Unit IV-Drug addictionUnit IV-Drug addiction I. IntroductionI. Introduction You may be hooked emotionally and You may be hooked emotionally and

psychologically. You may have a physical psychologically. You may have a physical dependence, too. If you have a drug addiction — dependence, too. If you have a drug addiction — whether to a legal or illegal drug — you have whether to a legal or illegal drug — you have intense cravings for it. You want to use the drug intense cravings for it. You want to use the drug again and again. When you stop taking it, you again and again. When you stop taking it, you may have unpleasant physical reactions.may have unpleasant physical reactions.

While not everyone who uses drugs becomes While not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, many people do. Drug addiction addicted, many people do. Drug addiction involves compulsively seeking to use a involves compulsively seeking to use a substance, regardless of the potentially negative substance, regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological and physical social, psychological and physical consequences. Certain drugs, such as narcotics consequences. Certain drugs, such as narcotics and cocaine, are more likely to cause physical and cocaine, are more likely to cause physical dependence than are other drugs.dependence than are other drugs.

Breaking a drug addiction is difficult, but not Breaking a drug addiction is difficult, but not impossible. Support from your doctor, family, impossible. Support from your doctor, family, friends and others who have a drug addiction, as friends and others who have a drug addiction, as well as inpatient or outpatient drug addiction well as inpatient or outpatient drug addiction treatment, may help you beat your drug treatment, may help you beat your drug dependence. dependence.

II. CausesII. Causes

Drug use or abuse crosses the line into drug addiction Drug use or abuse crosses the line into drug addiction when you feel you have to have the drug, and you when you feel you have to have the drug, and you increase the amount of the drug you take. Various increase the amount of the drug you take. Various factors, such as your personality, your genetic makeup factors, such as your personality, your genetic makeup and peer pressure, affect your likelihood of becoming and peer pressure, affect your likelihood of becoming addicted to a drug. In addition, some drugs, such as addicted to a drug. In addition, some drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, more quickly produce a physical heroin and cocaine, more quickly produce a physical addiction than other drugs do for many people.addiction than other drugs do for many people.

Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug alters reward pathways in your brain. The a drug alters reward pathways in your brain. The addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain.cells (neurons) in your brain.

Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. Neurons release neurotransmitters into the communicate. Neurons release neurotransmitters into the gaps (synapses) between nerve cells; neurotransmitters gaps (synapses) between nerve cells; neurotransmitters are received by receptors on other neurons and on their are received by receptors on other neurons and on their own cell bodies. The changes that occur in this own cell bodies. The changes that occur in this communication process vary with the type of drug to communication process vary with the type of drug to which you're addicted, though researchers have which you're addicted, though researchers have discovered that addictive drugs, such as cocaine and discovered that addictive drugs, such as cocaine and morphine, affect some areas of the brain in the same morphine, affect some areas of the brain in the same manner. If further research confirms findings such as manner. If further research confirms findings such as this, it would be possible to develop more effective this, it would be possible to develop more effective medications to combat addiction to more than one drug.medications to combat addiction to more than one drug.

III. When to seek medical adviceIII. When to seek medical advice Addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder, Addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder,

meaning you tend to fall back into old meaning you tend to fall back into old addictive behaviors, including drug use, addictive behaviors, including drug use, even after treatment. The sooner you seek even after treatment. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances are for a help, the greater your chances are for a long-term recovery. If you're initially long-term recovery. If you're initially reluctant to approach a doctor, help lines reluctant to approach a doctor, help lines or hot lines may be a good place to start to or hot lines may be a good place to start to learn about treatment. You can find these learn about treatment. You can find these lines listed in the phone book or on the lines listed in the phone book or on the Internet.Internet.

Because denial is often a characteristic of Because denial is often a characteristic of addiction, many people who are addicted addiction, many people who are addicted to or who abuse drugs won't seek medical to or who abuse drugs won't seek medical treatment on their own. Family members, treatment on their own. Family members, friends or co-workers may need to friends or co-workers may need to persuade the user to undergo screening for persuade the user to undergo screening for drug addiction. Breaking a drug addiction drug addiction. Breaking a drug addiction may involve counseling, an outpatient may involve counseling, an outpatient treatment program or residential treatment.treatment program or residential treatment.

IV. ComplicationsIV. Complications Aside from the physical and psychological problems it Aside from the physical and psychological problems it

causes, dependence on drugs can create a number of causes, dependence on drugs can create a number of other disruptions in your life:other disruptions in your life:

Family.Family. Behavioral changes may cause marital or family Behavioral changes may cause marital or family strife. strife.

Work.Work. Work performance may decline, and you may be Work performance may decline, and you may be absent from work more often. absent from work more often.

