Addiction

The difference between substance abuse and addiction is very slight. Substance abuse means using an illegal substance or using a legal substance in the wrong way.  Addiction begins as abuse, or using a substance like marijuana or cocaine. It’s possible to be hooked emotionally/psychologically as well as physically.

Physical Addiction

Being physically addicted means a person's body actually becomes dependent on a particular substance (even smoking is physically addictive). It also means building tolerance to that substance, so that larger doses are needed to get the same effects.

Psychological Addiction

Psychological addiction happens when the cravings for a drug are psychological or emotional. People who are psychologically addicted feel overwhelmed by the desire to have a drug. They may lie or steal to get it.

An addicted person no longer feels like there is a choice in taking a substance.

While not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, many people do.  If there is a drug addiction, there are intense cravings for it.  Drug addiction involves compulsively seeking to use a substance, regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological and physical consequences. When one stops taking it, he or she may have unpleasant physical reactions. Certain drugs, such as narcotics and cocaine, are more likely to cause physical dependence than are other drugs. Drugs like crack or heroin are so addictive that they might only be used once or twice before the user loses control. An addicted person — whether it's a physical or psychological addiction or both — no longer feels like there is a choice in taking a substance.

The range of drugs to which you can become addicted is wide. The drugs include:

Cannabis compounds. These compounds are found in marijuana and hashish.

Central nervous system depressants. Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are examples of central nervous system depressants. Phenobarbital, amobarbital (Amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal) are examples of barbiturates. Benzodiazepines include tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), oxazepam (Serax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).

Central nervous system stimulants. This class of drugs includes amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine and methylphenidate (Ritalin).

Designer drugs. Synthetic compounds, such as Ecstasy, which has both amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic effects, are included in this category.

Hallucinogens. LSD, phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine (special K) are examples of hallucinogens.

Inhalants. Glue, paint, solvents and nitrous oxide can all be used as inhalant drugs.

Opioids. Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs produced naturally from opium or made synthetically. This class of drugs includes heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and oxycodone (Oxycontin).

Signs of Addiction

The most obvious sign of an addiction is the need to have a particular drug or substance.

Psychological Signs:

• use of drugs or alcohol as a way to relax or forget problems
• withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends
• loss of interest in activities that used to be important
• Feeling that you need the drug regularly, in some cases, many times a day
• changes in friendships, such as hanging out only with friends who use drugs
• making certain to maintain a supply of the drug or spending a lot of time figuring out how to get it
• stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs
• failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking
• anxiety, anger, or depression
• mood swings

Physical Signs:

• changes in sleeping habits
• feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop
• needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect
• changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain

Subutex (buprenorphine hydrochloride) and Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride)

Breaking a drug addiction is difficult, but not impossible. Subutex (buprenorphine hydrochloride) and Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride) is approved for the treatment of opiate dependence. Subutex and Suboxone treat opiate addiction by preventing symptoms of withdrawal from heroin and other opiates.

Source: MayoClinic.com

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