling, gaming, pornography, even eating and shopping—are being studied as possible behavioral addiction. While such activities may provide the opportunity for ample immediate reward, it has not yet been determined that they meet all of the criteria for addictive behavior. All addictions have the capacity to induce a sense of hopelessness and feelings of failure, as well as shame and guilt, but research documents that recovery is the rule rather than the exception. Individuals can achieve improved physical, psychological, and social functioning on their own—so-called natural recovery. Others benefit from the support of community or peer-based networks.

Depending on the addiction, medications may also be available to help. Coping with withdrawal may require hospitalization or inpatient care to ensure adequate supervision and medical intervention as necessary. what is drug addiction This isn’t always the case, though, because different drugs have different withdrawal symptoms. The severity of use also plays a role, so knowing what to expect—and when to seek emergency help—is important.

Diagnosis

Finally, we looked at aftercare and post-treatment offerings for both alumni and the public. Because there is no cure for SUD, making sure support is offered after initial treatment is important to help individuals manage their recovery long after their time at a treatment center. It is not a requirement to travel out of state to find a treatment center for SUD. If you are looking for an exclusive program or are hoping for specific accommodations and amenities, you may choose to go out of state for a particular facility. However, if it is determined that an outpatient program is the best way forward, choosing a treatment center close to home may eliminate a commute for visitation and make more frequent meetings and therapy sessions possible.

• If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, talk to your doctor.
• These drugs can produce a “high” similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative.
• Blaming, accusing, causing guilt, threatening, or arguing isn’t helpful.
• It’s important to turn to healthy coping mechanisms during these times of change, such as exercising, meditating or learning a new hobby.
• Self-help support groups can decrease the sense of shame and isolation that can lead to relapse.
• When you use opioids for pain for a long time, for example, you may develop tolerance and even physical dependence.

Often, the bottle the drug came in will have the information needed. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-get-someone-into-rehab-guide-for-families/ care provider if you have questions about your health. Prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media may prevent or reduce drug use and addiction.

An adult (especially seniors or people taking many medications) can mistakenly ingest the incorrect medication or take the wrong dose of a medication. Purposeful overdoses are for a desired effect, either to get high or to harm oneself. They occur when a person takes more than the medically recommended dose. But if you’ve misused drugs or alcohol in the past or have family members who have, you may be at a higher risk. If you’re depressed, have trouble paying attention, or worry constantly, you have a higher chance of addiction.