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Are there effective treatments for addiction?

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Are there effective treatments for addiction?

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In addition to stopping drug abuse, the goal of treatment is to return people to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and community. According to research that tracks individuals in treatment over extended periods, most people who get into and remain in treatment stop using drugs, decrease their criminal activity, and improve their occupational, social, and psychological functioning.

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NIDA. (2018, January 17). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition

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How effective is drug addiction treatment?

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In addition to stopping drug abuse, the goal of treatment is to return people to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and community. According to research that tracks individuals in treatment over extended periods, most people who get into and remain in treatment stop using drugs, decrease their criminal activity, and improve their occupational, social, and psychological functioning.

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If a pregnant women abuses drugs, does it affect the fetus?

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If a pregnant women abuses drugs, does it affect the fetus?

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If you are pregnant and you are using drugs, it is likely your substance use is having a negative effect on your unborn child because the effects of the drug is transferred to the fetus through the placenta. This is true whether the substance is alcohol, nicotine, illegal drugs or prescription medications.

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Question: What About the First Weeks of Pregnancy?

Answer: What are the effects of alcohol on a fetus during the very first weeks -- before a woman would know that she was pregnant?

Unfortunately, there is conflicting research regarding the effect of drinking alcohol during the first, early weeks of pregnancy has on the fetus. There are some studies that show alcohol consumption during the first few weeks of pregnancy - that time when you may not even know that you a pregnant yet - can harm the development of the baby.

Then again, there are other studies that claim that drinking during those early day does not harm the fetus at that stage of development.

Study Finds No Adverse Effects

A study of 5,628 pregnant women in England, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia found that women who drink during the early weeks of pregnancy did not put their babies at risk for premature birth or low birth weight. Nor, did they put themselves at risk for high blood pressure complications during pregnancy.

Even among the women who reported having more than seven drinks a week - about 15% of the study group - the rates of premature birth and low-birth-weight babies were the same as those women who did not drink.

It should be noted that this study met with a great deal of controversy when it was published in October 2013.

Even Low-Level Drinking Dangerous?

A year later, another study conducted by the University of Leeds in England found that even women who drank low-level amounts of alcohol during the first weeks of pregnancy ran the risk of premature or unexpectedly small babies.

In the study of 1,264 pregnant women, even mothers who drank as few as two drinks a week, ran a greater risk of premature births and low-weight births, compared to those who did not drink.

Pattern of Drinking Is Significant

However, over the years, studies of fetal alcohol syndrome have found that it is the mother's pattern of drinking that has the most affect on the unborn child.

The pattern and timing of prenatal alcohol use can greatly influence the impact of adverse effects on the fetus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most dangerous patterns of drinking to the baby are chronic drinking, heavy drinking and binge drinking.

Key Time of Development

Many body parts and organs are developing in the embryonic stage of pregnancy which begins at fertilization through week 8. During the first 4 weeks of pregnancy - when most women are not aware that they are pregnant - the heart, central nervous system, eyes, arms, and legs of the fetus are developing. In addition, developing organ systems may be more vulnerable to damage at the very early stages of development.

Because no one knows definitively how much or little alcohol can affect the development of your developing baby, even in the first early first weeks, the best advice continues to be quitting all alcohol consumption as soon as you intend to become pregnant or as soon as you find out that you are pregnant.
Nykjaer, C. et al "Maternal alcohol intake prior to and during pregnancy and risk of adverse birth outcomes: evidence from a British cohort." Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health March 2014 McCarthy, FP, et al "Association Between Maternal Alcohol Consumption in Early Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes." Obstetrics & Gynecology October 2013

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What About Drinking in the First Weeks of Pregnancy?

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Question: What About the First Weeks of Pregnancy? Answer: What are the effects of alcohol on a fetus during the very first weeks -- before a woman would know that she was pregnant? Unfortunately, there is conflicting research regarding the effect of drinking alcohol during the first, early weeks of pregnancy has on the fetus.

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Other than addiction, what are  some health consequences of abusing drugs?

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Other than addiction, what are  some health consequences of abusing drugs?

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The impact of addiction can be far reaching, Cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and lung disease can be affected by drug abuse.

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Drug addiction is a brain disease. Although initial drug use might be voluntary, drugs of abuse have been shown to alter gene expression and brain circuitry, which in turn affect human behavior. Once addiction develops, these brain changes interfere with an individual's ability to make voluntary decisions, leading to compulsive drug craving, seeking and use.

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Where can I find information about drug treatment programs?

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Where can I find information about drug treatment programs?

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You could find information at:

http://www.helpguide.org/

http://www.recovery.org/topics/alcohol-and-drug-addiction-recovery/

www.futuresofpalmbeach.com/

http://recovergateway.org/drug-treatment/substance-abuse-treatment/inpatient-drug-rehab/

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When is the best time to get someone treatment?

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When is the best time to get someone treatment?

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If you think you or a loved one  needs help, now is the time to do everything in your power to help them find the courage, determination and means to seek treatment as soon as possible.

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There are no simple answers as to why some people develop an addiction and others don't, but most experts agree that there are contributing psychological, biological and genetic components. Fortunately, with recent scientific advancements in our understanding of addiction, treatment programs that address both the biological and psychosocial dimensions can be very successful.

Looking at these four major types of symptoms of alcohol and drug addicts may provide some insight:

1. Loss of control - The inability to limit use despite the negative consequences

2. Cravings - An overwhelming psychological need or compulsion to drink or use any other mood-altering substance

3. Physical dependence - When attempting to stop using, there are withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shaking, or anxiety

4. Tolerance - The need for larger amounts of mood-altering chemicals to achieve the same effect

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Substance abuse is common in today's society, especially with alcohol. Abuse starts with a person using drugs or alcohol more frequently and, at intermittent times, it gets out of control. Telling signs of abuse include becoming argumentative, getting into a fight, having a wreck, becoming uncharacteristically promiscuous or adversely impacting a job or relationship.

Once a person loses the ability to willingly stop using or drinking, they are now dealing with the disease of addiction. This lack of self-control is one of the key indications that the drugs or alcohol have damaged the brain in both structure and function, making it physically impossible for the individual to stop using on their own for any prolonged length of time. By this point, since the brain has been damaged, it is highly unlikely that traditional twelve-step programs could work for any significant length of time.

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30 years ago, the scientific and medical communities didn't know as much about addiction and the brain as they do today. Part of what we've learned is that, for millions of people, overcoming addiction is not about a lack of will power or a lack of discipline. It's about their brains being literally injured and their brain chemistry being physically altered.

This has led the scientific community to acknowledge addiction as a chronic and progressive brain disease. And that means that treating addiction may require medicine, just like any other disease. Therapy is necessary for recovery, but it's not going to heal the brain. Believing therapy alone will work is one of the primary reasons so many people struggle and relapse.

