drug addiction

By: Amanda Smith and Ashley Guerin

Drug addition is a very serious and harmful thing and can be caused by a numerous of reasons.

The reasons people start to use drugs is if they are happy, sad, wanting to fit in with a group, or just to try something new.

All drug addiction is caused when the brain thinks that your body needs the drug in order to function

Addiction may also be in an individuals genes

Signs and symptoms are characterized by the type of drug.StimulantsDepressantsHallucinogens

Confusion Drowziness, lazyness Slurred speech Poor memory Red eyes Increased blood

pressure Slow reaction time

Marijuana Alcohol Barbiturates Opiates

Decreased appitite Weight loss Loss of sleep Paranoid thoughts Depression as the drug

wears off Irritability Nose bleeds from

snorting Sores Rotten teeth Twitching

LSD/Acid PCP

Hallucinations Tremors Rapid Heart beat Permanent mental

changes Panic Loss of sleep

Amphetamine Methamphetamine Cocaine Crack

There are mental, physical, and emotional effects.

When someone is addicted they will do things that they wouldn’t normally do in order to get the drugs( sex, steal, kill someone,etc….)

Physical effects are irratability, anger hostility, fatigue, anxiety, depression, lack of cordination, sores…etc.

Long term goal: user to never use again

Short term goal: dramatically reduce drug use

After reducing the user detoxes

Some need medications to deal with withdrawl symptoms

Other can not go through treatment alone

Those who can not stay clean on their own have options.◦ Cognitive therapy◦ Residential treatment◦ Counseling

Those who complete treatment may relapse at anytime.