What are the "protective factors" in terms of addiction? Protective factors are the factors that help prevent drug abuse. Solid parenting and a good social environment are examples of factors that protect people from developing addictions.
Do you know that alcohol abuse accounts for about 50% of liver disease deaths in the United States? The most prevalent types of alcoholic liver disease are fatty liver, cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis.
When a person regularly uses drugs that cause increase in dopamine, the body starts producing less natural dopamine. This means he has to take more drugs to get the same effect, which means more risks of addiction and fatality.
According to the National Institute on Drug Use, education may have little to no effect on why someone becomes addicted. Biology, development, and the environment are the three most important factors that contribute to addiction.
“The mentality and behavior of drug addicts and alcoholics is wholly irrational until you understand that they are completely powerless over their addiction, and unless they have structured help, they have no hope.” – Russel Brand
According to a study, heavy marijuana smokers between the ages of 13 and 38 lose about 8 IQ points. This is enough to make heavy users struggle more with daily life.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol addiction alone costs the industry, the government, and the U.S. taxpayers an estimated $249 billion each year.
Impaired self-control is a true hallmark of drug addiction. Addicts may start to use alcohol or drugs voluntarily but eventually struggle with the self-control they have over substance use.
Synthetic cathinones, also known as drug bath salts, can be addictive for people looking for a cheap high. These stimulants can lead to the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which can be potentially fatal.
Alcohol is the most often abused substance in the United States. In fact, reports and studies have revealed that about six Americans die from alcohol poisoning every day.
“Addiction is just a way of trying to get at something else. Something bigger. Call it transcendence if you want, but it’s like a rat in a maze. The thing you want offers relief, but it’s a trap.” – Tess Callahan
Drug addiction is often characterized as a chronic, repeating disease of the brain. This is because the continued use of a drug alters the brain’s structure and functionality. The changes to your brain also cause changes in your mood or behavior.
A study has found that about 9% of people who use marijuana may develop an addiction to the drug. In fact, the younger you are when you try it for the first time, the more likely you'll develop an addiction to it.
An alarming report has revealed that overdose deaths attributed to prescription painkillers have tripled in the past 2 decades. More than 50% percent of people who have misused prescription opioids reported getting them from relatives or friends.
Genetic factors play a major role in addiction for many sufferers. In fact, a study has found that 40% to 60% of addiction may be caused by inherited factors.
“When was the last time you woke up and wished you’d had just one more drink the night before? I have never regretted not drinking. Say this to yourself, and you’ll get through anything.” – Meredith Bell
“I understood, through rehab, things about creating characters. I understood that creating whole people means knowing where we come from, how we can make a mistake and how we overcome things to make ourselves stronger.” – Samuel L. Jackson
Addiction affects the person’s self-control, but this doesn’t mean he pr she is bad. Such people should be treated with empathy and understanding. Try to boost their morale and willpower to quit addiction.
Alcoholism, when left untreated, can have a severe impact on your physical and emotional health. Some of the side-effects of alcoholism include heart disease, liver disease, alcohol poisoning, breast cancer, depression, digestive trouble, dementia, anxiety, and even death.
Addiction can be mild initially, but it can get worse over time. Repeated use of alcohol or drugs leads to changes in the brain that make it hard for the person to stop, even if they want to.
It is important to remember that addiction is a chronic illness. Just as a person with diabetes needs ongoing monitoring and support, addiction also needs to be managed continuously to avoid relapses.
How quickly can a person become addicted to a drug? This depends on the type of drug used and the person's sensitivity to the drug. Cocaine and heroin are among the most addictive drugs.