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We understand that residential rehab is disruptive to families, careers and everyday life. But that's the point. If a thorough assessment leads to a medical prescription or recommendation of residential care for your loved one, it's because their brain needs disrupting in order to break the harmful patterns it has created. Every patient is unique, of course, but medical studies show that the optimal amount of time needed to reboot the brain's chemistry and rewire its neurological pathways is about 45 to 90 days. We realize that sounds like a lot, but isn't two to three months of effort now worth a lifetime of sobriety?

In addition, people who enter residential treatment typically have problems that require combined medical, psychological and/or physical therapies over a sustained period of time in a controlled environment. Residential treatment is often the most practical and effective course of action.

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It is a myth that an addicted individual must hit "rock bottom" to be ready for treatment. Helping your loved one get help early in their addiction cycle will result in fewer accompanying psychological and physical problems and a better prognosis for long-term recovery. Furthermore, "rock bottom" is a dangerous place to be; for many addicts, that point is when a near-fatal or fatal overdose, serious accident or criminal justice consequence has occurred.

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Science has detected approximately 12 to 15 different types of alcoholism and 12 to 25 types of narcotic addiction. Depending upon the type of addiction, anti-addiction medicines may be the only solution. Simply put, the brain's chemistry has been altered and needs re-balancing.

Research shows that combining anti-addiction medicines with evidence-based behavioral therapies is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches personalized to address each person's abuse patterns and co-occurring medical, psychiatric and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without addiction.

It is important to remember that addiction is a chronic and progressive disease -- like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease -- and can be managed successfully. Medically based treatments allow people to recover most - if not all - of their functionality, counteracting addiction's powerful disruptive effects and enabling people to regain control of their lives. As with other chronic diseases, of course, relapses will occur if you stop following the treatment protocols.

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We have put together a list of ten questions you should ask of any treatment program, including Enterhealth Ranch. Click here to learn more.

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There are no simple answers as to why some people develop an addiction and others don't, but most experts agree that there are contributing psychological, biological and genetic components. Fortunately, with recent scientific advancements in our understanding of addiction, treatment programs that address both the biological and psychosocial dimensions can be very successful.

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What happens to your brain if you keep taking drugs?

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What happens to your brain if you keep taking drugs?

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Other drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, can cause the nerve cells to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters, or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals, which is needed to shut off the signal between neurons.

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Drug use disorder facts

Drug abuse and addiction, now both grouped as drug use disorder, is a condition that is characterized by a self-destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems and distress, which may include tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance.

Drug use disorder is unfortunately quite common, affecting more than 8% of people in the United States at some point in their lives.

Dual diagnosis refers to the presence of both a drug-use issue in addition to a serious mental-health condition in an individual.

Virtually any substance whose ingestion can result in a euphoric ("high") feeling can be abused.

Inhalants like household cleaners are some of the most commonly abused substances.

While the specific physical and psychological effects of drug use disorder tend to vary based on the particular substance involved, the general effects of a substance use disorder involving any drug can be devastating.

Although drug use disorders have no single cause, there are a number of biological, psychological, and social risk factors that can predispose a person to developing a chemical use disorder.

Symptoms of a drug use disorder include recurrent drug use that results in legal problems, occurs in potentially dangerous situations, interfere with important obligations, results in social or relationship problems, tolerance, withdrawal, using a lot of the drug or for a long period of time, persistent desire to use the drug, unsuccessful efforts to stop using the drug, neglecting other aspects of life because of their drug use, and spending inordinate amounts of time or energy getting, using, or recovering from the effects of the drug.

While the specific effects of drugs on the brain can somewhat vary depending on the drug that is being used, virtually every substance that is abused has an effect on the executive-functioning areas of the brain. Drugs particularly affect the brain's ability to inhibit actions that the person would otherwise delay or prevent.

Since there is no single test that can definitively diagnose someone with a chemical use disorder, health-care professionals assess these disorders by gathering comprehensive medical, family, and mental-health information, as well as securing a physical examination and lab tests to assess the sufferer's medical state.

Treatment services for drug use disorders remain largely underutilized by most people who suffer from these conditions.

The primary goals of recovery are abstinence, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation.

During the initial stage of abstinence, a person who suffers from chemical dependency may need detoxification treatment to help avoid or lessen the effects of withdrawal.

Often, much more challenging and time-consuming than recovery from the physical aspects of addiction is psychological addiction.

The treatment of dual diagnosis seems to be more effective when treatment of the sufferer's mental illness is integrated with the treatment of the individual's chemical dependency.

Drug addiction increases the risk of a number of negative life stressors and conditions, particularly if left untreated.

Recovery from a substance use disorder is usually characterized by episodes of remission and relapse.

What is drug use disorder?

Formerly separately called drug abuse and drug addiction, drug use disorder, also called substance use or chemical use disorder, is an illness that is characterized by a destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems or distress, including tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance, as well as other problems that use of the substance can cause for the sufferer, either socially or in terms of their work or school performance. The effects of drug use disorders on society are substantial. The economic cost, including everything from lost wages to medical, legal, and mental-health implications is estimated to be about $215 billion. The cultivation of marijuana and production of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine has negative impact on soil and water supplies. Drug law infractions make up the most common reason for arrest in the United States, more than 14 million in 2008.

Teens are increasingly engaging in prescription drug abuse, particularly narcotics (which are prescribed to relieve severe pain), and stimulant medications, which treat conditions like attention-deficit disorder and narcolepsy.

The term dual diagnosis refers to the presence of both a drug use disorder and a serious mental-health problem in a person. Substance use disorders, unfortunately, occur quite commonly in people who also have severe mental illness. Individuals with dual diagnosis are also at higher risk of being noncompliant with treatment.

What types of drugs are commonly abused?

Virtually any substance whose ingestion can result in a euphoric ("high") feeling can be abused. While many are aware of the abuse of legal substances like alcohol or illegal drugs like marijuana (in most states) and cocaine, less well-known is the fact that inhalants like household cleaners and over-the-counter medications like cold medicines are some of the most commonly abused substances. The following are many of the drugs and types of drugs that are commonly abused and/or result in dependence:

Alcohol: Although legal, alcohol is a toxic substance, especially for a developing fetus when a mother consumes this drug during pregnancy. One of the most common addictions, alcoholism can have devastating effects on the alcoholic individual's physical well-being, as well as his or her ability to function interpersonally and at work.

Amphetamines: This group of drugs comes in many forms, from prescription medications like methylphenidate (for example, Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin) and dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall) to illegally manufactured drugs like methamphetamine ("crystal meth"). Overdose of any of these substances can result in seizure and death.

Anabolic steroids: A group of substances that is most often abused by bodybuilders and other athletes, this group of drugs can lead to devastating emotional symptoms like aggression and paranoia, as well as severe long-term physical effects like infertility and organ failure.

