Drug abuse and drug addiction are two major burdens to society. However the terms "drug abuse" and "drug addiction" are often used interchangeably, but in fact, denote very different conditions. The term "drug abuse" refers to the use of a substance in a manner that deviates from the culturally acceptable norms, while the term "drug addiction" describes a disorder where the drug appears to be the dominant influence on the individual’s behavior. Addiction occurs when an individual crosses the line separating drug abuse from a physical dependency on drugs. This is usually characterized by compulsively seeking to use a substance regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological, and physical consequences. Drug addiction makes drug use a compelling need, not a casual choice.

Drug addiction is said to be a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. The path to drug addiction begins with that first act of taking drugs. Over time, a person may need more of the drug to get the same effect. The changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person’s self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs.

Drug addiction is a complex but treatable disease but it is generally difficult to cure a drug addict completely, especially without a proper drug rehabilitation (often drug rehab or just rehab) program. It is also not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again if the treatment is not properly administered. Medication is important, but so is behavioral therapy as well. Therefore the ultimate goal of any drug rehab treatment is to enable an individual to achieve lasting abstinence, but the immediate goals are to reduce drug abuse, improve the patient’s ability to function, and minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse and addiction.

Drug rehab treatments are multi phased with both short and long term procedures. The different types of programs offer help in drug rehab, including: residential treatment (in-patient), out-patient, local support groups, extended care centers, and recovery or sober houses. Sober living creates a real life environment that is less structured than a treatment center. The individual is given the opportunity to build up their confidence and learn a sense of stability and good orderly direction.

Drug rehabs are a huge help for the addicted persons and their families. People should spend some time while choosing a drug rehabilitation center which has experienced staff and offer licensed residential treatment services. A 12-step treatment program is generally followed at most rehabs, though some places might have other forms of treatment other than the 12 step program. A twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems.

Pornography addicts have a more difficult time recovering from their addiction than cocaine addicts , since coke users can get the drug out of their system, but pornographic images stay in the brain forever, Layden said. … Therapy of Homosexuality echoed Layden’s concern about the internet and the somatic effects of pornography. “Pornography really does, unlike other addictions , biologically cause direct release of the most perfect addictive substance,” Satinover said

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Good OldTimers: Internet pornography is the new crack cocaine

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Alcohol addiction may be present when one is seen as sweating, nauseous, shaky, or mentally unstable when not able to obtain an intoxicating liquid substance. The more one drinks the higher doses will be needed for someone addicted to feel that ‘high’, or ‘buzz’. Drinking can potentially ruin your families, friends, and your own life. Drinking is a risk which you must be able to keep under control and moderate from time to time. Many health problems are associated with excessive alcohol consumption such as cancer, heart disease, brain damage, and liver disease. Excessive consumption of alcohol leads to brain cell loss, and may disturb brain processes necessary to retrieve and process normal day thoughts and information. Large consumption may cut off or shorten the oxygen supply and cause a blackout. Abusers may suffer from bone weakness and immune deficiencies. Most victims of alcohol are very defensive about their habits. They hate hearing anything pertaining to it, and most of all they try so hard to convince themselves that there is absolutely nothing wrong with what kind of habit their falling into. In fact, many victims are very secretive about their drunken nature that they regularly disguise their appearance and interactions with others. Psychological and physical harm is being done every second they are not looking for a solution to settle the addiction.

Alcohol withdrawal, or an abrupt stop of alcohol consumption can completely remove a balance of alcohol which replaced a once present neuroinhibitor syncope. Both are now gone and the body may act uncontrollably, resulting in many synapses. This may lead to hallucinations, convulsions, heart failure, seizures; all of which is known as the ‘jitterbugs’. ‘Jitterbugs is known as an acute episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol, first described in 1813′. Treatment is quite varied as there are many different perspectives for the condition. A common treatment however, would be to discontinue ones alcohol supply while reinstating social connections to keep there mind intact and on track. After alcohol consumption has been discontinued psychological interferences can be dealt with by attending ‘group sessions’ and or psychotherapy. Another way one might face the issue is to take medication to ease the issue into complete sobriety. As a side note, you want to be sure to keep your metabolic system intact in order to eliminate unstable behavior, which is preventable.

