What Defines Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse can happen in a variety of ways. Most people make the initial decision to take drugs voluntarily or by the influence of peers. Recreational drug abuse seems harmless at first and individuals will continue to abuse drugs for their short term benefits. Unfortunately, these individuals are unable to grasp the long term effects that drug abuse has on the body and the brain. Many individuals think that they have control over their drug abuse and can stop at any time. They do not see that their drug abuse is hurting not only their self, but also their friends and family. Drug abuse can lead to risky behavior, such as unprotected sex, sharing needles, buying street drugs from strangers, and engaging in other dangerous activities while under the influence. As drug abuse continues over time, stopping drug abuse becomes less likely an action of willpower. The path from drug abuse to drug addiction starts to develop more and more. Drug abuse of almost any drug has the potential to lead to drug addiction, the chemical dependency to drugs in your brain as a result of your drug abuse.
When Does Drug Abuse Become Drug Addiction?
Once recreational drug abuse becomes physically and mentally addicting, the disease of drug addiction has set in. Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease. Repeated drug abuse over time changes the structure and function of the human brain. This chemical dependency can affect a person’s self control and ability to make sound decisions, as well as create a strong impulse to take drugs. These chemical changes make it extremely difficult for the drug user to stop their drug abuse. As a person continues to abuse drugs, the brain adapts to the overwhelming levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain involved with movement, emotion, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. Almost all drugs, either directly or indirectly, overstimulate the brain with dopamine and produce euphoric effects in response to the drug(s). Many times the drug addiction is so severe that the drug user will dismiss family values and social values in pursuit of obtaining more drugs to supplement their drug abuse and drug addiction needs. Long term drug abuse causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well. These chemical changes in the brain turn drug abuse into the disease of drug addiction, leaving the drug abuser vulnerable to a potentially life-long or life-threatening battle with drugs.
Recognizing Your Drug Addiction (Signs and Symptoms)
How and why some people become addicted to drugs, while others do not, is not defined by any single factor. The disease of drug addiction depends on the individual’s biology, social environment, age or stage of development. We have already learned that recreational drug abuse may appear harmless to the drug user at first, but as drug abuse continues over time, the disease of addiction sets in when what began as a voluntary choice, turned into a physical and psychological chemical dependency on the abused drug. Although you may be unable to notice the negative effects drug abuse and drug addiction has had on your body and mind, your friends and family may have noticed. The importance of recognizing the negative impacts of your drug addiction will be the first step in seeking help for drug addiction. Drug addiction means that you have built up a drug tolerance, needing to use more of the drug over time as your body adapts to your drug abuse for the same effects. You may have thought you were in control of your drug abuse, but once you have lost the ability to quit taking drugs, drug addiction has taken over. Your life gradually starts to revolve around your drug abuse and drug addiction more and more. The disease of drug addiction in your brain is causing you to spend more time thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them, and craving drugs. It is possible that you have also lost interest in your favorite hobbies, sports, and social activities due to your drug addiction. You also continue to use drugs even with knowing how much they are hurting you and causing problems in your life. There are physical warning signs of drug abuse, behavioral signs of drug abuse, and even psychological warning signs of drug abuse. The most important aspect of saving yourself or a loved one from drug abuse and drug addiction is recognizing the signs of drug abuse and drug addiction.
Make the call that could save your life
Drug addiction includes opiate addiction, cocaine addiction, heroin addiction, methamphetamine addiction, club drug addiction (ecstasy addiction), marijuana addiction, prescription drug addiction, and alcohol addiction.
Getting Help For Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction
Accepting the fact that you have a problem with drug abuse and drug addiction is not easy. However, recognizing your need to search for drug abuse and drug addiction information may indicate that you or someone you love is suffering from drug abuse or drug addiction. The search for how to cure yourself from drug abuse and drug addiction can seem overwhelming, but there is no reason to be discouraged. Recognizing that you have a problem with drug abuse and drug addiction is the first step on the road to addiction recovery. It is a step that takes immense courage and strength. Getting addiction help for drug abuse and drug addiction is a positive step in the right direction and the good news is that there is addiction help available. You should also know that you are not alone. There are many others who have battled drug abuse and drug addiction and have successfully overcome their drug abuse and drug addiction to lead a fulfilling, drug-free life.
There are many drug abuse treatment programs and drug addiction treatment centers to choose from. Finding the right drug abuse treatment program and drug addiction treatment center can be a difficult and often daunting task. The Florida House Experience is a nationally recognized premier sober living alcohol and drug addiction treatment center located in sunny South Florida, less than a mile from the beautiful coastline. Our drug rehab center are private and luxurious facilities, for your highest level of comfort to overcome drug abuse and drug addiction. Our sister detox facility provides medically supervised detox with specialized care and attention. We have an exceptional, licensed and trained clinical and medical staff that provides specialized care and attention to each individual. Those seeking drug abuse and drug addiction recovery come from all over the nation to our premier drug addiction treatment center for lasting addiction recovery and sober living. Call our toll free addiction helpline NOW at 866-421-6242 (available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year) with any questions and concerns about drug abuse and drug addiction treatment. We welcome Florida and out of state residents and treat everyone as a part of our “Florida House Family.”