Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.
Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines or receive them from others who have prescriptions. The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug, by person and situation. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk of addiction and cause addiction more quickly than others.
As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it’s increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill. These are called withdrawal symptoms. Can-Am would like to bring awareness to this dire issue and to offer assistance to those needing help. Help from family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program such as Can-Am Interventions can help you overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.
Symptoms of drug addiction
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:
- Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
- Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
- Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
- Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
- Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
- Spending money on the drug, even though you can’t afford it
- Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
- Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it’s causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
- Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing
- Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re under the influence of the drug
- Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug
- Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug
Recognizing drug abuse in family members
Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish normal moodiness or anxiety from signs of drug use.
Possible signs that someone in your family is using drugs may include:
- Problems at school or work — frequently missing school or work, a sudden disinterest in school activities or work, or a drop in grades or work performance
- Physical health issues — lack of energy and motivation, weight loss or gain, or red eyes
- Neglected appearance — lack of interest in clothing, grooming or looks
- Changes in behavior — major efforts to bar family members from entering the teenager’s room or being secretive about going out with friends; or drastic changes in behavior and in relationships with family and friends
- Money issues — sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation; or your discovery that money is missing or has been stolen or that items have disappeared from your home, indicating maybe they’re being sold to support drug use
Help?
Drug abuse/addiction is a very common problem. We see all walks of life encounter these issues. Some people go almost their entire adult lives without ever having a desire to use drugs let alone have a problem with them. We don’t always know what people are going through or what traumas they suffer privately. It is safe to assume that any one of us can develop a drug abuse addiction. Can-Am Interventions would like to extend an invitation to those who may be struggling or to those who are close to someone that is struggling. We are here to provide council, treatment and guidance for all who is involved, not only to the addict but also to family, friends, co-workers and anyone else who is in close proximity to this serious issue. If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, please reach out to us. We are here to help and to provide clarity on any concerns that you may have. We look forward at the opportunity to help.
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