Drug Addiction
Table of Contents
Drug addiction doesn’t discriminate amongst its victims. In fact, addiction to drugs affects people of all ages, genders, socioeconomic levels and classes. It’s easy to make assumptions about those who struggle with addiction; the most popular assumption to make is that they are lacking willpower and mental fortitude. This just isn’t the case. Addiction is a life-threatening disease that literally alters brain chemistry.
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is a widespread problem that is characterized by compulsive use of drugs, even when the user is aware of the damage of doing so. Across the United States, people from all demographics struggle with drug addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, also known as SAMHSA, found that more than 24 million residents, ages 12 and older, are currently struggling with drug addiction in the US. While this number is surprisingly large, even more surprising is the fact that only 10 percent of these people get professional help for their addiction issues.
Drug addiction is also an issue that is only getting worse over time. SAMHSA also found that in the past two decades, instances of drug-addicted residents have increased by over 500 percent. See related: Drug Abuse.
The Costs of Drug Addiction
Addiction always comes at a price – and oftentimes that price is quite steep. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, also known as NIDA, found that drug addiction costs the country over $600 billion yearly. This massive price tag is spread over the costs of healthcare, law enforcement personnel, government-funded treatment, damages and prevention efforts, all related to drug use, abuse and addiction.
Aside from financial costs, drug addiction also costs addicts and their loved ones greatly on a personal level. These costs include:
- Damage to personal relationships. Family members and romantic partners of addicts are often unable to trust the addict, due to the lying and deception that accompany addiction. As a result, many relationships are deeply damaged due to drug addiction.
- Loss of income and career advancement. When someone is suffering from drug addiction, it’s incredibly difficult for him to perform on the job. He may show up late or miss work altogether. When he does meet his basic work obligations, his performance is often poor.
- Health issues. Continued drug use carries with it a bevy of health issues that vary according to the drug of choice. Drug addiction can lead to long-term health issues and ultimately shorten one’s lifespan.
- Legal troubles. When one is caught in the web of addiction, she may do things she would not normally do in an effort to obtain drugs or money to buy drugs. While doing drug is illegal in and of itself, this compulsive desire to obtain the drug often leads to further illegal activity. As a result, drug addicts often end up arrested and incarcerated.
Common Drugs That Lead to Addiction
While any drug can eventually lead to addiction, either on a physical or psychological level, certain drugs are more likely to cause addiction than others. According to NIDA, these drugs are:
Risk Factors for Addiction
While anyone can become addicted to drugs, there are certain risk factors that make a person more likely to become an addict. These factors are not concrete indicators of addiction. Some of the most serious drug addicts may not have any of the risk factors while there are plenty of people that possess most of the risk factors and do not become addicts. These factors only increase the chances that someone will become addicted. According to Mayo Clinic, these factors are:
- Gender. Males are two times more likely to use and abuse drugs than their female counterparts.
- Addicts in the family. It is believed that there is a genetic component to drug addiction. If someone in your family is an addict, it increases the likelihood that you will struggle with addiction.
- Depression. Those who suffer from depression and anxiety are more likely to turn to drugs in an effort to alleviate their issues.
- Lack of support. Those who lack close familial, particularly parental, support are more likely to abuse drugs.
- Psychological issues. If you suffer from a psychological issue, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or an eating disorder, you are more likely to become addicted to drugs.
Help for Drug Addiction
Thankfully, drug addiction doesn’t have to define an addict’s life long term. There are plenty of places where addicts can turn for help. When you are in the depth of addiction, it can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel; however, rest assured that there is a way out. You just have to take the first step in that direction.
There is a plethora of drug treatment options available to anyone suffering from addiction. It’s important to choose a treatment plan that appeals to you on a personal level. Options include:
Get Help Today
Here at Axis, we offer cutting-edge addiction treatment programs for those suffering from drug addiction. Know that there is hope for you. Call us today for more information on effective treatment programs and learn how to take the first step on your journey to long-term sobriety.
Further Reading
- Aftercare Services for Recovering Addicts
- An Overview of Addiction Effects
- Codependency
- Drug Abuse and Addiction Among Teenagers
- Drug Addiction Causes
- Drug Addiction Celebrities
- Drug Addiction Disease
- Drug Addiction Statistics
- Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Street Names
- How to Get Help: Breaking Out of the Bondage of Addiction
- Intervening on the Addict
- LGBT and Drug Addiction
- Locating a Therapist Who Specializes in Addiction
- Prescription Drugs: The Addiction Epidemic
- Spotting the Signs of Drug Addiction
- Women and Drug Addiction