Social.Social. You may lose or alienate longtime friends. You may lose or alienate longtime friends. School.School. Academic performance and motivation to excel Academic performance and motivation to excel

in school may suffer. in school may suffer. Legal.Legal. Stealing to support your drug addiction and Stealing to support your drug addiction and

driving while impaired are just two of the possible legal driving while impaired are just two of the possible legal problems drug addiction can cause. problems drug addiction can cause.

Financial.Financial. Spending money to support your habit takes Spending money to support your habit takes away money from your other needs, could put you into away money from your other needs, could put you into debt and could lead you into behaviors that are contrary debt and could lead you into behaviors that are contrary to your values. to your values.

Health.Health. Drug use and addiction has many physical Drug use and addiction has many physical consequences that vary depending on which drug you consequences that vary depending on which drug you use. Using drugs may make you more likely to use. Using drugs may make you more likely to participate in other unsafe behaviors, such as sharing participate in other unsafe behaviors, such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex, which can increase needles or having unprotected sex, which can increase your chances of contracting HIV or hepatitis. People who your chances of contracting HIV or hepatitis. People who are addicted to drugs are also at a higher risk of are addicted to drugs are also at a higher risk of overdosing because addicts need more and more of the overdosing because addicts need more and more of the drug to achieve the same feeling.drug to achieve the same feeling.

V. TreatmentsV. Treatments Treatment typically involves steps to help Treatment typically involves steps to help

you withdraw from using the drug, you withdraw from using the drug, followed by counseling and attending self-followed by counseling and attending self-help groups to help you resist using the help groups to help you resist using the addictive drug again.addictive drug again.

Withdrawal therapyWithdrawal therapyThe goal of withdrawal therapy The goal of withdrawal therapy (detoxification) is for you to stop taking (detoxification) is for you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as the addicting drug as quickly and safely as possible. Detoxification may involve possible. Detoxification may involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other substances, temporarily substituting other substances, such as methadone, that have less severe such as methadone, that have less severe side effects. For some people, it may be side effects. For some people, it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis; others may require outpatient basis; others may require placement in a hospital or a residential placement in a hospital or a residential treatment center.treatment center.

Withdrawal from different categories of Withdrawal from different categories of drugs produces different side effects and drugs produces different side effects and requires different approachesrequires different approaches

Another Treatments IAnother Treatments I Central nervous system stimulants.Central nervous system stimulants. Side effects of withdrawal typically include Side effects of withdrawal typically include

depression, fatigue, anxiety and intense cravings. In some cases, signs and depression, fatigue, anxiety and intense cravings. In some cases, signs and symptoms may include suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, paranoia and symptoms may include suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, paranoia and impaired contact with reality (acute psychosis). Treatment during withdrawal is impaired contact with reality (acute psychosis). Treatment during withdrawal is usually limited to emotional support from your family, friends and doctor. Your usually limited to emotional support from your family, friends and doctor. Your doctor may recommend medications to treat paranoid psychosis or depression. doctor may recommend medications to treat paranoid psychosis or depression.

Opioids.Opioids. Side effects of withdrawal of opioids, such as heroin, morphine, Side effects of withdrawal of opioids, such as heroin, morphine, oxycodone or codeine, can range from relatively minor to severe. On the minor oxycodone or codeine, can range from relatively minor to severe. On the minor end, they may include runny nose, sweating, yawning, feeling anxiety and craving end, they may include runny nose, sweating, yawning, feeling anxiety and craving the drug. Severe reactions can include sleeplessness, depression, dilated pupils, the drug. Severe reactions can include sleeplessness, depression, dilated pupils, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, high blood pressure, abdominal cramps, tremors, bone rapid pulse, rapid breathing, high blood pressure, abdominal cramps, tremors, bone and muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Doctors may substitute a synthetic opiate, and muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Doctors may substitute a synthetic opiate, such as methadone, to reduce the craving for heroin and to gently ease people away such as methadone, to reduce the craving for heroin and to gently ease people away from heroin. The most recently approved medication to ease withdrawal from from heroin. The most recently approved medication to ease withdrawal from opiates is buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex). Buprenorphine is a milder opioid opiates is buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex). Buprenorphine is a milder opioid that was approved in the United States to manage cravings in individuals who that was approved in the United States to manage cravings in individuals who decide to stop using stronger opiates. This drug is the first narcotic medication used decide to stop using stronger opiates. This drug is the first narcotic medication used for the treatment of addiction that may be prescribed in a doctor's office rather than for the treatment of addiction that may be prescribed in a doctor's office rather than a treatment center. a treatment center.