A New Zealand study concluded that your risk of major depression increases steadily as a result of alcohol consumption, not the other way around. Intoxicating liquors may trigger genetic makeup that clinches the body into needing something it shouldn’t. Alcohol affects the mind, body, and soul which clearly means you should steer clear of it or use it in moderation in order to prevent this from happening to you. Remember, if your going to drink, be smart. Don’t drink and drive, ALWAYS be in control.

People often misjudge what is an appropriate amount to drink. People who categorize themselves merely as social drinkers may in fact be heavy drinkers. People who think that perhaps they drink a little too much are in fact alcoholics. Part of this may be an unwillingness to admit to oneself how much they are drinking, but part of it is pure misconception.
A surefire symptom of alcoholism is frequent intoxication. When I say frequent I mean every day, maybe every other day. Other symptoms include blackout drinking, drinking in high risk situations — such as driving –, or having a frequent craving for alcohol. Something that sets alcoholics apart from alcohol abusers, however, is there willingness to continue drinking despite knowledge of the harmful affects that alcohol is having on their lives. For alcoholics, alcohol has become not just a mental and psychological necessity, but also a physical one. Their body is dependent on it, and they will suffer possibly painful and prolonged withdrawals if they are deprived of it. Several more symptoms of an alcoholic will be the neglect of all other activities, large amount of time spent in alcohol related activities, lack of control over alcohol consumption, and/or very high tolerance for alcohol. A person does not need to have all of these symptoms to be an alcoholic. In fact just one or two will be enough to qualify the person as someone who is dependent upon alcohol.
However, just because alcoholism is a disease which may have genetic origins does not mean it cannot be successfully treated. In fact, people everywhere are beating their disease every day. The first step, of course, is a cliche: admit that you have a problem and need help. Now don’t just write this off as an old adage, because all cliches derive their long lives from a strong basis in truth. Only after you win the battle with yourself can you begin to win the battle against addiction.
The next step is to seek help. This can be done through rehab, or through a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Do not try to simply moderate your drinking, however. You must stop drinking completely. The very definition of alcoholism is the inability to control your drinking habits. There are medications on the market as well. But the best thing to do may be to simply consult with your doctor. Alcoholism has, after all, been recognized as a disease, and therefore the most logical place to start is with a visit to the doctor’s office.
Whatever path you choose, it is very important to stay committed to your goal. For this reason, I recommend going into a rehabilitation program, as well as utilizing a support group. Things are always easier when done with others.
As with all changes, transitioning from a life of alcoholism to a life of sobriety will be difficult. The most important asset to you at this time will be your family and friends. Good luck with beating this disease.

In the present study, mortality rates and prevalence of abstinence from illicit drugs among persons with a history of addiction to heroin , cocaine , and/or amphetamines were estimated along the drug -using career time scale. …. I don’t see the illegality of hard drugs right now stopping any addicts from using, neither do I think the legality of alcohol itself causes alcoholism. I just do not agree that the destructive force of alcohol is magnitudes less now than during …

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Feministe » Caty Simon and the Virtues of Vice (part two)

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A compulsive type of personality is easy to fall for a varied number of types of addictions without recognizing or even understanding what’s going on with them. For those with a compulsive behavior, nothing can be destructive enough, all they see is their need for whatever they are addicted to.

The first step is to understand exactly what is an addiction and how not only what we know for hard drugs can be considered addictive substances. For the compulsive mind anything that can overstimulate the pleasure center in the brain can become an addiction. Any habit or substance that will give that compulsive individual the feeling he/she has found “home” will be a strong candidate to become an addiction.

One can be addicted to hard drugs like cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, methamphetamine and so on. The need for these chemicals begins to fill the individual with an emotional necessity for the consumption of such substances and slowly it progresses to a chemical and physiological need. The body tends to believe it won’t go on without such substance so the periodical use and then abuse becomes imminent. These types of addiction are very similar to the alcohol and prescription drug abuse. One may think it’s socially acceptable to be with a glass of alcohol in their hands making it hard for anyone to tell them otherwise. Addiction to prescription drugs can be just as elusive, leading one to believe it’s OK to abuse their prescription drugs since they “need” to do so.

