Addiction usually starts when someone experiments with drugs or alcohol. Why do
some people go on to become addicts while others do not? Complex genetic, biological,
and psychological factors come into play.
Once they are addicted, addicts feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable need for their
substance of choice—be it drugs or alcohol or risky behaviors. At that moment, they
do not care about the consequences of consumption. All they want is the associated
"high."
The good news is that with medications, counseling, and the desire to quit, addictions
are treatable. The road is not easy—and may require lifelong avoidance of previous
behavior. But the rewards of recovery benefit everyone.
Like all parts of the human body, your brain is made up of cells, which connect
to one another via tiny receptors. The gaps between cells where they meet are called
synapses (sin-ap-seas), and allow for chemicals and electrical impulses
to travel from cell to cell.
When you do something pleasurable (e.g., eat something tasty, touch something soft,
or solve a problem), your brain produces various chemicals that float through the
synapses and attach to parts of brain cells called receptors. This is how you feel
pleasure.
..addiction can ruin the life of the
addict, and those close to them.
When you drink or use a drug, your brain initially sends out its own chemicals.
Drugs, however, can stay in your system longer than many brain chemicals. Once the
body's chemicals are gone, the drugs you have used may still get attached to the
receptors. This is typically what causes your body/mind to feel the "high" of drugs.
Once the drug has been processed through your body, the next release of your body’s
own natural chemicals won’t feel as good as the drug "high." Recreational users
may want to feel that “high” again, but people who develop addiction problems will
crave the “high” so much that it takes over everything else, and becomes their main
focus.
As you take more of the drug, your natural body brain chemical production will slow
or stop altogether. You will soon be taking the drug to compensate for the lack
typical brain chemicals in your body—you are now dependent on the drug, or "hooked."
Compounding the problem, once a set of synapses gets used, the brain adjusts to
using them more frequently. Essentially, the brain rewires itself to this new reward
system. In the case of an addict, the brain rewires itself to “needing” the pathway
the drug provides for pleasure.
New pathways form around the self-regulating pathways of your brain. Taking the
drug becomes such a priority—a need—that addicts can’t control how they get it,
or the things they do while using. This is how addiction can ruin the life of the
addict, and those close to them.
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Alcoholism is a disease that does not distinguish between gender, race, or income
level. It is classified by preoccupation with alcohol and lack of control over consumption.
It is a physical dependency. Genetic, psychological, and social factors contribute
to the disease.
Alcoholism gets worse over time. If untreated, it can be fatal. Chronic alcohol
use and abuse increases the risk for liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease,
stroke, and some cancers. Alcohol abusers continue despite serious adverse health,
personal, work-related and financial consequences; they are not in control.
In the United States alone, alcohol abuse and addiction costs $40–$60 billion each
year due to lost work production, health and medical care, motor vehicle accidents,
violent crime, and social programs. It is a serious problem.
Because of the social stigma—e.g., how they feel they are judged because they are
losing control due to alcohol—people with alcohol problems are very good at hiding
their condition—even from themselves.
Here are some questions that doctors use to help identify who has an alcohol problem:
- Do you crave alcohol?
- Can you stop after just one drink?
- Do you need more alcohol to get “buzzed” or drunk than you used to?
- Do you feel guilt or shame about your drinking?
- Have you blacked out or forgot what you did when drinking?
- Do you have withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, shakiness, anxiety) when you
stop drinking?
- Have friends or family members expressed concern about your drinking?
Talk to you doctor about your condition and see what he or she recommends.
Experts today recommend, at most, drinking in moderation only.
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Moderate
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Excessive
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Men
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2 drinks per day
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More than 14 drinks per week, or 4 per occasion
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Women
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1 drink per day
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More than 7 drinks per week, or 3 per occasion
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Young adults from 18 to 29 have the highest cases of alcohol abuse. If you began
to drink before the age of 14, you are at greater risk for developing alcohol-related
health problems, and/or addiction. Most alcoholics started drinking at an early age.
Stigma & Misconceptions
Alcohol addiction is a disease. Many people still believe, however, that it is simply
a lack of willpower. But if that were true, anyone could quit at any time, and we
know that this is not possible. Further, genetic research shows that certain people
are more likely to become alcoholics than others.
Because of this misconception, many people in early recovery face shame and misunderstanding
from people who learn of their condition. Compounded with feelings of guilt and
shame for hurting those closest to them, these feelings often lead to relapse. While
a lack of willpower is not enough to quit, a desire to quit is certainly necessary
to start the process of recovery.
