Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Drug and alcohol abuse can be devastating to victims and people close to them. It’s unfortunate that it is so common throughout North America. There are a number of negative consequences that result from drug and alcohol abuse—it can deteriorate health, damage relationships, cost a fortune, and overall prevent individuals from living a healthy and fulfilling life. Drug abuse and alcohol abuse do differ, but they often go hand in hand, which is why they are commonly grouped together.

Drug abuse involves the overuse of prescription and/or illegal drugs. Abused drugs can include marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, crystal meth, acid, heroin, depressants and more. Addicts may often abuse drugs to experience a “high” and to cope with emotional problems and stress, which can lead to drug dependence or addiction. Drugs in North America are so easier to access than a substance abuse treatment program.

Drug addiction develops when someone needs to feel high all the time just to be able to cope. An addict unlearns how to cope with life when they are in a regular frame of mind. Trying to function when an addict is not high then becomes a stressful situation and the need to get high seems like the solution to the problem.

Drug dependency can be physical or psychological—with physical drug addiction, the body has become accustomed to having a higher level of a substance and it experiences withdrawal when the level is lower than usual and with psychological drug addiction, people are emotionally dependent on a substance and feel like they need it to function. As with alcohol dependency, those suffering from drug addiction are usually aware of the negative impact that drug abuse has on their life and health, but do not have the coping mechanisms to quit.

Alcohol abuse involves drinking copious amounts of alcohol, either consistently or during binge drinking sessions. As with drug abuse, people who frequently abuse alcohol can end up with an alcohol dependence. Those that suffer from alcoholism are also likely to engage in risky behaviours such as drinking and driving, high risk sex and using illegal drugs. Using drugs will worsen the effects of alcohol abuse, which are already significantly harmful. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver, heart, brain, and nervous system, and other physical problems like stomach ache, cancer, sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis. In addition to the medical dangers, behavioral problems such as violence can also destroy friends and family relationships and work and home situations.

Alcohol and drug abuse doesn’t only affect those that use. It can be heartbreaking for family and friends to witness someone they love experience drug and/or alcohol addiction. It’s common for people close to the victim to feel blame or guilt for not having prevented, recognized the signs or sought an appropriate treatment program.

Family and friends play a huge supporting role in getting drug abusers on the road to recovery. Drug and alcohol abuse is very dangerous, and it’s an issue that requires immediate intervention and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, unless the user get’s in trouble with the law and a treatment program is mandated, intervention doesn’t happen until the user has a desire to change. It can be difficult to recover from substance abuse, but treatment is available and addiction recovery is possible.

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