Caffeine: While it is consumed by many coffee, tea, and soda drinkers, when consumed in excess, this substance can be habit-forming and produce palpitations, insomnia, tremors, irritability, and significant anxiety.

Cannabis: More usually called marijuana, the scientific name for cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, with nearly 29 million people 12 years or older reporting having used this drug in the past year. In addition to the negative effects the drug itself can produce (for example, infertility, difficulties with sexual performance, paranoia, lack of motivation), the fact that it is commonly mixed ("cut") with other substances so drug dealers can make more money selling the diluted substance or expose the user to more addictive drugs exposes the marijuana user to the dangers associated with those added substances. Examples of ingredients that marijuana is commonly cut with include baby powder, oregano, embalming fluid, phencyclidine (PCP), opiates, and cocaine.

Cocaine: A drug that tends to stimulate the nervous system, cocaine can be snorted in powder form, smoked when in the form of rocks ("crack" cocaine), or injected when made into a liquid.

Ecstasy: Also called MDMA to denote its chemical composition (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), this drug tends to create a sense of euphoria and an expansive love or desire to nurture others. In overdose, it can increase body temperature to the point of causing death.

Hallucinogens: Examples include LSD and mescaline, as well as so-called naturally occurring hallucinogens like certain mushrooms. These drugs can be dangerous in their ability to alter the perceptions of the user. For example, a person who is intoxicated ("high" on) with a hallucinogen may perceive danger where there is none and to think that situations that are truly dangerous are not. Those misperceptions can result in dangerous behaviors (like jumping out of a window because the person thinks they have wings and can fly).

Inhalants: One of the most commonly abused group of substances due to its easy accessibility, inhalants are usually in household cleaners, like ammonia, bleach, and other substances that emit fumes. Brain damage, to the point of death, can result from using an inhalant even just once or over the course of time, depending on the individual.

Nicotine: The addictive substance found in cigarettes, nicotine is actually one of the most addictive substances that exists. In fact, nicotine addiction is often compared to the intense addictiveness associated with opiates like heroin.

Opiates: This group is also called narcotics and includes drugs like heroin, codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, methadone, Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, and Percodan. This group of substances sharply decrease the functioning of the nervous system. The lethality of opiates is often the result of the abuser having to use increasingly higher amounts to achieve the same level of intoxication, ultimately to the point that the dose needed to get high is the same as the dose that is lethal by overdose for that individual by halting the person's breathing (respiratory arrest).

Phencyclidine: Commonly called PCP, this drug can cause the user to feel highly suspicious, become very aggressive, and to have an exceptional amount of physical strength. This can make the person quite dangerous to others.

Sedative, hypnotic, or antianxiety drugs: The second most commonly used group of illicit drugs, these substances quiet or depress the nervous system. They can therefore cause death by stopping the breathing (respiratory arrest) of the individual who either uses these drugs in overdose or who mixes one or more of these drugs with another nervous system depressant (like alcohol, another sedative drug, or an opiate).

What are the physical and psychological effects of drug use disorders?

While the specific physical and psychological effects of drug use disorders tend to vary based on the particular substance involved, the general effects of addiction to any drug can be devastating. Psychologically, intoxication with or withdrawal from a substance can cause everything from euphoria as with alcohol, Ecstasy, or inhalant intoxication, to paranoia with marijuana or steroid intoxication, to severe depression or suicidal thoughts with cocaine or amphetamine withdrawal. In terms of effects on the body, intoxication with a drug can cause physical effects that range from marked sleepiness and slowed breathing as with intoxication with heroin or sedative hypnotic drugs, to the rapid heart rate of cocaine intoxication, or the tremors to seizures of alcohol withdrawal.

What are causes and risk factors for developing a drug use disorder?

Like most other mental-health problems, drug use disorders have no single cause. However, there are a number of biological, psychological, and social factors, known as risk factors, that can increase an individual's vulnerability to developing a chemical use disorder. The frequency with which substance use disorders occur within some families seems to be higher than could be explained by an addictive environment of the family. Therefore, most substance use professionals recognize a genetic aspect to the risk of drug addiction.

Psychological associations with substance abuse or addiction include mood disorders like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, thought disorders like schizophrenia, as well as personality disorders like antisocial personality disorder. Social risk factors for drug abuse and addiction include male gender, being between the ages of 18 and 44 Native-American heritage, unmarried marital status, and lower socioeconomic status. According to statistics by state, people residing in the West tend to be at a somewhat higher risk for chemical dependency. While men are more at risk for developing a chemical dependency like alcoholism, women seem to be more vulnerable to becoming addicted to alcohol at much lower amounts of alcohol consumption compared to men.

What are warning signs that you or a loved one may have a drug use disorder?

While specific symptoms that are used to diagnose drug use disorders are described below, warning signs that you or a loved one suffer from the condition include the following:

Having blackouts or loss of memory

Mood problems like irritability, sadness, or mood swings

Repeated arguments with loved ones

Repeatedly using drugs to cope with problems

Physical symptoms when abstaining from drug use

Physical problems as a result of using drugs

Repeatedly using more drugs or using drugs for longer than intended

Spending less time on life obligations due to drug use

Needing more drug to get high than one used to

What are symptoms and signs of drug use disorder?

In order to be diagnosed with drug use disorder, a person must exhibit a maladaptive pattern of drug use that leads to significant problems or stress, as manifested by at least two of the following signs or symptoms in the same one-year period:

Recurrent substance use that prevents the sufferer from meeting significant responsibilities at work, school, or home

Recurrent drug use in situations that may be physically dangerous

Recurrent legal problems as a result of drug use

Continued drug use in spite of continued or repeated social or relationship problems as a result of, or worsened by the drug's effects

Tolerance, that is either a markedly decreased effect of the drug or a need to significantly increase the amount of the substance used in order to experience the same high or other desired effects

Withdrawal, which is defined as either physical or psychological signs or symptoms consistent with withdrawal from a specific drug, or taking that drug or one chemically close to that drug in order to avoid developing symptoms of withdrawal

Larger amounts of the drug are taken or for longer than intended.

The person has a persistent urge to take the drug or has unsuccessfully tried to decrease or control the drug use

Excessive amounts of time are spent either getting, using, or recovering from the effects of the drug

Cravings/strong urges to use the substance.

The person significantly lessens or stops engaging in important social, recreational, work, or school activities because of the substance use

The person continues to use the drug despite knowing that he or she suffers from ongoing or recurring physical or psychological problems that are caused or worsened by the use of the drug.

What happens to your brain when you take drugs?