Another Treatments IIAnother Treatments II Continuing treatmentContinuing treatment

After detoxification, therapies such as counseling, addiction treatment programs and self-help group After detoxification, therapies such as counseling, addiction treatment programs and self-help group meetings can help you stay sober.meetings can help you stay sober.

Counseling.Counseling. Individual or family counseling with a psychologist, psychiatrist or addiction counselor may Individual or family counseling with a psychologist, psychiatrist or addiction counselor may help you resist the temptation to resume using addicting drugs. Behavior therapies can help you develop help you resist the temptation to resume using addicting drugs. Behavior therapies can help you develop ways to cope with your drug cravings, suggest strategies to avoid drugs and prevent relapse, and offer ways to cope with your drug cravings, suggest strategies to avoid drugs and prevent relapse, and offer suggestions on how to deal with a relapse if it occurs. Counseling also can involve talking about your job, suggestions on how to deal with a relapse if it occurs. Counseling also can involve talking about your job, legal problems and relationships with family and friends. Counseling with family members can help them legal problems and relationships with family and friends. Counseling with family members can help them to develop better communication skills and to be more supportive. to develop better communication skills and to be more supportive.

Treatment programs.Treatment programs. Treatment programs generally include educational and therapy sessions focused on Treatment programs generally include educational and therapy sessions focused on establishing sobriety and preventing relapse. This may be accomplished in individual, group or family establishing sobriety and preventing relapse. This may be accomplished in individual, group or family sessions. These programs are available in various settings from outpatient to residential and inpatient sessions. These programs are available in various settings from outpatient to residential and inpatient programs. programs.

Self-help groups.Self-help groups. Many, though not all, of these groups tend to use the 12-step model first developed by Many, though not all, of these groups tend to use the 12-step model first developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, exist for people addicted to Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, exist for people addicted to drugs, such as cocaine, sedatives and narcotics. The message is that addiction is a chronic disorder with a drugs, such as cocaine, sedatives and narcotics. The message is that addiction is a chronic disorder with a danger of relapse and that ongoing maintenance treatment — which may include medications, counseling danger of relapse and that ongoing maintenance treatment — which may include medications, counseling and attending self-help group meetings — is necessary to prevent a relapse. Your doctor or counselor can and attending self-help group meetings — is necessary to prevent a relapse. Your doctor or counselor can help you locate a self-help group. You also can find listings for self-help groups in the phone book, at the help you locate a self-help group. You also can find listings for self-help groups in the phone book, at the library and on the Internet. library and on the Internet.

VI. PreventionVI. Prevention The best way to prevent an addiction to an illegal drug is The best way to prevent an addiction to an illegal drug is

not to take the drug at all. Your doctor may prescribe not to take the drug at all. Your doctor may prescribe narcotics to relieve pain, benzodiazepines to relieve narcotics to relieve pain, benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety or insomnia, or barbiturates to relieve anxiety or insomnia, or barbiturates to relieve nervousness or irritation. Doctors prescribe these nervousness or irritation. Doctors prescribe these medications at safe doses and monitor their use so that medications at safe doses and monitor their use so that you're not given too great a dose or for too long a time. If you're not given too great a dose or for too long a time. If you feel you need to take more than the prescribed dose you feel you need to take more than the prescribed dose of a medication, talk to your doctor.of a medication, talk to your doctor.

Parents can take the following steps to help prevent drug Parents can take the following steps to help prevent drug dependency in their children:dependency in their children:

Communicate.Communicate. Talk to your children about the risks of Talk to your children about the risks of drug use and abuse. drug use and abuse.

Listen.Listen. Be a good listener when your children talk about Be a good listener when your children talk about peer pressure, and be supportive of their efforts to resist peer pressure, and be supportive of their efforts to resist it. it.

Set a good example.Set a good example. Don't abuse alcohol or addictive Don't abuse alcohol or addictive drugs. Children of parents who abuse drugs are at greater drugs. Children of parents who abuse drugs are at greater risk of drug addiction. risk of drug addiction.

Strengthen the bond.Strengthen the bond. Work on your relationship with Work on your relationship with your children. A strong, stable bond between you and your children. A strong, stable bond between you and your child will reduce your child's risk of using or your child will reduce your child's risk of using or abusing drugs.abusing drugs.

VII. Coping SkillsVII. Coping Skills Along with counseling and attending self-help Along with counseling and attending self-help

groups, talk with your doctor or counselor about groups, talk with your doctor or counselor about other ways you can boost your chances of other ways you can boost your chances of staying drug-free. Following are some staying drug-free. Following are some suggestions:suggestions:

Give yourself time.Give yourself time. For most people, it takes For most people, it takes about three months before significant about three months before significant improvement occurs, so don't give up on your improvement occurs, so don't give up on your treatment program too soon. treatment program too soon.

