A drug addiction is a pathological dependence on a particular substance. This cannot be controlled or easily stopped by the person affected. The triggering substance may be heroin, cocaine, or even alcohol or medications. Drug addiction damages the body and psyche of the sufferer and is potentially fatal.
What is a drug addiction?
Experts use the term drug addiction to mean a pathological dependence on one or more substances. Alcohol, medication or even illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine or even marijuana can trigger drug addiction if used repeatedly. Those affected are usually initially unaware that they are addicted and/or do not want to admit it to themselves. The consumption of the respective substance causes an extreme high or even a deep relaxation and represents a temporary escape from reality, which must be repeated at all costs after the respective feeling has subsided. The person affected cannot control this craving and may be willing to commit criminal acts in order to obtain the substance. Drug addiction basically requires medical and psychological treatment, as it severely damages the body and psyche of the affected person.
Causes
Despite intensive research, science has not yet been able to clearly identify the factors that lead to the development of drug addiction. However, it has been found that it is probably a combination of biological, social and psychological components that eventually cause addiction. The prejudice that people from socially difficult backgrounds in particular take refuge in drugs cannot be confirmed in this way. Although there are people who want to escape their lives of poverty and deprivation with the help of drugs, wealthy or even famous people often also tend to turn to drugs. Drug addicts are therefore found in all social classes, regardless of age, gender or individual personality structure.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
A wide variety of symptoms and complaints can occur with an existing drug addiction, which can vary greatly depending on the type of drug. A typical symptom is considerable lack of concentration, so that an affected person with an existing drug addiction cannot perform consistently well. In many cases, there is also a prolonged trembling of the hands, which lasts especially during intoxication. Another and at the same time very pronounced sign of drug addiction is an unkempt appearance. Affected individuals with drug addiction are severely marked by regular use of drugs. The corners of the mouth tear, damaged teeth, blemished skin and reddened eyes are clear signs of drug addiction. In addition, various underlying diseases can also arise from drug addiction. Permanent damage to the kidneys, liver and brain is not uncommon. In general, it is always advisable to consult a doctor in case of an existing drug addiction, so that a quick and smooth therapy can take place. Otherwise, drug addiction can even lead to death if all signs and symptoms are ignored.
Diagnosis
Drug addiction is diagnosed with the help of psychological and medical tests. A conversation with the sufferer can also provide information; however, drug addicts tend to deny and hide their addiction. Because the use of various substances attacks the psyche as well as the body, the attending physician can use blood tests, hair samples, or ultrasound examinations to determine whether drug abuse is present. Psychological failures or disorders of consciousness can also signify the presence of an addiction. Drug addiction must always be treated as a matter of principle, otherwise it will take on increasingly severe forms and thus affect the person concerned socially, psychologically and also physically. Since the body takes serious damage in the long run, it can be potentially fatal if left untreated.
Complications
In the worst case scenario, drug addiction can result in death. This is especially true if the particular drug is taken in an overdose or if the organism has been severely damaged by long-term drug use. In most cases, drug addiction destroys the immune system.Drugs have a negative effect on the heart, liver, kidneys and stomach and can cause problems in these organs. Drug addiction destroys nerves, so that it can lead to perceptual disorders, which occur mainly in the extremities. The brain is also affected by drug addiction. This can result in impaired thinking and retardation. As a rule, the damage caused by drug addiction cannot be reversed. There are also severe psychological problems. These can have a negative impact on friendships and other social contacts. Often, those affected become aggressive when the drug is not taken and are also prepared to commit acts of violence. Treatment for drug addiction is usually possible in the form of withdrawal. However, the patient must admit to himself that he is suffering from drug addiction. In most cases, withdrawal leads to success. However, drug addiction can reoccur throughout life.
When should you see a doctor?