While the specific effects of drugs on the brain can vary somewhat depending on the drug that is being used, virtually every drug that is abused has an effect on what professionals often call the executive functioning areas of the brain. The functions of those areas can be remembered by thinking about the tasks of the chief executive officer in any company: planning, organizing, prioritizing, acting when it is time to act, as well as delaying or preventing action (inhibitory functions) when appropriate. The parts of the brain that tend to harbor the executive brain functions are the front-most parts of the brain, called the frontal lobes, including the frontal cortex and prefrontal cortex. When a person takes drugs, the inhibitory functions of the brain are particularly impaired, causing the person to have trouble stopping him or herself from acting on impulses that the brain would otherwise delay or prevent. This disinhibition can lead to the substance abuser engaging in aggressive, sexual, criminal, dangerous, or other activities that can have devastating consequences for the addicted person or those around him or her. Given that the brain of individuals below about the age of 25 years is in the process of actively and rapidly developing and is therefore not fully mature, drug use that takes place during the childhood or teenage years can have particularly negative effects on the younger person's ability to perform all these essential executive functions.

How do health-care professionals diagnose drug addiction?

Similar to many mental-health diagnoses, there is no one test that definitively determines that someone has a chemical use disorder. Therefore, health-care professionals diagnose these conditions by thoroughly gathering medical, family, and mental-health information. The practitioner will also either conduct a physical examination or ask that the person's primary-care doctor perform one. The medical assessment will usually include lab tests to evaluate the person's general medical health and to explore whether or not the individual currently has drugs in their system or has a medical problem that might mimic symptoms of drug addiction.

In asking questions about mental-health symptoms, specialists are often exploring if the person suffers from depression and/or manic symptoms but also anxiety, hallucinations, or delusions, as well as some behavioral problems. Practitioners may provide the people they evaluate with a quiz or self-test as a screening tool for substance use disorders. Since some of the symptoms of chemical dependency can also occur in other mental illnesses, the screening is to determine if the individual suffers from bipolar disorder, an anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and other psychotic disorders, or a personality or behavior disorder like antisocial personality disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD), respectively. Any condition that is associated with sudden changes in behavior, mood, or thinking, like bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder, borderline personality disorder, or dissociative identity disorder (DID), may be particularly challenging to separate from some symptoms of drug use disorder. In order to assess the person's current emotional state, health-care providers perform a mental-status examination, as well.

In addition to providing treatment that is appropriate to the diagnosis, determining the history or presence of mental illnesses that may co-occur (be co-morbid) with substance abuse or dependence is important in promoting the best possible outcome for the person. As previously described, the dual diagnosis of substance abusing or addicted individuals dictates the need for treatment that addresses both issues in a coordinated way by professionals who are trained and experienced with helping this specific population.

What is the treatment for drug addiction?

An unfortunate fact about the treatment of drug addiction is that it remains largely underutilized by most sufferers. Facts about the use of drug treatment include that less than 10% of people with a milder substance-use disorder and less than 40% of those with a more entrenched substance-use disorder seek professional help. Those statistics do not seem to be associated with socioeconomic or other demographic traits but do seem to be associated with the presence of other mental-health problems (co-morbidity).

The primary goals of drug-use disorder treatment (also called recovery) are abstinence, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation. During the initial stage of abstinence, an individual who suffers from chemical dependency may need help avoiding or decreasing the effects of withdrawal. That process is called detoxification or "detox." That part of treatment is primarily performed in a hospital or other inpatient setting, where medications used to lessen withdrawal symptoms and close medical monitoring can be performed. The medications used for detox depend on the drug the person is dependent upon. For example, people with alcohol use disorder might receive medications like sedatives ( benzodiazepines) or blood pressure medications to decrease palpitations and blood pressure, or seizure medications to prevent seizures during the detoxification process.

For many substances of abuse, the detox process is the most difficult part of dealing with the physical symptoms of addiction and tends to last days to a few weeks. Medications that are sometimes used to help addicted individuals abstain from drug use on a long-term basis also depend on the specific drug of addiction. For example, individuals who are dependent on narcotics like Percodan (a combination of aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) heroin, or Vicodin, Vicodin ES, Anexsia, Lorcet, Lorcet Plus, or Norco (combinations of hydrocodone and acetaminophen) often benefit from receiving longer-acting, less addictive narcotic-like substances like methadone ( Methadose). People with alcohol addiction might try to avoid alcohol intake by taking disulfiram ( Antabuse), which produces nausea, stomach cramping, and vomiting in reaction to the person consuming alcohol.

Often, much more difficult and time-consuming than recovery from the physical aspects of drug dependency is psychological addiction. For people who may have less severe drug use disorder, the symptoms of psychological addiction may be able to be managed in an outpatient treatment program. However, those who have a more severe addiction, have relapsed after participation in outpatient programs, or who also suffer from a severe mental health condition might need the elevated level of structure, support, and monitoring provided in an inpatient drug treatment center, often called "rehab." Following such inpatient treatment, many people with this level of drug use disorder can benefit from living in a sober living community, that is, a group-home setting where counselors provide continued sobriety support, structure, and monitoring on a daily basis.

Also important in the treatment of drug dependency is helping the parents, other family members, and friends of the addicted person refrain from supporting addictive behaviors (codependency). Whether providing financial support, making excuses, or failing to acknowledge the drug seeking and other maladaptive behaviors of the addict, discouraging such codependency of loved ones is a key component of recovery. A focus on the addicted person's role in the family becomes perhaps even more significant when that person is a child or teenager, given that minors come within the context of a family in nearly every instance. Drug dependency treatment for children and adolescents is further different from that in adults by the impact of drugs on the developing brain, as well as the younger addict's tendency to need help completing their education and achieving higher education or job training compared to addicts who may have completed those parts of their lives before developing the addiction.

The treatment of dual diagnosis seems to be less effective when management of the person's mental disorder is separate from the care for his or her chemical dependency. More successful are integrated treatment approaches that include interventions for both disorders. Such interventions are all the more improved by the inclusion of assessment, intensive case management, motivational interventions, behavior interventions, family treatment, as well as services for housing, rehabilitation, and medication management.

What are complications of drug addiction?

Drug addiction puts its sufferers at risk for potentially devastating social, occupational, and medical complications. Effects of chemical dependency on families include increased risk of domestic violence. Individuals with drug use disorder are also much less likely to find and keep a job compared to people who are not drug addicted. Children of parents with a substance use disorder are at higher risk for impaired social, educational, and health functioning, as well as being at higher risk for using drugs themselves.

In addition to the many devastating social and occupational complications of drug addiction, there are many potential medical complications. From respiratory arrest associated with heroin or sedative overdose to heart attack or stroke that can be caused by cocaine or amphetamine intoxication, death is a highly possible complication of a drug use disorder. People who are dependent on drugs are also vulnerable to developing persistent medical conditions. Liver or heart failure and pancreatitis associated with alcoholism and brain damage associated with alcoholism or inhalants are just two such examples.

