Effects Of Drug Abuse - The Effects Of Drug Abuse And Addiction Differ Depending On The Drug Used

Drug addiction is a practice of repeated drug use, escalating to the point of craving drugs and then, unable to control these cravings. Drug abuse generally start when a person feels the need to be calmed or soothed, as drugs have a numbing affect on a person trying to face the realities of life. Someone whose life is discontented or might feel a hopelessness toward life, is suffering a physical pain or is experiencing boredom in their life tend to turn to drugs as an escape from their mental and physical suffering.

Peer pressure is another important factor in why a person starts doing drugs, especially among teenagers. They can often be convinced their problems will dissolve away with the help of repeated use of a drug. While under the control of various drugs, reality no longer exists and they continue to use drugs to stay in that realm of pleasure. This feeling of temporary mental pleasure causes the cravings for more drugs. The drug residue also, left in the body causes the cravings, too. Drugs are normally intended for use to provide respite for health problems, but drugs can have side effects. One of these aspects is creating a dependency on the drug. This kind of drug dependency is a serious consequence of taking drugs and addiction is easily established. Toxicity of the components exists in all drugs when taken in large doses, so as a person progresses with their involvement in drugs and continues to take larger doses, the results can be fatal.

The physiological causes that can start a person on the path to drug addiction are pretty much the same for all of the people, as everyone experiences problems in their lives, but not everyone turns to drugs as a solution. The exact causes on why some of the people resort to addictive drugs to find relief from life's problems are perhaps that these people are weak to start with and need a crutch of some kind to lean on to see them through the miseries they are suffering. Alternatively it may also be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain or could be genetically linked. Signs and symptoms to look for in children abusing drugs are lying, a change in friends, stealing, changes in personality, poor performance in school, withdrawing from others, etc. Overall visible signs and symptoms of drug abuse in people of any age are nervousness, using poor judgment, dilated pupils, impaired speech and a low attention span. Certainly with the users of narcotic needle tracks are obvious on the arms. Also one must note that depending on the drug that has been used, the signs and symptoms will vary.

There is no single effective treatment recommended for drug addiction, as each individual's specific problems have to be addressed in order to determine the type of treatment needed. The first and foremost requirement in drug abuse treatment is for the individual to acknowledge their addiction and realize they need help. Timing is most important, because when this decision is made, treatment needs to be available for them. If there is a delay between them making their decision for help and treatment starting, there is a good possibility they will change their mind.

• Emma Bullock
• 09/02/2009, 12:59 PM
• 0 Comments