Who is addicted to drugs-Addiction Discussed?

It matters most who is addicted to drugs. Today even very young people are addicts

Everyone would want to be free to enjoy all that life can offer without any unjust limits put to them. This is a worthy desire and failure to grant it would only mean that there is a problem somewhere that needs to be solved for people to live and enjoy life to the fullest. Those problems or hindrances can be physical, emotional or mental. One of those life hindrances is addiction. It can come in so many ways but the bottom line is that when it is present the addicted person and the people around him or her are not happy and so the full life enjoyment is affected. We want to understand this problem by discussing and answering the question who is addicted to drugs.

Many people suffering from addiction are always in self-denial making it difficult to help them and so the most important thing is that of recognizing you have an addiction. How then to you get to know that you are addicted to something? Having an addiction means that you are controlled by your need for a particular substance to satisfy cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms. When things have got to the point that you are unable to get through the day without for example a drink, a cigarette then you have a problem.

Addiction is not about the quantity of drugs you take, it is not about the amount of cigarettes you smoke, the number of drinks you have it is to do with the effects of taking a particular substance. Basically, if your addiction is the focus of your life then you need to seek treatment.

Who is addicted to drugs-Is dependency the same as an addiction?

Differentiating these two is very tricky as some people see the two terminologies as interchangeable whereas others argue that they are separate conditions.

Addiction occurs when something you do on a casual basis becomes a habit which you are unable to break. So if you enjoy going out for a few drinks a couple of nights in the week but this becomes every night then it can be said that you have developed an addiction.

Dependency then occurs if you feel unable to cope without access to a substance or if you suffer from withdrawal symptoms if you do. This is often the case if your addiction has been present for a long period of time.

Some experts argue that you can be dependent on a substance without becoming an addict. But can one become an addict without having a dependency? This can be confusing sometimes, one explanation is that someone can be taking a prescription drug for a long period of time and have developed a dependency on that drug. In this situation they have been taking a legitimate drug but their body has adapted to the dosage and requires higher doses in order to achieve the same effect. But they do not achieve a ‘high’ or a feeling of elation (‘buzz’) or any other extreme reaction.

Dependency can occur with other activities such as shopping, internet use, chocolate, food, gambling etc. Nonetheless if these are withdrawn then the person concerned doesn’t experience any physical withdrawal symptoms. They might feel peeved or frustrated – for example not being able to indulge their taste for retail therapy, but it will not affect their health.

However, an addiction causes physical and psychological changes in the body and removing the source of this or going without results in withdrawal symptoms such as the shakes, nausea, insomnia, irritability and paranoia. Examples of this include cigarettes, drugs and alcohol. Another aspect is that many people consider an ‘addiction’ to be more severe than dependency.  Many people have a mental image of a ‘drug addict’ as someone who leads a sordid lifestyle, injecting themselves with drugs and generally, at rock bottom. They are often seen as a hopeless case and less worthy of help than someone with a dependency.

Who is addicted to drugs-Addiction v dependency?

If you are still confused between the two then consider this:

• Do you need that substance to relieve pain due to a chronic illness or injury, e.g. painkillers, prescription drugs etc. This will enable you to function as normal but without any changes in mood or behavior. Or
• Do you experience physical and mental cravings for that substance which you know will give you a ‘buzz?’ This substance will satisfy your cravings and give you that feeling of euphoria that you cannot do without.

If you considered the first then you could be said to have a dependency. But if you answered the second then you may have an addiction. If you are still wondering then have a look at some of the possible signs of addiction to help you have our question who is addicted answered

Who is addicted to drugs-Signs of addiction?

• Reduced or loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Headaches
• Dry mouth
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Tiredness
• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Anger
• Irritability and frustration
• Lack of patience with one’s self and others
• Lack of concentration
• Paranoia
• Neglecting your appearance/poor personal hygiene

These are physical and mental signs of an addiction however there are also social changes to consider such as withdrawing from other people, lack of interest in what they do, not wanting to socialize or mixing with people who you might have considered ‘undesirable’ before now.

If you find that you are spending vast amounts of money on your addiction or other people consider you to have become unreliable or untrustworthy then this also indicates a problem.

Have your colleagues at work noticed a difference in you? Is timekeeping a problem? Do you find that you have trouble concentrating at work or are bad tempered or moody?

Finally, do you feel you are losing control? It is often the case that friends or family members will tell you if they think you have an addiction rather than you recognizing this for yourself. But it is important for you to admit that you have a problem and want to give up. This will be difficult but the first and most important step in the treatment process is realizing that you are an addict – whether that is caffeine, tobacco, alcohol or ‘soft/hard’ drugs. With the first step taken the second will be for the expert to take over and at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care you will meet not just expert but caring ones who will focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE

Who is addicted to drugs-Addiction Discussed?