Drug addiction has become common in society today as millions of people become addicted to narcotic substances around the world each year.
Many studies have been done to find out what the effects of drug addiction are and it’s been discovered that it’s a disease that doesn’t only affect an individual physically but also mentally and socially.
This article will outline what happens to a person who is addicted to drugs and what can be done to help them.
Drug addiction happens when an individual uses excessive amount of drugs over a long period of time and will continue to use it despite seeing the damage it’s doing to their health and social life.
People begin to use drugs for various reasons, for example to relieve pressures at work or at home or to remove any pain they might be feeling. Some may even use it to increase their energy levels and performance.
Some medical doctors use drugs on their patients to relieve chronic pain after surgery and even this might pose a possibility of creating an addiction.
If the results of the drugs used are pleasurable and helpful to the individual using it, the person may use it time after time to experience its effects.
Some drug addicts say when they use drugs; it re-energises them and takes them to a ‘happy place,’ where all their problems are forgotten.
However, long term use of drugs will make individuals completely dependent on its effects and simply won’t be able to function properly without using it.
People can become addicted to various drugs: marijuana, crack, meth and even prescription pills assigned by medical doctors if used incorrectly. The effects of each drug and addiction will differ from person to person; however, there are some results that will be experienced by everyone.
The Physical Effects of Drug Addiction
The effects that drug addiction can have on an addict may range from mild symptoms to more severe ones.
In the early stages of drug addiction, addicts may experience symptoms such as changes in body weight, breathing problems as well as increased heart rate and blood pressure levels.
However, addiction is a progressive disease and over time and continued use, the effects it has on the body will become more dangerous.
Addicts may pick up illnesses such as heart and lung diseases as well as conditions such as arthritis. Because drugs alter the way the brain functions, excessive use of it may also lead to brain damage.
The Mental and Social Effects of Drug Addiction
When someone becomes addicted to drugs, they become almost powerless to control it. They have now reached a stage where if they can’t use the substance, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, depression and stress.
Drugs are illegal in most countries and can be very costly to obtain, causing crime rates to increase and may damage the financial status of drug addicts as they’ll do just about anything to get hold of the substance.
Drug addiction doesn’t only harm the person using narcotics but also everyone closest to them, such as family and friends. When the person is under the influence of the substance, they may become violent and aggressive and loved ones may often feel that they are unable to help the individual, causing breakdowns in relationships that were once cherished.
Addiction also has the ability to destroy the careers of addicts as the individual won’t be able to complete their tasks at work, which may eventually lead to unemployment.
Help for Drug Addicts
If you or a loved one is addicted to drugs, its best to seek professional assistance instead of quitting alone.
There is a common myth going around that addicts must first want to get help before treatment is successful.
This is totally untrue, as waiting till your loved one hits ‘rock bottom’ could be a little too late. Forcing someone into treatment via an intervention or even through a court order has no effect on whether treatment will be successful or not.
In a drug rehabilitation centre, patients will receive a supervised medical detoxification to help remove all the harmful toxins in the body as well as in minimising any withdrawal effects or cravings that may be experienced.
Recovering drug addicts will be put through various counselling and therapy programs such as one-one-one counselling and 12-step group meetings which helps in teaching them about their addiction and what can be done to avoid using the substance in the future.
Patients will be able to stay at home and attend regular therapy and counselling meetings. Outpatient treatment is also available for those who completed treatment or for people with unavoidable and important responsibilities to attend to.
Tertiary care may also be done, which is highly effective in helping those who completed treatment to continue on the path of sobriety.
We provide access to the best private drug rehabilitation centres all over South Africa, the United Kingdom and Thailand. Call us now and let one of our friendly addiction counsellors assist in finding the best treatment available for you or your loved one.