drug addiction

Drug addiction

I . Introduction

Drug addiction is the state of psychic or physical dependence , or both on a dangerous drug , arising in a person following the administration or use of drug on a periodic or continuous basis . Drug addiction implies a habit . Cultivation of such habit , against medical advice and for reasons wholly unjustified , contradicts natural law . Such abuse of drugs and chemicals effect adversely the mind and body . Many crimes besides are traced to drug addiction

Drug addiction may also call as drug dependence . Psychic dependence sometimes called drug

habituation , is characterized by a strong emotional drive to take a drug . Among the drugs that can produce psychic dependence are marijuana and such stimulants as cocaine and amphetamines . Persons habituated to drugs often can be helped in breaking their habit by psychiatric counseling and treatment (Julien 2003

Psychic and physical dependence , often called drug addiction , has all the characteristics of psychic dependence plus a physical , or bodily need for the drug . In physical dependence , severe physical reactions called withdrawal symptoms , occur of the drug is withheld from the user The symptoms , which last for a week or two , include vomiting , cramps delirium , unconsciousness , and other reactions that are both painful and frightening

In many cases of physical dependence , a tolerance to the drug develops That is , the effect of the drug diminishes if the same dose is taken repeatedly , and in most cases the user must increase the dose to achieve the desired effect . Drugs that produce both a psychic and a physical dependence include narcotics and such sedatives as barbiturates

If there is physical dependence on a drug , treatment is usually twofold - withdrawal therapy followed by psychiatric therapy . In withdrawal therapy , the user is given smaller and smaller doses of the drug each day until the threat of developing severe withdrawal symptoms disappears . Sometimes a drug with less severe withdrawal symptoms is substituted for the original drug , and the less potent drug is then slowly withdrawn . In general , treatment of drug addiction is difficult and relapses are frequent (Julien , 2003

In heroin addiction considerable success has been attained with methadone maintenance programs . Methadone is itself a narcotic , but unlike heroin it can be taken orally once a day rather than injected several times a day the user does not develop a tolerance to it and the user can obtain it legally from federally controlled facilities Some experts , however , say it is morally and socially unacceptable to replace one addicting drug (heroin ) with another (methadone

II . Discussion

A . Causes and Prevention

The factors that lead to misuse or abuse of drugs are many , varying with the individual . Researchers do not know precisely why a person becomes dependent on drugs . Theories range from those emphasizing psychiatric diss to those stressing genetic makeup

Often drugs are taken because they allow the user - at least temporarily - to evade frustrations , depression , and feelings of alienation , or to escape from problems . Easy access to drugs of various sorts , pleasurable feelings brought about by...