Understanding Drug Addiction

Learn About Drug Abuse & Addiction

While many substances such as alcohol or prescription medications can be benign or even helpful in the correct doses, sometimes people use them so much that the substance begins to cause harm. Other substances, such as meth or cocaine, are harmful no matter the dose. When a person begins to use a substance to the degree that it becomes harmful, that person may meet criteria for a substance use disorder.

There are many types of substance abuse, and they can range from having too many drinks when out with friends to taking more than the prescribed dose of an anti-anxiety medication to using meth. Any kind of substance abuse has the potential to cause tremendous pain and difficulty in a person’s life, but thankfully there is hope available to those who wish to overcome their substance abuse.

Statistics

Statistics for Drug Abuse

A study from 2012 found that one in ten people in the U.S. had abused prescription or illegal drugs, and this abuse is costly: nearly $700 billion was lost to crime, lost productivity, and healthcare costs associated with substance abuse. Deaths from both prescription and illicit drugs increased an average of 230% from 2001 to 2003. In the same time frame, deaths from benzodiazepines, or benzos, quadrupled, and deaths from heroin more than quintupled.

Causes & Risks

Causes & Risk Factors of Drug Addiction

Substance abuse arises from a complex combination of both genetic and environmental factors such as the following:

Genetic: A person’s risk of developing a substance use disorder is somewhat heritable. People with close relatives—parents or siblings—who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness are more likely than others to develop a substance use disorder. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has identified a few clusters of genes that may make certain people more vulnerable to substance abuse.

Environmental: While genetics can influence a person’s vulnerability to substance abuse, environment affects how genetic vulnerabilities may or may not be expressed. Exposure to severe chronic stressors, such as abuse, neglect, poverty, violence, or unemployment can increase a person’s chance of developing a substance use disorder.

Risk Factors:

Family history of substance abuse or mental illness
Personal history of substance abuse or mental illness
Exposure to trauma or severe chronic stress
Neglect or abuse as a child
Friends who use substances
Poor self-esteem
Low level of education
Impulsivity
Poverty
Unemployment

Signs and Symptoms

Signs & Symptoms of Drug Addiction

The signs and symptoms of substance abuse differ depending on the nature of a person’s use. Some common signs and symptoms of substance abuse include:

Behavioral symptoms:

Excessive energy (if using stimulants)
Low energy (if using other drugs)
Secretive or deceptive behavior
Talking about drugs frequently
Engaging in risky or impulsive behavior
Decrease in school or work performance
Unexplained absences from work, school, or social events
Sudden financial problems
Making appointments with several different doctors at a time
Hyperactivity or restlessness
Violating laws or personal morals in pursuit of the substance

Physical symptoms:

Sweating
Nosebleeds
Weight loss
Bloodshot eyes
Puncture wounds, especially on the arms
Poor hygiene
Jitteriness
Muscle twitches
Difficulty sleeping
Oversleeping

Cognitive symptoms:

Confusion or disorientation
Difficulty with solving problems or making decisions
Distorted thought processes
Heightened attention (if the person is using a stimulant)
Poor attention (if the person is using a depressant or other drug)

Psychosocial symptoms:

Loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities
Paranoia
Lack of motivation to fulfill one’s responsibilities
Sudden angry outbursts
Failing to attend social obligations
Mood swings

Effects

Effects of Drug Abuse

Substance abuse can have extremely detrimental effects on a person if he or she does not seek help. These negative effects can include:

Depression
Anxiety
Suicidal thoughts
Reduced performance at job or school, possibly leading to job loss or expulsion from school
Infections, such as HIV, from sharing drug paraphernalia
Damage to heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys
Strained or broken relationships with family, friends, and children
Financial problems
Legal problems, including prison time
Seizures
Loss of cognitive abilities
Brain damage
Coma
Death

Co-Occurring Disorders

Drug Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

Sometimes people who abuse substances do so initially as an attempt to cope with another disorder. People with substance use disorders often meet criteria for other disorders, including:

Eating disorders
Learning disorders
Personality disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Depressive disorders
Bipolar disorder
Anxiety disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Withdrawal & Overdose Effects

Effects & Symptoms of Withdrawal from Drugs

Effects of withdrawal: When a person abuses substances, his or her body eventually becomes accustomed to the presence of the substance. If that person then attempts to stop using the substance, his or her body must readjust itself to operating without the substance. This readjustment process, known as withdrawal, can be extremely uncomfortable and even dangerous. Though the exact symptoms of withdrawal will vary based on which substance a person is using and how long that person has been using it, the following are some common withdrawal symptoms:

Paranoia
Digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Watery eyes
Runny nose
Exhaustion
Insomnia
Agitation or irritability
Loss of appetite
Hot or cold flashes
Seizures
Suicidal thoughts
Tremors or shakes
Seizure
Powerful cravings for more of the substance
Aches and pains
Sweating

Effects of overdose: Over time, a substance begins to have less of an effect on the person using it, requiring him or her to take more to achieve a high, possibly leading to an overdose. The symptoms of an overdose differ depending on the drug taken, but they can include the following: