Drug Use, Abuse and Addiction

• The harmful use of drugs for non-medical reasons is drug abuse.
• Many of the drugs people abuse are illegal. But prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can also be abused.
• Drug abuse can lead to drug addiction. Drug abuse and addiction can cause health, career, legal, and social problems.
• People with a drug addiction can be treated. They may need help to do this. Detox followed by 12-step programs can help a person to recover.

Types of Drugs

• Anabolic Steroids. Some people use these drugs to increase their strength or muscle size. People may take these drugs to do better in sports. However, steroids have bad side effects. Steroids can cause strange behavior, delusions or anger. They can also cause heart and liver damage.
• Club Drugs. These drugs are often used at night clubs or parties. They act like a stimulant. A well-known example is Ecstasy (MDMA). Users feel a sense of great self-confidence and energy. The drugs can allow users to dance for hours. This can lead to severe dehydration and over-heating. After using these drugs people can feel anxious and depressed.
• Dextromethorphan (DM) is found in OTC cough medicines. It can cause hallucinations (when a user sees or hears things that are not really there). It can make a person feel confused, agitated, and excited. Abuse can lead to coma and death.
• Hallucinogens (LSD, mescaline). These drugs can make a person see or hear things that are not really there. They can cause strange visions and changes in perception.
• Inhalants. Fumes of some household products are inhaled because of their mind changing effects. Users may feel giddy or happy. These fumes can alter the user's normal heartbeat. The heart can speed up or get out of rhythm. This can cause heart damage, or even sudden death. Inhalants include glue, gas, butane, White-Out, and air fresheners.
• Marijuana (cannabis) is the most widely used drug. It is now legal to use in many states; illegal in others. It is much stronger than it was in the 1960s/1970s. It causes users to feel happy or mellow and sleepy. In higher doses it can cause paranoia and delusions. A user can hear or see things that are not really there.
• Narcotics. Another name for this class of drugs is opiates. They are addictive. Examples include heroin, morphine, codeine, pentazocine, and methadone. Narcotics can make a person feel calm and "high." Overdose can cause breathing to slow or stop. This will cause coma or death. A person will not die from opiate withdrawal. However, it is very unpleasant. It can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle cramps.
• Sedative-hypnotics. These drugs are used by doctors to treat anxiety and stress. They are also used to help people sleep. Two examples of these drugs are Ativan (lorazepam) and Valium (diazepam). Overuse of these drugs can lead to addiction. Overdose can cause coma.
• Stimulants. These drugs include amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine. Some stimulants are called "uppers" because they can make a person feel excited and "high." These drugs can also cause hyper-activity, paranoia, and anxiety. They are addictive. Abuse can lead to stroke and heart damage. It can cause coma and death.

When to Call for Drug Use and Abuse

Care Advice

What You Should Know about Drug Addiction or Substance Use:

• Drugs are often used for enjoyment rather than to treat a medical problem. What starts as use once-in-awhile may lead to drug addiction. You may find it hard to control your use of the drug(s).
• Alcohol, nicotine and marijuana all fall into this category. Alcohol abuse is covered in its own care guide.
• Prescription meds can also be abused, or over-used, and lead to addiction.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Drug Abuse and Addiction

• Use of drugs in a social setting, to achieve a high or buzz, may lead to using them more often and addiction.
• There are many reasons people try drugs, such as:
• Their friends use them and they might feel pressure to try them as well
• Wanting an escape from something in their lives, such as stress or past trauma
• Wanting to feel more relaxed, confident or to forget worries
• Because they like the effect
• All drugs can have dangerous effects. Other dangerous substances may be mixed into the drug.
• Any dose could be an overdose and be fatal.
• The time it takes to become addicted depends on the drug. Opioids (used for severe pain) can cause addiction very quickly.
• Over a period of time, a person may need more of the drug to get the same 'high.'
• Symptoms of addiction vary based upon the drug used, but include:
• A craving to use the drug regularly. Over time needing more drugs to get the same effect.
• Being unable to stop using the drugs.
• Withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop.

Withdrawal Symptoms

• Withdrawal symptoms last for days, weeks and even months depending on the severity and length of time the person has been addicted. They include:
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Seizures
• Trouble sleeping
• Flu-like symptoms: nausea and diarrhea
• Muscle cramps/body aches
• Excessive sweating. Hot and cold flashes.
• Physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms can be intense. Without the right support, the person may not be able to resist going back to taking drugs.

Denial

• Many people who abuse drugs deny that they have a problem. They act like they can cope and tell themselves they can stop at any time.
• The most important step is to accept the fact that you have a problem.
• Contact your doctor or a counselor for help to stop taking drugs.

Drug Use in Pregnancy:

• Drugs you take reach your unborn baby via the placenta from your blood.
• A unborn baby cannot process the drugs very well, so any drugs in your system stay in their system even longer.
• The risks to the baby are:
• Premature birth or low birth weight
• Learning, behavior and thinking problems as the baby grows
• Defects of heart and other organs
• Withdrawal symptoms in the baby
• Do not use drugs at any stage of your pregnancy. Having a healthy baby should be a good reason for you to stop.
• Detox help is available. See your doctor and ask for help.

Seek Help

• It may be hard to accept that you are dependent on, or addicted to, drugs.
• You are likely to get withdrawal symptoms if you stop quickly.
• If you are trying to cut down:
• Ask for support from someone
• Cut back on activities that involve drugs or events with others who use drugs
• Avoid alcohol as it may weaken your resolve to avoid the drugs.
• Some people find help by reading self-help books or websites.
• Talking therapies and detox support groups may help you. Ask for help from your doctor.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle:

• Exercise can help. Start slowly for short periods and build up intensity and time.
• Eat a healthy diet. Your doctor will be able to advise you on a healthy eating plan and where to find advice from other sources.
• Limit alcohol
• Get regular sleep. Most people do well with at least 7 hours per night.
• Learn other means to manage stress. Learn to say, "No." Be realistic about what you can achieve.

What to Expect:

• Many people who stop using drugs go back to using them again at some point. Support groups or counselling can make this less likely.
• You should avoid drugs for life. Work on a healthier lifestyle and your physical and mental health will improve.
• Be patient. It takes time for the lifestyle changes you make to make a difference.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You notice signs of drug dependence
• You suffer from withdrawal symptoms
• You want help to detox and quit
• You think you need to be seen
• You get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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