Risk Factors
You are at greater risk for alcohol addiction if one or both parents or grandparents
had the disease. You may also be at risk of co-dependency, a damaging psychological
condition that many believe contributes to the cycle of promoting alcoholism in
others.
Check the Resources tab above to learn more about addiction and recovery, and find
a program to help you or a loved one.
Withdrawal
If you or someone you love experiences any of the following symptoms as a result
of quitting alcohol, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room:
- Severe vomiting
- Confusion and disorientation
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Extreme agitation
- Seizures or convulsions
Recovery
There are many resources available for alcoholics, including treatment centers and
12-step programs to help you or a loved one with an alcohol problem. The first step
is to admit that you have a problem. The second is to determine your path to quit.
For many addicts, denial is a major problem. If you suspect a friend or family has
an alcohol problem—you are not alone. Those close to addicts are often the first
to recognize a problem. You may want to consider an intervention, a process where
those close to the addict confront his or her problem in a safe, controlled manner.
Check the Resources tab above to find a recovery program to help you or someone you love.
Helpful Resources
Find 12-step meetings to help you get the support you need for problems with drugs
or alcohol. When you take the first step to rise from the bottom, there are people
around who want to help you stand. Please call.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Seton Hospital
Daly City 650-577-1310
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Drug addiction is an intense craving for and compulsive use of a legal or illegal
substance. An addict feels the need to use despite the negative or dangerous effects
of the drug. Genetic, psychological, and social factors contribute to the condition.
Drug addiction gets worse over time. If untreated, it can be fatal. Abusers continue
despite serious adverse health, personal, work-related and financial consequences;
they are not in control.
Dependence
Drug dependence—your body needs the substance to function—can be part of addiction.
Some drugs (very often prescription drugs) cause physical dependence. Other drugs
lead to addiction, but have physical dependence (very often illegal drugs, like
cocaine).
If you become tolerant to a drug (you need a higher dose to attain prior effect
or "high") this could be a sign of addiction. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned
about a drug you are taking.
Make an Appointment to See a Doctor if:
- You can't stop using a drug
- Your drug use has led to unsafe behavior, such as sharing needles or unprotected sex
- You think you may be having withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking a drug
Call 9-1-1
if you or someone you know has taken a drug and:
- Loses consciousness
- Has trouble breathing
- Has seizures
- Has sharp chest pain or pressure
- Has a serious psychological reaction
- Has excessive vomiting
- Has a harmful physical reaction
There are many resources available for substance abusers, including treatment centers
and 12-step programs to help you or a loved one with a drug problem. The first step
is to admit that you have a problem. The second is to determine your path to quit.
For many addicts, denial is a major problem. If you suspect a friend or family has
a drug problem—you are not alone. Those close to addicts are often the first to
recognize a problem. You may want to consider an intervention, a process where those
close to the addict confront his or her problem in a safe, controlled manner.
Check the Resources tab above to find a recovery program to help you or someone you love.
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Planning & Enacting an Intervention
Many drug and alcohol users don’t think they have a problem. For many former addicts,
the road to recover began when concerned family members, friends, or co-workers
stepped in to persuade the user to seek treatment. This is called an intervention.
Typically, a group of family members, friends, church members, co-workers, or anyone
close to the user is invited to participate in the intervention. Usually, the group
will meet at the user's home or office, and will then discuss their concerns with
the user and relate their personal stories of how the user’s actions have affected
their lives.
To succeed, an intervention must be carefully planned and enacted. Since the user
may be in denial, confrontation may make the situation worse. Frequently, a plan
of action, including a treatment facility or a 12-step program, has been lined up
to assist the user.
If you know of someone who has a drug or alcohol problem but refuses to acknowledge
it, seek guidance from a doctor, counselor, or other trained professional about
interventions. There are many resources available to help you.
Intervention Resources
Recovery is a Process
Recovery begins when a person recognizes he or she has a substance
abuse problem, and becomes daily practice—hence the 12-step program mantra: one
day at a time.
For many, the process of recovery involves a treatment center. Some may need a residential
period, an outpatient program, or a sober living environment to begin their recovery
path. The most important thing is getting the help you need.
Talk to your doctor or a trained counselor. There are many resources available to
help you get the services you need to succeed.
Relapse
Relapse happens. Research shows that 90% of addicts relapse in the first four years
following treatment. Most people who relapse later identify triggers by high-risk
situations, including:
- Anger/frustration
- Temptation
- Social Pressure
To help prevent a relapse, know your triggers. Resist situations that you know could
be a problem for you. Find a support group that works for you—and stick to your
meetings!
Practice relaxation methods. Take up healthy hobbies, like Yoga, exercise, or something
artistic. Take responsibility for your actions and control over your life.
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