What is the prognosis of drug use disorder?

If treated, the prognosis of alcoholism and other drug use disorder improves but is not without challenges. Recovery from substance dependency is usually characterized by episodes of remission (abstinence from drug use) and relapse.

Is it possible to prevent drug abuse and addiction?

A number of different prevention approaches have been found to be effective in decreasing the risk of drug use disorder. Lifestyle changes, like increased physical activity and using other stress-reduction techniques, are thought to help prevent drug use disorder in teens. More formal programs have also been found to be helpful. For example, the Raising Healthy Children program, which includes interventions for teachers, parents, and students, has been found to help prevent drug addiction in elementary-school children when the program goes on for 18 months or more. The prevalence of easier access to technology has led to the development of computer-based prevention programs. Such programs have been found to be very promising in how they compare to more traditional prevention programs, as well as how many more people can be reached through technology.

Where can people get more information and help for drug use disorders?

Al-Anon-Alateen: 888-4AL-ANON

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services: 212-870-3400

American Council on Alcoholism treatment referral line: 800-527-5344

Kids Against Drugs: http://www.kidsagainstdrugs.com

Mothers Against Drunk Driving: 800-GET-MADD

Narconon: http://www.narconon.org/

Narcotics Anonymous: http://www.na.org

National Clearinghouse for Alcoholism and Drug Information: 800-729-6686

National Cocaine Hotline: 800-COCAINE (262-2463)

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: 800-NCA-CALL

National Drug Information Treatment and Referral Hotline: 800-662-HELP (4357)

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REFERENCES:

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Treatment Revision. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, Virginia: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

American Psychiatric Association. Treatment of Patients with Substance Use Disorders, Second Edition. Arlington, Virginia: American Psychiatric Association, 2006.

Brown, T.T. and A.S. Dobs. "Endocrine effects of marijuana." Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 42 (2002): 90S-96S.

Chermack, S.T., R.L. Murray, M.A. Walton, B.A. Booth, J. Wryobeck, and F.C. Blow. "Partner Aggression Among Men and Women in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Correlates of Psychological and Physical Aggression and Injury." Drug and Alcohol Dependence 98.1-2 Nov. 2008: 35-44.

Compton, W.M., Y.F. Thomas, F.S. Stinson, and B.F. Grant. "Prevalence, Correlates, Disability and Comorbidity of DSM-IV Drug Abuse and Dependence in the United States." Archives of General Psychiatry 64.5 (2007): 566-576.

Drake, R.E., and K.T. Mueser. "Psychosocial Approaches to Dual Diagnosis." Schizophrenia Bulletin 26.1 (2000): 105-118.

Drake, R.E., and M.A. Wallach. "Dual Diagnosis: 15 Years of Progress." Psychiatric Services 51 Sept. 2000: 1126-1129.

Ducci, F., M.A. Enoch, Q. Yuan, P.H. Shen, et al. "HTR3B Is Associated With Alcoholism With Antisocial Behavior and Alpha EEG-Power -- An Intermediate Phenotype for Alcoholism and Co-Morbid Behaviors." Alcohol 43.1 Feb. 2009: 73-84.

Etheridge, R.M., J.C. Smith, J.L. Rounds-Bryant, and R.L. Hubbard. "Drug Abuse Treatment and Comprehensive Services for Adolescents." Journal of Adolescent Research 16 (2001): 563-589.

Farrell, H.M. "Batterers: a review of violence and risk assessment tools." Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law 39.4 Dec. 2011: 562-574.

Farrer, S. "School-Based Program Promotes Positive Behavior, Reduces Risk Factors for Drug Use, Other Problems." National Institute of Drug Abuse 18.6 (2004).

Fillmore, M.T. "Drug Abuse as a Problem of Impaired Control: Current Approaches and Findings." Behavioral Cognitive Neuroscience Review 2 (2003): 179.

Flensborg-Madsen, T., J. Knop, E.L. Mortensen, et al. "Amount of Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Developing Alcoholism in Men and Women." Alcohol and Alcoholism 42.5 (2007): 442-447.

Friedman, R.A. "The Changing Face of Teenage Drug Abuse -- The Trend Toward Prescription Drugs." New England Journal of Medicine 354.14 Apr. 2006: 1448-1450.

Henkel, D. "Unemployment and substance use: a review of the literature (1990-2010)." Current Drug Abuse Review 4.1 Mar. 2011: 4-27.

Keena, J., P. Oliver, G. Rowsec, and N. Mathers. "Keeping families of heroin addicts together: results of 13 months' intake for community detoxification and rehabilitation at a family centre for drug users." Family Practice 17.6 (20000): 484-489.

Korhonen, T., U.M. Kujala, R.J. Rose, and J. Kaprio. "Physical Activity in Adolescence as a Predictor of Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use in Early Adulthood: A Longitudinal Population-Based Twin Study." Twin Research in Human Genetics 12.3 June 2009: 261-268.

Luty, J. "Nicotine addiction and smoking cessation treatments." Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 8 (2002): 42-48.

Morton, W.A. "Cocaine and Psychiatric Symptoms." Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Primary Care Companion 1.4 Aug. 1999: 109-113.

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. <http://www.ncadd.org>.

Schinke, S., and T. Schwinn. "Gender-Specific Computer-Based Intervention for Preventing Drug Abuse Among Girls." American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 31.4 (2005): 609-616.

Setlik, J., G.R. Bond, and M. Ho. "Adolescent Prescription ADHD Medication Abuse Is Rising Along With Prescriptions for These Medications." Pediatrics 124.3 Sept. 2009: 875-880.

United States. U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center. "National Drug Threat Assessment." February 2010. <http://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs38/38661/38661p.pdf>.

Complete List

Top Drug Abuse Related Articles

Stroke Symptoms and Treatment

A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain caused by either a blood clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic).

Symptoms of a stroke may include:

weakness,

numbness,

double vision or vision loss,

confusion,

vertigo,

difficulty speaking or understanding speech.

A physical exam, imaging tests, neurological exam, and blood tests may be used to diagnose a stroke. Treatment may include administration of clot-busting drugs, supportive care, and in some instances, neurosurgery. The risk of stroke can be reduced by controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and stopping smoking.

CONTINUE SCROLLING FOR RELATED ARTICLE

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Drug Abuse: Facts on Health Effects and Treatment

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Drug use disorder facts Drug abuse and addiction, now both grouped as drug use disorder, is a condition that is characterized by a self-destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems and distress, which may include tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance.

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 What are withdrawal and detoxification? 

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 What are withdrawal and detoxification? 

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Drug detoxification is variously the intervention in a case of physical dependence to a drug; the process and experience of a withdrawal syndrome; and any of various treatments for acute drug overdose.

