Signs of Addiction
This is a broad general view of
addiction as different substances create different symptoms and effects on the individual and often
addiction is to more than one substance.
Addiction generally is a condition characterized by repeated, compulsive seeking and use of drugs or alcohol despite adverse social, mental, and physical consequences. It is usually accompanied by physiological and physical dependence with the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when the drug or alcohol is rapidly decreased or terminated.
When addiction
exists, the
drug use controls the individual rather than the individual controlling the usage.
Drug Rehab Information By State
Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead Gary W. Smith reports, ‘Although the number of people coming to us who are abusing pot is a smaller percentage of our total clientele, in the 30 years I have been in the drug
rehabilitation field I have not seen these numbers of individuals literally hooked on marijuana and unable to stop on their own.
We’ve known for a long time that marijuana use can lead to other drugs but it is shocking to see people whose lives are being destroyed by smoking pot just like others we are treating who are addicted to crack or alcohol.
I believe this is happening because the strength of the pot that is being smoked today is probably ten times stronger than the pot of 20 years ago.’
‘Meth’ is short for methamphetamine which is a whit crystalline drug that can be taken by snorting, injecting, smoking, and at times orally.
It is extremely addictive and can create uncontrollable cravings even after only one use.
Despite the raiding and closing of the majority of clandestine meth labs in this country, there are a few that survive and the void has definitely been filled by foreign drug cartels operating in the U.S. making meth readily available and easily affordable.
For this reason meth
addiction continues to climb at epidemic levels and has spread to all corners of the country. One is literally taking their lives in the hands right from the very first use.
The first experience of using meth may involve some pleasure; methamphetamine however begins to destroy the user’s life right from the beginning. This all starts with low intensity use where the individual wants to meth effects to stay away, increase energy, or suppress appetite.
It is usually snorted or swallowed.
The mental and physical effects are so severe that the use quickly moves into binge use. Binge use usually involved smoking or injecting the meth allowing a stronger faster effect that quickly results in psychological meth addiction.
In high intensity use ones whole existence focuses on preventing the inevitable crash following meth use. Tolerance builds up in meth
addiction requiring more and more of the drug at closer and closer intervals. Withdrawal can be mentally and physically painful and is often accompanied by severe depression and suicidal ideation.
Each alcohol or drug can and does have its own set of side effects; however there are some side effects that are common to any form of addiction.
These can be classed under the broad categories of cravings, guilt and depression.
Cravings are the intense feeling of physical or emotion need for more drugs or alcohol.
Guilt and depression are the inevitable side effects of all the things the individual has done to hurt or harm himself, his family and loved one, friends, associates, and others in general. These feelings along with cravings make it very difficult for the individual to stay away from drugs or alcohol.
As he or she has a very hard time confronting the reality of the harm created, the drugs appear to be the only solution to remove the physical and emotional pain. It is a deadly trap as the drugs are the main contributor to these feelings.
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