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What is an addiction?

January 15, 2011 By

An addiction is a compulsion to do something, despite the individual being aware that their actions have negative consequences. People often become addicted to something as a result of it making them feel better. They associate taking drugs, drinking, smoking, for example, with feeling better and start to do it more often. Most addictions arise from experimentation and a casual habit quickly becomes a consuming addiction.

Why do people take drugs?

There are many reasons why people may take drugs. Most people with drug addictions start by experimenting with drugs; for example, they may try a drug because their friends are taking it or they have seen an article about it in a newspaper or magazine. Some people take drugs as a means for escaping from their daily life; for a while they forget about their normal life and are allowed to live in a kind of parallel world where their problems don’t exist. Many people also use drugs to get ‘high’; this is common with ‘party drugs’ and people take them to have a good time and last the night. Many people also use drugs as a coping mechanism; this is common if somebody is experiencing difficulties in their personal life, they have lost their job or lost a loved one, for example.

How does taking drugs affect the body?

Drugs have an unpredictable effect on the body. Some people may experience no symptoms after they take drugs, while others may become seriously ill. In some cases, taking drugs can cause death. Drugs have been linked to several mental and physical conditions, including:

  • Increased risk of heart attacks
  • Heart palpitations
  • High blood pressure
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Liver and kidney problems
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Schizophrenia
  • Paranoia

What effect does alcohol have on the body?

In the short-term, drinking alcohol causes people to become chatty, confident and giggly but as you drink more, you may become confused and dizzy and you may start to lose your balance. If you drink a lot in a short space of time, you will probably struggle to walk, you may vomit and you may pass out. If somebody passes out after drinking a lot, there is a chance that they could choke on their vomit, which can cause death.

When you wake up after a night of heavy drinking, you will probably have a hangover. This is because your body is dehydrated and your liver is struggling to process the alcohol in your system.

In the long-term, heavy drinking can contribute to a number of serious conditions, including:

  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Hepatitis and damage to the liver
  • Heart disease
  • Increased risk of certain forms of cancer, including stomach and oral cancer

How does smoking affect the body?

Smoking is very damaging to the body; smoking can contribute to illnesses and conditions, including:

  • Several forms of cancer, including lung, cervical, stomach, bladder, oral and liver cancer
  • Increased risk of heart disease
  • Respiratory illnesses, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia
  • Asthma
  • osteoporosis

What help is available for people with addictions?

There is a great deal of help available to people with addictions, both through the NHS and charities; there are also many private clinics who offer help for people with addictions. If you want help, your first point of contact should be your GP. They can refer you to the right people and ensure that you get the relevant help.

If you are worried about a loved one, try to talk to them about it and if they won’t admit that they have a problem, seek help from somebody else. You can arrange to see your GP or contact charities, such as FRANK and Adfam, which is designed especially for family members, for advice and support.

Filed Under: Addictions Tagged With: ,

Illegal drug use

January 15, 2011 By

Despite government efforts to prevent drug use, illegal drug use is still extremely common in the UK. Government figures from 2008/2009 showed that 10.1% of adults aged between 16 and 59 used illicit drugs within the last year and 3.7% of adults used Class A drugs during this time. The same report showed that 15 percent of children aged between 11 and 15 took drugs within the last year.

Which types of drug are used most commonly?

Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug. Other commonly used illegal drugs include cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, LSD, ecstasy (also known as MDMA). Drugs are generally classified into three categories, according to the effect they have on the body; these are:

  • Hallucinogens: these drugs make people hear, see and feel things that are not actually real. The most well-known example of a hallucinogen is LSD.
  • Stimulants: these drugs make people feel energised, hyperactive and ‘high’. Examples include cocaine.
  • Depressants: these drugs make people feel drowsy and relaxed; heroin is an example of a depressant.

Drugs and the law

Most drugs are illegal in the UK under the Misuse of Drugs Act; drugs are classified according to the risks they present to the individual. Drugs are classified as Class A, Class B and Class C; Class A is the most dangerous. Examples of Class A drugs include heroin, ecstasy and cocaine, examples of Class B drugs include cannabis, barbiturates and amphetamines and examples of Class C drugs include tranquilisers and ketamine.

The Misuse of Drugs Act states that it is illegal to be in the possession of controlled substances; it is also illegal to sell drugs or intend to sell drugs. The penalties for the possession of drugs are severe; possession of Class A substances carries a 7 year jail sentence, an unlimited fine or both, while dealing Class A substances may carry a life sentence, an unlimited fine, or both.

Why do people take illegal drugs?