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Drug Detox - Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatment Programs

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What is drug detox? What will your body feel during detox? Learn about withdrawal symptoms and the best treatments for during the detox period.

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Why do some people become addicted while other do not?

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Why do some people become addicted while other do not?

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No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. Risk for addiction is influenced by a combination of factors that include individual biology, social environment, and age or stage of development.

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Drug Addiction FAQ: Risk of Addiction | Phoenix House

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Why do some people become addicted, while others do not?

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How do i know if someone is addicted to drugs?

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How do i know if someone is addicted to drugs?

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There is many common symptoms.

1. You've built up a drug tolerance.

2. You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms.

3. You've lost control over your drug use.

4. Your life revolves around drug use.

5. You've abandoned activities you use today.

6. You continue to use drugs, despite knowing it's hurting you.

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Drug Abuse and Addiction: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction

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Do you or someone you love have a problem with substance abuse? Explore the warning signs and how to get the best help.

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Drug addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the drug addict and those around them. Drug addiction is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain.

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The Role of Family History

Addiction is due 50 percent to genetic predisposition and 50 percent to poor coping skills. This has been confirmed by numerous studies. One study looked at 861 identical twin pairs and 653 fraternal (non-identical) twin pairs. When one identical twin was addicted to alcohol, the other twin had a high probability of being addicted. But when one non-identical twin was addicted to alcohol, the other twin did not necessarily have an addiction. Based on the differences between the identical and non-identical twins, the study showed 50-60 percent of addiction is due to genetic factors.(1) Those numbers have been confirmed by other studies.(2) The other 50 percent is due to poor coping skills, such as dealing with stress or uncomfortable emotions.

The children of addicts are 8 times more likely to develop an addiction. One study looked at 231 people who were diagnosed with drug or alcohol addiction, and compared them to 61 people who did not have an addiction. Then it looked at the first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, or children) of those people. It discovered that if a parent has a drug or alcohol addiction, the child had an 8 times greater chance of developing an addiction.(3)

Why are there genes for addiction? We all have the genetic predisposition for addiction because there is an evolutionary advantage to that. When an animal eats a certain food that it likes, there is an advantage to associating pleasure with that food so that the animal will look for that food in the future. In other words the potential for addiction is hardwired into our brain. Everyone has eaten too much of their favorite food even though they knew it wasn't good for them.

Although everyone has the potential for addiction, some people are more predisposed to addiction than others. Some people drink alcoholically from the beginning. Other people start out as a moderate drinker and then become alcoholics later on. How does that happen?

Repeatedly abusing drugs or alcohol permanently rewires your brain. If you start out with a low genetic predisposition for addiction, you can still end up with an addiction. If you repeatedly abuse drugs or alcohol because of poor coping skills, then you'll permanently rewire your brain. Every time you abuse alcohol, you'll strengthen the wiring associated with drinking, and you'll chase that buzz even more. The more you chase the effect of alcohol, the greater your chance of eventually developing an addiction.

Your genes are not your destiny. The 50% of addiction that is caused by poor coping skills is where you can make a difference. Lots of people have come from addicted families but managed to overcome their family history and live happy lives. You can use this opportunity to change your life. (Reference: www.AddictionsAndRecovery.org)

What Is Your Family History?

Most people don't know their family history of addiction very well. Most families don't talk about addiction. Not too long ago you could have a raging alcoholic in your family and nobody would talk about it. Or they would make some quaint remark like, "Oh he drinks a little too much." There was so little people could do about addiction before that there was no point in talking about it.

But now that you can do something about addiction, a family history is worth talking about. Once you stop using and tell your family that you're in recovery, that's often when they will tell you about the family secrets. That's when family members will sometimes come out of the closet and tell you their stories.

Let your coping skills be the legacy you pass on to your children. Don't let your genes be the only legacy you pass on to your children. Your children are more likely to have an addiction because of your addiction. But their genes don't have to be their destiny. You can help your children lead happy lives by teaching them healthy coping skills - by being an example with your recovery.

Is Addiction a Disease?

Addiction is like most major diseases. Consider heart disease, the leading cause of death in the developed world. It's partly due to genes and partly due to poor life style choices such as bad diet, lack of exercise, and smoking. The same is true for other common diseases like adult-onset diabetes. Many forms of cancers are due to a combination of genes and life style. But if your doctor said that you had diabetes or heart disease, you wouldn't think you were bad person. You would think, "What can I do to overcome this disease?" That is how you should approach addiction.

Addiction is not a weakness. The fact that addiction crosses all socio-economic boundaries confirms that addiction is a disease. People who don't know about addiction will tell you that you just need to be stronger to control your use. But if that was true then only unsuccessful people or unmotivated people would have an addiction, and yet 10% of high-functioning executives have an addiction.

If you think of addiction as a weakness, you'll paint yourself into a corner that you can't get out of. You'll focus on being stronger and trying to control your use, instead of treating addiction like a disease and focusing on stopping your use.

Cross Addiction

You can become addicted to any drug, if you have a family history of addiction. If at least one of your family members is addicted to alcohol, you have a greater chance of developing an addiction to any other drug such as opioids, cocaine or marijuana. Cross addiction occurs because all addictions work in the same part of the brain. If your brain is wired so that you're predisposed to one addiction, then you're predisposed to all addictions.

This is especially important for women who may come from alcoholic families, but who often develop addictions that go undetected, like addictions to tranquilizers, pain relievers, or eating disorders.

One addiction can lead to other addictions, and one drug can make you relapse on another drug. That's one of the consequences of a brain that's wired for addiction. Suppose you're addicted to cocaine. If you want to stop using cocaine then you have to stop using all addictive drugs including alcohol and marijuana. You may never have had a problem with either of them, but if you continue to use alcohol or marijuana, even casually, they'll eventually lead you back to your drug of choice. Recovery requires total abstinence.

How does cross addiction cause relapse:

1. All addictions work in the same part of the brain. Addiction is addiction is addiction. Therefore one drug can lead you back to any other drug.

2. Even moderate drinking or smoking marijuana lowers your inhibitions, which makes it harder for you to make the right choices.

3. If you stop using your drug of choice but continue to use alcohol or marijuana, you're saying that you don't want to learn new coping skills and that you don't want to change your life. You're saying that you want to continue to rely on drugs or alcohol to escape, relax, and reward yourself. But if you don't learn those new skills, then you won't have changed, and your addiction will catch up with you all over again.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Addiction is no longer something that has to hidden or ashamed of. There is treatment and hope. Many people have reached for addiction treatment and have changed their lives. There are many addiction treatment options including self-help groups and out-patient or in-patient addiction rehab.

You have already taken the first step towards addiction treatment. You have asked the question, "Do I have an addiction?" Take the next step and change your life. Ask for help, learn addiction recovery skills, develop relapse prevention skills so that you don't have to continue to suffer.

