Drug Addiction - Utah

What is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction, also know as drug abuse, is the repeated or excessive use chemical substances to achieve a certain effect. Many of these substance are illegal due to their highly addictive qualities. Also these drugs may be prescriptions that are commonly used for pleasure rather than medical use.

Each drug has its own effect. Drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine can create a rush like feeling giving the user a sense of energy. On the other hand drugs like heroin or oxycotin give the opposite effect and the user will gain a sense of calmness.

The common theme amongst all addictive drugs are their over stimulus of the brain in the pleasure center. Over time this will eventually alter the brain and will cause an uncomfortable feeling when the drug is not used regularly.

What Causes Drug Addiction?

Unfortunately there is not one common attribute that causes addiction, however we do know of some of the contributing factors. Some of these factors are the inability to get help for mental or physical issues, a family history of addiction can also make you at higher risk for addiction, peer pressure is a common one amongst the younger age kids, and a family history of mental illness can also be a contributing factor to addiction.

What are the signs of Addiction?

Remember that each drug affects the body differently but the common symptoms should be obvious. If someone is using a drug like cocaine or meth they can have a hard time sleeping and go through cycles of increased energy. With other drugs like heroin or oxycotin the person may become abnormally slow or possible disorientation and cycles of excessive sleep. Also a change in clothing can be obvious; someone who never wears long sleeved shirts now consistently wearing them may be trying to hide scars from injections. Any type of drug that is injected through the nose can cause consistent nose bleeds or sinus problems. Drugs that may be taken through a smoking approach will most likely cause a consistent cough or bronchitis or coughing up an excessive amount flem. Sudden weight loss or weight gain can also be an obvious factor to notice, that can be related to drug addiction.

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