There are many reasons why an individual may take illegal drugs; these include:

  • Getting ‘high’: many people take drugs if they are going out for the night, for example, to give them the energy and buzz they need to last the night.
  • Peer pressure: many people, especially young people, take drugs because their friends take drugs and they feel they need to fit in with the crowd.
  • Escape: some people take drugs as a form of escape or a distraction from their everyday life.
  • Coping mechanism: some people take drugs as a form of coping mechanism; if they experience a loss, or they lose their job or are under financial pressure, they turn to drugs rather than facing the situation.
  • Habit: once people start taking illegal drugs, they may become addicted very quickly. Once somebody has an addiction, they will continue to take drugs on a regular basis and this will become the ‘norm’ for them.
Filed Under: Addictions, Drug Addiction Tagged With: , ,

Prescription drug addiction

January 15, 2011 By

Addiction to prescription drugs is becoming an increasingly common problem. Prescription drug addiction is different to other drug addictions because the drug was originally prescribed to help the individual. However, when a person becomes addicted to prescription drugs they become hooked in the same way that a person becomes hooked on illegal drugs and their addiction can have very serious implications for their health.

What is prescription drug addiction?

An addiction is consuming and changes the way an individual behaves. If somebody has an addiction to prescription drugs, this will change the way they take the drugs and the reason why they take the drugs. Initially, the doctor will prescribe a drug to treat a condition or ease the symptoms associated with an illness or condition. The patient will take the drug in order to make them feel better and their condition will hopefully be cured or their symptoms will improve. In the case of an addict, they will continue to take the drug, despite the absence of illness, because they like the way it makes them feel. As they become increasingly dependent on the drug, they will start to experience cravings for the drug and they may experience withdrawal symptoms between doses.

Which kinds of drugs do people become addicted to?

People can become addicted to a variety of different drugs but the most common addictions are opioids, which are used for pain relief, depressants (commonly known as tranquilisers or sedatives), which are prescribed to reduce anxiety and pain and provide a sense of wellbeing, and stimulants, which are prescribed to increase mental alertness, increase heart rate and blood pressure and increase energy levels.

Spotting the signs of prescription drug addiction

Prescription drug addiction can be more difficult to spot than other types of drug addiction because the drug is legal and comes from a doctor. This means that the addiction is easier to cover up. Here are some signs of prescription drug addiction to look out for:

  • Do you exaggerate your symptoms or make up symptoms in order to get another prescription?
  • Do you experience mood swings?
  • Do you feel guilty when you take drugs?
  • Do you turn down alternative treatments so that you can stay on medication?
  • Do you try and see other doctors to get more medication?
  • Have you tried to look for other pills in the house or taken somebody else’s tablets?
  • Do you exceed the recommended dose of your medication?
  • Do you make up excuses to get more drugs?
  • Do you become irritable or aggressive if you do not take drugs or you are running out of pills?
  • Has your addiction started to cause problems with family members and loved ones?

Help for prescription drug addiction

There are various treatment methods available for people with prescription drug addictions, including rehabilitation centres and programmes, outpatient treatment and one to one counselling and therapy sessions. Drug prevention is important in the treatment of prescription drug addiction. However, it is important to gradually come off the drugs under medical supervision, as suddenly stopping taking drugs will cause very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

If you think you have a problem with prescription drugs, or you are worried that somebody you know has a problem, arrange to see your GP. Your GP will discuss the situation with you and suggest an appropriate course of action with you. They will be able to explain treatment options to you and explain what is going to happen. If you do not want to talk to your GP, you can contact FRANK or get in touch with the Samaritans or Narcotics Anonymous.

Filed Under: Addictions, Prescription Medicine Tagged With:

Nicotine addiction

January 15, 2011 By

A nicotine addiction can have serious implications for your physical, mental and social wellbeing. Most people are aware of the serious health conditions associated with smoking, yet millions of people around the world continue to smoke. Smoking is directly linked to five million deaths around the world each year.

What is nicotine?

Nicotine, a substance from the tobacco plant, is the addictive component of a cigarette or cigar. Each cigarette contains approximately 10 milligrams of nicotine but the smoker only inhales around 1 or 2 milligrams; even this small amount is enough to get somebody hooked on smoking. Cigarettes are filled with thousands of harmful chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide, as well as nicotine.

Inhaling nicotine causes changes in the brain and the rest of the body – nicotine increases blood pressure, raises the heart rate and affects breathing.

How does smoking affect health?

Smoking is extremely damaging to the body and prolonged smoking poses serious risks to health. Smoking has been directly linked to the following illnesses and conditions:

  • Several forms of cancer, including liver, lung, stomach, cervical, bladder and oral cancer and leukaemia
  • Respiratory illnesses, including asthma, chronic bronchitis and asthma
  • Pneumonia
  • Cataracts
  • Gum disease and poor oral health
  • Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
  • Poor circulation
  • Brittle bones
  • Decreased fertility

Why should I give up smoking?

Giving up smoking will have instantaneous positive effects on your body. Your lungs will start to clear after a very short period of time and your breathing and circulation will improve. Your chance of having a heart attack will also be halved after a year of going smoke-free.

