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A Step toward Substance Abuse Can Lead to a Deep Hole of Addiction

Substance abuse is a common problem in the United States. Each person probably knows, or at least knows of, several people who are addicted to some substance. There are several different kinds of substances that can be abused and therefore several different kinds of addictions that can result. From alcohol to inhalants and from caffeine to hallucinogens, there are all kinds of drugs available on the legal and illegal markets. Some are physically addictive, others are psychologically addictive. Still other drugs can create powerful addictions of the body and mind together. After dependence occurs, there are other, more serious side effects that can happen.

Physical Dependence

Many addictive drugs actually cause physical changes in the user's body which facilitate the addictive properties of the drug to manifest themselves. Nearly all of the addictive drugs are poisonous to some extent, and definitely in large enough doses. As a person's brain adapts to the drug, it requires more of the drug to produce an effect on that person. The natural chain of events causes the person to continue to use more and more of the drug. Withdrawal from the drug soon becomes physically uncomfortable. Physical addiction makes it very difficult for a person to give up a drug.

Psychological Dependence

Not all drugs are physically addictive. Possibly more dangerous though are the drugs that cause a psychological dependence, in combination with physical dependence or not. Even though there are no withdrawal symptoms and even though a person's body does not adapt itself for the drug, some drugs can exert great power over a person's life. Being able to relax and feel enjoyable feelings is a psychological trigger that can lead a person to focus only on getting more of a drug.

Dangerous Addiction

Because an addict has probably built enormous tolerance levels to his or her drug of choice, he probably denies that he has any sort of problem. Whether or not other people notice behavioral problems or changes, the individual addict is probably in sharp denial. One sad twist to physical or psychological addiction is that the addict will feel his best when using the drug. He will probably feel sick, irritable and out of control when he is not using the drug. Only when under the influence will the person feel like himself. Unfortunately, as the addiction progresses, the amount of drug used will continue to increase, causing more and more significant risk to the individual.

Overcoming Addiction

You have probably heard that admitting a problem is the first step to recovery. That is the truth. If there is nothing to fix from the addict's eyes, stopping drug use will only seem ridiculous. For someone to become free from addiction, they will need an environment of trust and accountability as well as a will to succeed. Substance abuse is not as sever as substance dependence, but it is a very large step in the wrong direction. If the use of drugs affects a person's daily life or has even started to threaten lives, there is a problem that requires serious attention and help.

Frances, Allen MD and First, Michael B. MD. Your Mental Health: A Layman's Guide to

the Psychiatrist's Bible. New York: Scribner, 1998.