Addictions can also fall into different categories like internet, gambling and even sex. A compulsive mind can’t see the difference between the use and abuse of anything.

The symptoms of a person with addictive behavior seem to be the same in any case or situation. Usually the person under severe compulsions begin to slowly turn unable to meet their responsibilities in work or within the family. They start to engage in dangerous behavior, doing anything they need for one more “kick” or high, or a little bit more time doing whatever they are addicted to. When approached by a loved one, they deny their addictions entirely and turn to denial or violent manners to keep everyone away. Sometimes the addicted subject might admit they need help but even although they might try to seek treatment, their efforts turn out to be useless.

If the family has a history of drug abuse or compulsive behavior in the family, the habit can seem even harder to break, but with the right help and support from all of those who care about the addicted person, they can get out of this situation.

Because forcing someone to go under treatment can be even worse for the recovery, the family and friends must be there so the addicted person won’t lose their structure and find a way out of the addiction. It’s hard for the compulsive mind to admit they’re doing something wrong and risk losing their clutches, that’s when the family and friends can come in as decisive factor in the recovery.

Let’s take a look at some of these signs and symptoms, and the steps necessary to stop the abuse of alcohol.

Alcohol is a part of many people’s lives. Most restaurants serve alcoholic beverages and it is present at most sporting events and office parties. Many people can have a drink or two and stop there with no problem at all. For many people however, this is not the case. One drink can quickly lead to many more and some people simply do not have the ability to control their alcohol consumption. Studies have shown that people that come from an alcoholic family, have an increased risk of becoming problem drinkers. This leads us to believe that genetics plays some role in this addictive process. Stress is also a leading factor in one’s ability to control their consumption of alcohol. Many people turn to the bottle as a way to manage the stress that is present in their lives. Unfortunately, alcohol cannot make these problems disappear, they are still present and often drinking creates new problems. Many family members simply cannot take the up and down roller coaster ride of living with someone who is a problem drinker or an alcoholic. These families may have financial difficulties due to the alcoholic missing work or being fired from their job due to drinking. Abuse is prevalent in many homes where alcoholism exists, because the person drinking is unable to control their behavior while drinking. Many affable people have completely different personalities once they begin to drink. Just because someone has a problem with alcohol, it does not mean that they cannot recover and lead a full, normal life. It is important to recognize the symptoms of alcohol abuse, so that help for the addiction can be obtained before it is too late.

The following are a list of things that may indicate you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol.

l. Withdrawing from friends and family.

2. A preoccupation with obtaining alcohol.

3. Numerous failed attempts to quit drinking.

4. Unexplained swings in moods or strange behavior.

5. Blaming others for problems or the ability to be unable to quit drinking.

6. Anger or depression.

Alcohol addiction can also have many different physical symptoms as well. The following things are a list of some of them.

1. Redness and puffiness of the face or eyes.

2. Abdominal pain.

3. Sick or shaking feeling, especially when not drinking.

4. Driving while intoxicated, this may result in legal troubles.

5. An increased tolerance to alcohol, and the need to drink more to feel the “buzz”.

6. Periods of not being able to remember things or conversations, “blackout” periods.

7. Flushing of the skin from an excessive intake of alcohol.

8. Missing school or work due to hangovers or periods of being intoxicated.

If you or someone you know, has any of these symptoms it is important to get help right away. There are many people who have conquered their alcohol addiction and have went on to lead happy, healthy lives.

Or, if you like, Obama purportedly smokes cigarettes: a meditation on that fact might be healthy–or not, depending on the state of one’s addiction to heroes and villains. Excuse the somewhat off-topic post, but to bring it back around: ….. The complete legalization of marijuana was favored only by 34 percent of respondents, but this figure is twice as large as it was in 1986. Marijuana is safer than alcohol and tobacco, and our drug laws should reflect this reality. …

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Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? | Drugs …

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