What is Drug Addiction?

Addiction is a compulsive need for and use of a habit forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological systems upon withdrawal. Many people who are addicted to drugs think that they can just stop using at any time when in fact it is almost impossible to. Although it is true that a persons decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the drugs causes changes in the brain which causes a person to loose the ability to make sound decisions and at the same time send intense impulses to take more drugs. That is why it is almost impossible to stop using drugs on your own. Drug addiction does not only affect the person who is using the drugs but it also hurts the society through health and crime related costs.

          According to the NIDA the estimated total overall costs of substance abuse exceeds over half a trillion dollars with $349 billion for drugs, and $185 billion for alcohol. So why would anyone want to use drugs in the first place? Many people try drugs to help with stress, or because their friends are doing it. When in fact drugs do not fix the problems that started the stress to begin with. There are many programs available to those who have an addiction and finding the right program is very important. Long term programs have been proven to work better that short term programs because they get the addict out of their natural enviroment, and get them in a comfortable enviroment where they can get off drugs and alcohol.When a person is addicted to either drugs or alcohol it is harder for them to confront the fact that they have a problem. They are consumed by the addiction which basically blinds them as to what is real and what is not.

            Family members of addicted people may try to cover up the fact that there is a problem until it becomes so uncontrollable that they themselves are so affected that they realize something has to be done on a professional level. Addiction can strike at any time in a persons life no matter their race, religion, social status, age or life style. It can go on for years before the person ever gets help and it can lead to severe physical, emotional and mental problems. Those who are suffering from addiction tend to have more problems with everyday life than those who do not have an addiction problem. Addicts have a hard time dealing with relationships personal or professional, holding stable jobs, keeping control of their finances, and the list is endless. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction please contact a professional now to receive the proper help before it's to late. Call us at 1-800-468-6933 to speak to a counselor.