References

1) Prescott, C. A., & Kendler, K. S., Genetic and environmental contributions to alcohol abuse and dependence in a population-based sample of male twins. Am J Psychiatry, 1999. 156(1): p. 34-40.
2) Enoch, M. A., & Goldman, D., The genetics of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Curr Psychiatry Rep, 2001. 3(2): p. 144-51.
3) Merikangas, K. R., Stolar, M., Stevens, D. E., Goulet, J., et al., Familial transmission of substance use disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1998. 55(11): p. 973-9.

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is addiction a disease or a bad habit? the effect of genetics and family history. the importance of twin studies. children of alcoholics and addicts.

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Dr. Steven Melemis, I Want to Change My Life

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The Genetics of Addiction - Is Addiction a Disease?

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Addiction is due 50 percent to genetic predisposition and 50 percent to poor coping skills. This has been confirmed by numerous studies. One study looked at 861 identical twin pairs and 653 fraternal (non-identical) twin pairs. When one identical twin was addicted to alcohol, the other twin had a high probability of being addicted.

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Drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so.

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Introducing the Human Brain

The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. This three-pound mass of gray and white matter sits at the center of all human activity-you need it to drive a car, to enjoy a meal, to breathe, to create an artistic masterpiece, and to enjoy everyday activities. The brain regulates your body's basic functions, enables you to interpret and respond to everything you experience, and shapes your behavior. In short, your brain is you -everything you think and feel, and who you are.

How does the brain work?

The brain is often likened to an incredibly complex and intricate computer. Instead of electrical circuits on the silicon chips that control our electronic devices, the brain consists of billions of cells, called neurons, which are organized into circuits and networks. Each neuron acts as a switch controlling the flow of information. If a neuron receives enough signals from other neurons connected to it, it "fires," sending its own signal on to other neurons in the circuit.

The brain is made up of many parts with interconnected circuits that all work together as a team. Different brain circuits are responsible for coordinating and performing specific functions. Networks of neurons send signals back and forth to each other and among different parts of the brain, the spinal cord, and nerves in the rest of the body (the peripheral nervous system).

To send a message, a neuron releases a neurotransmitter into the gap (or synapse) between it and the next cell. The neurotransmitter crosses the synapse and attaches to receptors on the receiving neuron, like a key into a lock. This causes changes in the receiving cell. Other molecules called transporters recycle neurotransmitters (that is, bring them back into the neuron that released them), thereby limiting or shutting off the signal between neurons.

How do drugs work in the brain?

Drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and process signals via neurotransmitters. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter in the body. This allows the drugs to attach onto and activate the neurons. Although these drugs mimic the brain's own chemicals, they don't activate neurons in the same way as a natural neurotransmitter, and they lead to abnormal messages being sent through the network.

Other drugs, such as amphetamine or cocaine, can cause the neurons to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals by interfering with transporters. This too amplifies or disrupts the normal communication between neurons.

What parts of the brain are affected by drug use?

Drugs can alter important brain areas that are necessary for life-sustaining functions and can drive the compulsive drug use that marks addiction. Brain areas affected by drug use include:

The basal ganglia, which play an important role in positive forms of motivation, including the pleasurable effects of healthy activities like eating, socializing, and sex, and are also involved in the formation of habits and routines. These areas form a key node of what is sometimes called the brain's "reward circuit." Drugs over-activate this circuit, producing the euphoria of the drug high; but with repeated exposure, the circuit adapts to the presence of the drug, diminishing its sensitivity and making it hard to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug.

The extended amygdala plays a role in stressful feelings like anxiety, irritability, and unease, which characterize withdrawal after the drug high fades and thus motivates the person to seek the drug again. This circuit becomes increasingly sensitive with increased drug use. Over time, a person with substance use disorder uses drugs to get temporary relief from this discomfort rather than to get high.

The prefrontal cortex powers the ability to think, plan, solve problems, make decisions, and exert self-control over impulses. This is also the last part of the brain to mature, making teens most vulnerable. Shifting balance between this circuit and the reward and stress circuits of the basal ganglia and extended amygdala make a person with a substance use disorder seek the drug compulsively with reduced impulse control.

Some drugs like opioids also affect other parts of the brain, such as the brain stem, which controls basic functions critical to life, such as heart rate, breathing, and sleeping explaining why overdoses can cause depressed breathing and death.

How do drugs produce pleasure?

Pleasure or euphoria-the high from drugs-is still poorly understood, but probably involves surges of chemical signaling compounds including the body's natural opioids (endorphins) and other neurotransmitters in parts of the basal ganglia (the reward circuit). When some drugs are taken, they can cause surges of these neurotransmitters much greater than the smaller bursts naturally produced in association with healthy rewards like eating, music, creative pursuits, or social interaction.

It was once thought that surges of the neurotransmitter dopamine produced by drugs directly caused the euphoria, but scientists now think dopamine has more to do with getting us to repeat pleasurable activities (reinforcement) than with producing pleasure directly.

How does dopamine reinforce drug use?

Our brains are wired to increase the odds that we will repeat pleasurable activities. The neurotransmitter dopamine is central to this. Whenever the reward circuit is activated by a healthy,

pleasurable experience, a burst of dopamine signals that something important is happening that needs to be remembered. This dopamine signal causes changes in neural connectivity that make it easier to repeat the activity again and again without thinking about it, leading to the formation of habits.

Just as drugs produce intense euphoria, they also produce much larger surges of dopamine, powerfully reinforcing the connection between consumption of the drug, the resulting pleasure, and all the external cues linked to the experience. Large surges of dopamine "teach" the brain to seek drugs at the expense of other, healthier goals and activities.

Simple activities in everyday life can produce small bursts of neurotransmitters in the brain bringing pleasurable feelings. Drugs can hijack that process.

Cues in a person's daily routine or environment that have become linked with drug use because of changes to the reward circuit can trigger uncontrollable cravings whenever the person is exposed to these cues, even if the drug itself is not available. This learned "reflex" can last a long time, even in people who haven't used drugs in many years. For example, people who have been drug free for a decade can experience cravings when returning to an old neighborhood or house where they used drugs. Like riding a bike, the brain remembers.

Why are drugs more addictive than natural rewards?

For the brain, the difference between normal rewards and drug rewards can be likened to the difference between someone whispering into your ear and someone shouting into a microphone. Just as we turn down the volume on a radio that is too loud, the brain of someone who misuses drugs adjusts by producing fewer neurotransmitters in the reward circuit, or by reducing the number of receptors that can receive signals. As a result, the person's ability to experience pleasure from naturally rewarding (i.e., reinforcing) activities is also reduced.