Drug addiction must always be treated by a doctor or by an appropriate therapist, since the person concerned cannot cope with an existing drug addiction on his or her own. Of course, the type of drug plays a very big role. If the affected person is addicted to a hard drug, such as heroin or cocaine, then there is even an acute danger to life. Especially if the existing addiction remains without any treatment, then the drug addiction can even lead to death. However, if the affected person decides to seek treatment, then this is definitely the right way and also of very great importance. Only if treatment is provided promptly, then the chances of complete recovery are guaranteed. However, if the affected person forgoes therapy or treatment, then the prospect of independent recovery looks anything but good. Only very rarely do drug addicts make it out of such a crisis on their own, so appropriate therapy is essential. For this reason, the following applies: anyone suffering from a drug addiction must not put off therapy and treatment. Only professional therapy can ensure a quick and complete recovery.
Treatment and therapy
If drug addiction has been clearly diagnosed, the attending physician initiates therapy. This takes place on an inpatient basis in a clinic and is made up of different components. First, withdrawal or detoxification takes place. Under medical supervision, the patient is deprived of the addictive substance. The withdrawal symptoms that occur can be alleviated with medication. The so-called withdrawal phase can then begin. During this phase, which can last up to a year, the patient learns to lead a life without the drug. Intensive psychological discussions take place, often involving the family and partner. Finding out the individual trigger of the addiction can play a decisive role in preventing a later relapse. A resocialization phase helps the addict to find his way back into everyday life and, for example, to find an apartment and a job and to establish social contacts. Drug addicts generally have a high risk of relapse, which is why it is not uncommon for several therapies to be completed before lasting abstinence can be achieved. The potential risk of relapse is lifelong.
Outlook and prognosis
Most addicts cannot get away from a drug addiction without professional help. The prospects of deciding on one’s own not to take any more drugs and sticking to that decision are conceivably slim. With professional support, on the other hand, there are quite a few former drug addicts who no longer need drugs today. The relapse rate is nevertheless high, and there are ways and means to remain drug-free after successful therapy. The first step to improve the prognosis of a drug addiction is to accept professional help in the necessary form. For some drugs, a visit to a psychotherapist or even the family doctor is sufficient – light or legal drugs such as cigarettes can be banned from one’s life in this way. Self-help groups are also helpful; in the case of drug addiction, they provide long-term help in coping with life without drugs in the future.In cases of severe drug addiction or hard drugs, the immediate measure usually recommended is admission to rehab followed by cold turkey or a substitute drug such as methadone. Drug addiction in itself will last a lifetime; it cannot disappear. This makes it all the more important to enable former drug addicts to stop using drugs by means of suitable long-term measures. The chances of success depend largely on the addict’s motivation, his social environment and the support he receives along the way.
Prevention
Drug addiction can only be prevented to a limited extent. If a person affected notices the first signs of addiction or if friends or family notice corresponding symptoms, a counseling center should be visited in case of doubt. These help free of charge and if desired also anonymously with the difficult way into a drug-free life.
What you can do yourself
The possibilities for self-help measures in everyday life when drug addiction is still present and carried out are limited. This is different in the phases of withdrawal and abstinence. For example, sufferers who pursue their addictive behavior are not expected to develop avoidance strategies in everyday life, as the addiction largely takes away their control over their actions. This varies greatly depending on the substance used and the amount. The only thing that can be done is to try to influence those affected from the outside and get them to recognize their addiction and take necessary steps aimed at withdrawal. Strategies such as hiding or disposing of substances from the affected person’s environment are hardly helpful and at best lead to aggression or despair. Cold turkey withdrawal is not possible with all drugs. During withdrawal, talking to friends and family can help. Newly discovered activities distract from withdrawal symptoms and open up new perspectives for those affected. It may be that in the course of this, compensatory behavior develops through excessive pursuit of an activity. Abstinence is dependent on the sufferer avoiding opportunities to lapse into his old consumption behavior. This may include (temporarily) abstaining from social events (alcohol, cigarettes). Affected individuals should also have something to do. Sports, hobbies, and cooking, for example, can help people better cope with withdrawal and abstinence.
