What Is Drug Addiction

Most drug use starts as a recreational usage and develops into addiction over time.
This is because the drugs change the brain’s chemistry over time, and it leaves you
craving the substance. When you think of drug addiction, you break it into two
categories: prescription drug addiction and illegal drug addiction.
This page covers the illegal drug addiction. As with both types of drug addiction,
there is a progression in usage that turns you from a casual drug user to an addict.
Here are the steps in the progression:
 Step One: After you’ve been using your drug of choice for a while, you’ll
notice that you need more and more of it to get the same high as you did
when you first started using. This is because you’ve built a tolerance to it.
 Step Two: During the second step, the body begins to develop a dependence
on the drug. If you attempt to stop the drug usage cold, you will experience
withdrawal symptoms.
 Step Three: Psychological dependence occurs in the final step. Not only is
your body craving the drugs, but your brain is also. At this final step, your
doctor will diagnose you with a drug addiction and not just a casual user.
If you think that you or someone you love has a drug addiction, then they need to
seek immediate treatment. The quicker you begin treatment means the more
quickly you can reclaim your life and move forward.
A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an
organism's physiology or psychology when consumed.[1][2] Drugs are typically
distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support.
Consumption of drugs can be
via inhalation, injection, smoking, ingestion, absorption via a patch on the
skin, suppository, or dissolution under the tongue.
In pharmacology, a drug is a chemical substance, typically of known structure,
which, when administered to a living organism, produces a biological effect.
[3]
A pharmaceutical drug, also called a medication or medicine, is a chemical
substance used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose a disease or to promote well-
being.[1] Traditionally drugs were obtained through extraction from medicinal
plants, but more recently also by organic synthesis.[4] Pharmaceutical drugs may be
used for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.[5]
Pharmaceutical drugs are often classified into drug classes—groups of related
drugs that have similar chemical structures, the same mechanism of action (binding
to the same biological target), a related mode of action, and that are used to treat
the same disease.[6][7] The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification
System (ATC), the most widely used drug classification system, assigns drugs a
unique ATC code, which is an alphanumeric code that assigns it to specific drug
classes within the ATC system. Another major classification system is
the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. This classifies drugs according to
their solubility and permeability or absorption properties.[8]
Psychoactive drugs are substances that affect the function of the central nervous
system, altering perception, mood or consciousness.[9] These drugs are divided into
different groups
like: stimulants, depressants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics,
and hallucinogens. These psychoactive drugs have been proven useful in treating
wide range of medical conditions including mental disorders around the world. The
most widely used drugs in the world include caffeine, nicotine and alcohol,
[10]
which are also considered recreational drugs, since they are used for pleasure
rather than medicinal purposes.[11] All drugs can have potential side effects.
[12]
Abuse of several psychoactive drugs can cause addiction and/or physical
dependence.[13] Excessive use of stimulants can promote stimulant psychosis. Many
recreational drugs are illicit and international treaties such as the Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs exist for the purpose of their prohibition.

Symptoms of Drug Addiction

In the early stages, drug addicts are masters at hiding the depth of their addictions.
They might display only a couple of warning signs, or they may show a large
combination of symptoms, including:
 Abnormal pupil size
 Significant weight loss or gain
 Unexpected legal trouble
 Paranoia
 Poor or unkempt personal appearance
 Abnormal sleep patterns
 Placing distance between themselves and family and friends
 Impairment
 Changes in appetite
 Sudden mood swings
 Changes in personality
 Anxiousness
 Secretive behavior
 Getting in physical fights with others

5 Ways to Prevent Drug Addiction

1. Communicate
Before seeking therapy, it's important to help someone on the verge of becoming
an addict realize the type of behavior being displayed is dangerous. Many addicts
don't believe what they are doing is wrong. Often, they use drugs as a way to solve
a problem, such as the ones described above. Other, they use drugs because it's
give them a high.
In order to help someone, they must first accept their drug dependency is a
problem. Remember to stay cool, resist the urge to judge and be honest with them.
You want them to feel comfortable opening up to you.
2. Seek therapy
There are five stages of drug abuse. People will first begin to experiment with a
drug before they regularly use it. Help someone before they become an abuser.
First talk with the addict and help them understand that recreational use can turn
into dependency. Then, help them recognize that therapy is the best form of
treatment.
The type of treatment a person receives depends on their needs and problems. A
quality healthcare professional will not only treat underlying problems, but explain
the dangers of leisure drug use and that they don't solve mental issues, only
manage its symptoms.
3. Maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle
Part of therapy includes helping addicts understand there are alternative ways to
solve issues. For example, instead of turning to drugs to manage depression, a
professional can help an addict replace drug usage with passions like sports or art.
By focusing more on their hobbies, an addict is less likely to jeopardize their life or
other's by using illegal substances.
4. Deal with pressure
Along with replacing drug addiction with hobbies, a professional should help
eliminate stress. This is important because stress could be not only one of the
reasons they became an addict, but also a factor that would cause them to relapse.
Research has indicated that stress often causes the brain to change, similar to
changes seen by addictive drugs. This suggests that people who are stressed may
be more prone to become drug abusers or relapse. Further, the study proposes
addicts are much more sensitive to becoming stressed.
A few ways to help reduce stress include exercising, reading a book, volunteering
or taking up a relaxing art like painting.
5. Look into the past
According to a study, 40 to 60 percent of the risk for developing an addiction is
due to genetics. Other studies have pointed out that the risk may be higher for
strong substances such as nicotine or cocaine. If a close relative, such as a parent,
has had drug abuse problems, their son or daughter is also a high risk candidate to
develop similar health issues.
If you know a person who is struggling with substance abuse during National
Recovery Month, call Fairwinds Treatment Center. Founded 25 years ago by Dr.
M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef, our staff of full-time psychiatrist, nursing professionals
and licensed therapists uses a Dual Diagnosis method to treat patients with
alcoholism and other addictions.
Dual Diagnosis combines clinical treatment and therapeutic counseling to identify
the underlying reasons for addiction and resolve the psychological triggers to
prevent relapse.