This is why a person who misuses drugs eventually feels flat, without motivation, lifeless, and/or depressed, and is unable to enjoy things that were previously pleasurable. Now, the person needs to keep taking drugs to experience even a normal level of reward-which only makes the problem worse, like a vicious cycle. Also, the person will often need to take larger amounts of the drug to produce the familiar high-an effect known as tolerance.

Long-term drug use impairs brain functioning.

For more information on drugs and the brain, order NIDA's Teaching Packets or the Mind Matters series at www.drugabuse.gov/parent-teacher.html. These items and others are available to the public free of charge.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Introducing the Human Brain The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. This three-pound mass of gray and white matter sits at the center of all human activity-you need it to drive a car, to enjoy a meal, to breathe, to create an artistic masterpiece, and to enjoy everyday activities.

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It is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or strong will.

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Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

What Is drug addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease-people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.

It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn't work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient's changing needs.

Image by NIDA The brain's reward circuit

What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?

Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit" by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This reward system controls the body's ability to feel pleasure and motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable "high" that can lead people to take a drug again and again.

As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine by making less of it and/or reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high. It can also cause them to get less pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food or social activities.

Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:

Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.

Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don't?

No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.

Environment. A person's environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person's likelihood of drug use and addiction.

Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person's life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.

Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?

As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn't a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient's drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Points to Remember

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.

Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment.

Most drugs affect the brain's reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable "high" that leads people to take a drug again and again.

Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.

No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.

Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Learn more

For information about understanding drug use and addiction, visit:

For more information about the costs of drug abuse to the United States, visit:

For more information about prevention, visit:

For more information about treatment, visit:

To find a publicly funded treatment center in your state, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit:

This publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from the NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated, using the following language: Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will.

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Where can I learn more about the science of drug addiction? 

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Where can I learn more about the science of drug addiction? 

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You could learn about drug addiction at http://www.drugabuse.gov/

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What are the costs of substance abuse to society?

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What are the costs of substance abuse to society?

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Total costs of drug abuse and addiction due to use of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs is estimated at $524 billion a year.

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Marijuana, Alcohol, Cocaine, Meth, Heroin, and Tobacco.

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Although it is impossible to measure the extent of drug use, drug use is everywhere. From bathrooms and refrigerators to cars and street corners, alcohol and drug use touch every part of our culture. Recent national data* from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a reliable estimate of which drugs people are using the most.

Alcohol

With over half (52.5%) of U.S. population identified as drinkers, alcohol is the #1 abused substance in America. An estimated 135.5 million people drink alcohol, but of those people, 86 million are considered to be abusers, which include heavy drinking, binge drinking and underage drinking. Twenty-three percent of the population participates in binge drinking (59.7 million) and 6.5% of the population reported heavy drinking (17.0 million). An estimated 81.4% of people who drank alcohol for the first time were younger than age 21 at the time they started drinking, and 9.3 million underage people aged 12 to 20 were current drinkers.

Tobacco

In 2012, an estimated 69.5 million Americans over age 12 were current users of a tobacco product. Across age groups, current cigarette use was highest among people aged 21 to 25. Among youths aged 12 to 17 who smoked cigarettes in the past month, over half (54.6) percent also used an illicit drug, compared with 6.4 percent of youths who did not smoke cigarettes.
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Marijuana

In 2012, marijuana was the most commonly used federally illicit drug, with 18.9 million users, although several states have already legalized it. Seventy-nine percent of all current illicit drug users use marijuana, and marijuana remains the most popular illicit drug among high school students. Of the 7.3 million persons classified with illicit drug dependence or abuse, over half (4.3 million) had marijuana dependence or abuse.
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Prescription Drugs

In 2012, 2.4 million people used prescription drugs non-medically for the first time within the past year-nearly 6,700 initiates per day. Painkillers containing hydrocodone, such as Vicodin, and painkillers containing oxycodone, such as Percocet and Oxycontin, are the top most abused medicines in the United States.
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Benzos

Sedatives like benzodiazepines and tranquilizers like barbiturates are central nervous system depressants that work similarly to alcohol. Benzodiazepines such as Lorazepam (Ativan) and Alprazolam (Xanax) are the most commonly prescribed depressants. In 2012, the vast majority (i.e. 2.1 million) of the 2.4 million users came from nonmedical users of benzodiazepines.
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Cocaine

Nearly 1.6 million people in America are current users of this powerful central nervous stimulant and 1.1 million are dependent on cocaine. In 2012, there were 639,000 persons aged 12 or older who had used cocaine for the first time, approximately 1,800 initiates per day. Although the estimates are slightly higher than the number and rate in 2011, they were lower than in 2003 to 2007.
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Stimulants

Stimulant prescription drugs such as Ritalin and Aderall are typically prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. Since they are made from powerful stimulants like amphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall) or methlphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), prescription stimulants have a high potential for abuse. With 1.2 million current nonmedical users in 2012, prescription stimulants are now the third most abused class of prescription drugs in the nation.
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Hallucinogen Drugs

Hallucinogen drugs include LSD, PCP, peyote, mescaline, psilocybin mushrooms, and Ecstasy (MDMA). In 2012, there were 1.1 million people who used hallucinogens. Ecstasy, LSD, and PCP were the most popular hallucinogens respectively, with 869,000 first time users of Ecstasy, 421,000 for LSD and 90,000 for PCP in the past year.

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Heroin

Heroin use, the King of Narcotics and the most addictive substance in the world, has increased to 669,000 users in 2012. About 335,000 people used heroin in the month prior to the survey, and about 267,000 users were dependent on heroin, which is approximately twice the number in 2002 (214,000).
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Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug with a high that can last 40 times longer than the effects of cocaine. With the average first time meth user being 19 years old, meth is most pervasive among young adults. About 133,000 people used methamphetamine for the first time in 2012. About 440,000 people are current users of methamphetamine, which is a significant decrease from 2006.
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Conclusion

The rate of drug abuse is constantly changing; the numbers are never static. Thousands of people abuse drugs every day, but thousands of people are recovering as well.

In the past year, four million people received treatment for a problem related to the use of alcohol or illicit drugs. Although addiction is a powerful disease, treatment does work and recovery is possible. Outside of these commonly abused drugs, there are hundreds of substances being abused. These individuals will need to seek treatment for the substance abuse.

About Duffy's

Located in California, Duffy's Napa Valley Rehab is a premier treatment facility in Northern California dedicated to helping others find freedom from addiction and drug abuse. Since our founding in 1968, we have helped over 40,000 find hope and recovery, and we would count it a privilege to help you.

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Opioids, Prescription Drugs, Research and Policies

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Top 10 Most Commonly Abused Drugs and Their Effects - duffys

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Update: the content in this blog has been modified as of January 2018 to reflect the most recent national survey.* Although it is impossible to measure the extent of drug use, drug use is everywhere. From bathrooms and refrigerators to cars and street corners, alcohol and drug use touch every part of our culture.