The drug also affects the kidneys and brain. It causes a lot of appetite, causes drowsiness all the time and decreases. Drug abuse can be a painful experience for the person with the problem and for family and friends who may feel powerless in the face of the disease. However, there are things you can do if you know or suspect that someone close to you has a drug problem.
A common misconception about drug addiction is that it only affects the life of the user. However, the idea that they are not harming anyone but themselves is an excuse used by many people who abuse drugs to justify their addiction. Drug addiction is not a one-person phenomenon and creates a ripple effect in the lives of those around them. It is a social problem that normalizes drug use and affects individuals and their families.
Until you know about addiction and the symptoms of drug abuse, it's easy to miss the signs that are right in front of you. A person who has been addicted to drugs will have to re-learn all kinds of things, from what to do when bored to who to go out with. Some people can use recreational or prescription medications without experiencing negative effects, while others find that substance use seriously affects their health and well-being. Don't be afraid to go to therapy for help if you're struggling because of your loved one's drug addiction.
Petty theft to obtain drugs and satisfy their cravings when they are desperate is another way drugs influence people to commit crimes. You can support a person with a substance abuse problem and encourage treatment, but you can't force an addict to change. People can become addicted to alcohol, nicotine, or even prescription drugs when they use them in ways other than prescribed or using someone else's prescription. Addiction to opioid pain relievers can be so powerful that it has become the leading risk factor for heroin abuse.
While the specific effects vary from drug to drug, long-term abuse of any substance can cause chronic illness or alter a person's productivity. Self-medication for anxiety symptoms with drugs or alcohol is associated with an increased risk of developing substance use disorders. The risk of drug abuse also increases significantly during periods of transition, such as changing schools, moving, or getting divorced. Whether it's a close friend or family member, helping someone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction is often a long and heartbreaking journey.
While anyone can develop problems from drug use, vulnerability to substance addiction varies from person to person. However, it's not just illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, that can cause abuse and addiction. In recent years, prescription drug abuse has become an increasing problem, and most commonly involves opioid pain relievers, anxiolytics, sedatives and stimulants. Drug use does not automatically lead to abuse, and it is often difficult to pinpoint a single moment when drug use goes from casual to problematic.