Promptly seek treatment for other mental Promptly seek treatment for other mental health disorders.health disorders. Since people with other Since people with other mental health problems, such as depression, are mental health problems, such as depression, are twice as likely to become addicted to drugs, seek twice as likely to become addicted to drugs, seek immediate treatment from a qualified mental immediate treatment from a qualified mental health professional if you have any signs or health professional if you have any signs or symptoms of mental illness. symptoms of mental illness.

Avoid high-risk situations.Avoid high-risk situations. Don't go back to Don't go back to the neighborhood where you used to get your the neighborhood where you used to get your drugs. And, stay away from your old drug drugs. And, stay away from your old drug crowd. crowd.

VIII. Signs and symptomsVIII. Signs and symptoms General signs and symptomsGeneral signs and symptoms

Addiction to any drug may include these Addiction to any drug may include these general characteristics:general characteristics:

Feeling that you need the drug regularly Feeling that you need the drug regularly and, in some cases, many times a day and, in some cases, many times a day

Making certain that you maintain a supply Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug of the drug

Failing repeatedly in your attempts to stop Failing repeatedly in your attempts to stop using the drug using the drug

Doing things to obtain the drug that you Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing normally wouldn't do, such as stealing

Feeling that you need the drug to deal with Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems your problems

Driving or doing other activities that place Driving or doing other activities that place you and others at risk of physical harm you and others at risk of physical harm when you're under the influence of the when you're under the influence of the drug drug

The particular signs and symptoms of drug The particular signs and symptoms of drug use and dependence vary depending on the use and dependence vary depending on the type of drugtype of drug

Connected to LifeConnected to Life

How is drug addiction connected to life?How is drug addiction connected to life? Our environmental surroundings now is the one whose greatly affected Our environmental surroundings now is the one whose greatly affected

by this matter. It affects our lives as an individual and connected through by this matter. It affects our lives as an individual and connected through the influence of the other people that surrounds us. We have been the influence of the other people that surrounds us. We have been influenced also by media, because of that, we do that things that made us influenced also by media, because of that, we do that things that made us to be one of the people who are involved in this what we called “DRUG to be one of the people who are involved in this what we called “DRUG ADDICTION”. This matter may consider to be as a serious one that should ADDICTION”. This matter may consider to be as a serious one that should be given a lot of attention. We could have done this through the be given a lot of attention. We could have done this through the information that are now scattered through technological devices. Those information that are now scattered through technological devices. Those information may include important things that we should have know. This information may include important things that we should have know. This are the signs and symptoms; preventions; treatments and causes.are the signs and symptoms; preventions; treatments and causes.

We should be aware of this matter for it would enable as to fight this We should be aware of this matter for it would enable as to fight this “DRUG ADDICTION”. Life is important, we should not waste it.“DRUG ADDICTION”. Life is important, we should not waste it.

Personal ReflectionPersonal Reflection

After doing this research, we’ve learned that taking drugs After doing this research, we’ve learned that taking drugs takes a lot of responsibilities and awareness of what would be takes a lot of responsibilities and awareness of what would be the effect of the certain drugs.the effect of the certain drugs.

At first, we’ll maybe think that the drugs that appears so At first, we’ll maybe think that the drugs that appears so small in our eyes would not do any harm but just treat a lot of small in our eyes would not do any harm but just treat a lot of diseases but the truth is that once you take it without fully diseases but the truth is that once you take it without fully responsibilities and awareness it would surely put your life responsibilities and awareness it would surely put your life into a miserable situation.into a miserable situation.

For us not to get involved with this horrible situation, all we For us not to get involved with this horrible situation, all we have to do is to strengthen our faith to God and put him at the have to do is to strengthen our faith to God and put him at the center of our life because it was said: “Put God at the center of center of our life because it was said: “Put God at the center of your life and everything will be alright”. your life and everything will be alright”.

My Future PlanMy Future Plan

If ever God will give me a chance to live my life longer, my If ever God will give me a chance to live my life longer, my future plan would be the following:future plan would be the following:

*I wouldn’t let drugs ruined my life and the people I loved.*I wouldn’t let drugs ruined my life and the people I loved. *I would conduct an organization that would fight against drug *I would conduct an organization that would fight against drug

addiction.addiction. *I would rather spend my time doing more important things *I would rather spend my time doing more important things

than get involved in drugs.than get involved in drugs. *I would encourage my fellow youth who are already under the *I would encourage my fellow youth who are already under the

spirit of drugs to rehabilitate.spirit of drugs to rehabilitate. I would do my very best to put all of this not only in word but I would do my very best to put all of this not only in word but

in reality.in reality.