Dual Diagnosis
For many people suffering from drug addiction, there is an underlying cause. This
underlying cause is why they became addicted to drugs while their friends continue
to use recreationally. During drug addiction treatment, your therapist and
counselors will treat both the drug addiction and the underlying cause also known
as a dual diagnosis. Many times, the dual diagnosis is a mental health issue and can
include:
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Personal trauma
 Obsessive compulsive disorder
 Bipolar disorder
 Eating Disorders

Drug Addiction Treatment Process

When you can no longer ignore the signs and side effects of drug addiction, you
know it’s time to seek professional treatment. This can be a scary time, because
you don’t know what is going to happen. Here’s a look at the treatment process to
help you understand what you or a loved one is facing when seeking treatment.
 Detox: The first step in any drug addiction treatment is to detox or stop
taking drugs. Once you stop taking the drugs, you may experience
withdrawal symptoms for a few days while your body rids itself of any
residual amounts of the drugs.
 Management of Withdrawal symptoms: Some of the withdrawal
symptoms can be serious. They can include things, such as seizures and
hallucinations. During withdrawal, a team of doctors and nurses will watch
over your progress and provide medication as needed.
 Therapy: Once your body is clean of the drugs, it’s time to do the work to
ensure that you won’t relapse. During this phase, you’ll examine the
behaviors that led to your drug abuse and new ways of coping with everyday
situations.

Levels of Treatment for Drug Addiction

At Fairwinds Treatment Center, we break care into five levels. Each level of care is
designed to help you heal and overcome your drug addiction. The assignment to a
particular level of care comes from your overall health, outside support system,
and your motivation to stay away from illicit drugs. Here’s a look at the five levels
of care.
 Level One Outpatient: At this level, there is a great deal of motivation on
your part to stay clean, and you’re generally in good health. You can live at
home while you seek treatment during the day.
 Level Two Intensive Outpatient: While patients at this level don’t require
around the clock care, you don’t need a little more structure and supervision.
You can remain at home because your health is generally good, and you’re
able to care for yourself.
 Level Three Partial Hospitalization / Day & Night Treatment: At this
level, you still need full-time care, and you’re medically stable because you
have a compulsion to return to drug usage.
 Level Four Residential Treatment: To stay clean, patients at level four
need constant supervision. They’re very likely to use drugs again if left by
themselves.
 Level Five Inpatient Treatment: Level five patients need the most
supervision and structure to overcome their addiction. Some of these patients
may be experiencing health issues from prolonged drug use.

Drug Addiction Center Professionals

During your stay or course of treatments, you’ll meet and interact with a variety of
professional staff members at the Fairwinds Treatment Center. Each person you
meet with and encounter has your best interest at heart and wants to help you
become successful in your recovery. This includes:
 Psychiatrists
 Nurses
 Counselors
 Physicians
 Nutritionists

Levels of Treatment for Drug Addiction

At Fairwinds Treatment Center, we break care into five levels. Each level of care is
designed to help you heal and overcome your drug addiction. The assignment to a
particular level of care comes from your overall health, outside support system,
and your motivation to stay away from illicit drugs. Here’s a look at the five levels
of care.
 Level One Outpatient: At this level, there is a great deal of motivation on
your part to stay clean, and you’re generally in good health. You can live at
home while you seek treatment during the day.
 Level Two Intensive Outpatient: While patients at this level don’t require
around the clock care, you don’t need a little more structure and supervision.
You can remain at home because your health is generally good, and you’re
able to care for yourself.
 Level Three Partial Hospitalization / Day & Night Treatment: At this
level, you still need full-time care, and you’re medically stable because you
have a compulsion to return to drug usage.
 Level Four Residential Treatment: To stay clean, patients at level four
need constant supervision. They’re very likely to use drugs again if left by
themselves.
 Level Five Inpatient Treatment: Level five patients need the most
supervision and structure to overcome their addiction. Some of these patients
may be experiencing health issues from prolonged drug use.