Giving up smoking will not only benefit your health, but it will also make a difference to your physical appearance. Your skin will look brighter and more youthful and your teeth and nails will look lighter. Giving up will save you a lot of money; if you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, you could save more than £2000 per year.

Support for giving up smoking and dealing with nicotine addiction

If you have a nicotine addiction you may suffer withdrawal symptoms which are hard to deal with if you give up very quickly. As a consequence you will probably be advised to give up gradually and use nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches, sprays and chewing gum. These products allow the patient to get nicotine without having to take in all the other harmful substances contained in cigarettes and cigars.

If you want to give up smoking and deal with your addiction, arrange to see your GP. They will assess your condition and the nature of your addiction by asking you a series of questions about your smoking habits and then suggest a suitable course of treatment. The NHS holds local support groups to help people give up smoking and nicotine therapy, which includes patches and gum, is also available on the NHS; you can also buy lozenges and chewing gum over the counter.

If you have a serious addiction you may be advised to undergo a course of counselling or behavioural therapy. This will help to determine the reasons behind your addiction and find ways to help you cope in the future without smoking.

Filed Under: Addictions, Smoking Tagged With: , ,

Drug prevention

January 15, 2011 By

Drug prevention is extremely important. Every year, it is estimated that 2,000 people die in England and Wales as a result of drug abuse and drugs are linked to social problems, including crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as contributing to severe mental and physical health problems.

Why is drug prevention important?

Drugs affect the body and the mind and can have very serious implications for psychological and physical health. Drugs also have consequences for other areas of an individual’s life.

Physiological effects of taking drugs:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Risk of hepatitis and HIV (from injecting drugs)
  • Risk of heart palpitations and heart attacks
  • Vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Loss of coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Cramps
  • Increased body temperature

Psychological effects of taking drugs:

  • Disturbed sleep patterns
  • Hallucinations
  • Paranoia
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Drug use is also linked to antisocial behaviour, crime, low educational achievement, high rates of unemployment, debt and financial problems and breakdown in personal relationships.

Forms of drug prevention

The effects of drug use differ according to individual cases, so a multi-faceted approach to drug prevention is required. There are many different ways of preventing people from taking drugs and helping people with existing drug problems, ranging from small-scale operations to national policies.

Local projects

Many drug charities and local authorities run local projects to help prevent people from taking drugs and helping people who are already taking drugs. Local projects often target areas of the community where drug problems are prevalent and introduce ways to keep people busy and off the streets, provide training and advice about getting a job and inform people about the effects and consequences of taking drugs.

Targeting young children

Children are vulnerable when it comes to taking drugs; they can be easily persuaded by others and are highly impressionable. Figures suggest that children are taking drugs at an earlier age than ever before, with some children as young as 10 or 11 trying illegal drugs. Many schools run classes and sessions about the effects of taking drugs. They use educational DVDs and real-life stories to highlight the dangers of taking drugs and try to give children the knowledge they need to make well-informed decisions in the future.

National policies

A number of policies and projects are in place across the UK to try and prevent drug use. Last month, the 2010 drug strategy was launched. The 2010 drug strategy, which is entitled, ‘Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: supporting people to live a drug-free life’ is focused on preventing drug use in the community and helping those who already have drug problems.

Filed Under: Addictions, Drug Addiction Tagged With:

Concerned about a loved ones drug use?

January 15, 2011 By

Drug addictions are very serious and can have far-reaching implications for family members and loved-ones, as well as the addict. If you are worried about a relative, here is help available for both you and the person you are worried about, so don’t suffer in silence.

Spotting the signs

Sometimes it is very difficult to notice a drug addiction, as addicts tend to be very secretive and will go to great lengths to justify their behaviour and hide any evidence of an addiction. Here are some signs to look out for if you are worried that your loved one may have a drug addiction:

  • Has your loved one become secretive?
  • Do they become defensive when you ask them about taking drugs?
  • Do they suffer from mood swings?
  • Do they have physical symptoms, such as bloodshot eyes, shivers, sweating, flushed skin, rashes or heart palpitations?
  • Do they have slurred speech and do they seem distant and dazed?
  • Have they stopped caring about other things in their life; do they cancel engagements, stop seeing friends and make excuses to get out of going out?
  • Does your loved one spend time away from home on a regular basis?
  • Are they secretive about money?
  • Have you discovered that money has been spent without you knowing or has money gone missing from your bank account or around the house?
  • Have they stopped caring about their appearance?
  • Are they emotional and irrational?

What to do if you think your loved one has a drug addiction

If you are worried about a loved one, try to talk to them about their problem. Be cautious and careful and don’t go steaming in. If they become very defensive, angry or irritated and do not want to talk to you, you should consider talking to somebody about your situation. You can contact charities such as FRANK and Adfam and you should consider going to your GP; if possible, try and persuade your loved one to go to the GP with you. GPs have experience of dealing with patients with addictions and they understand the nature of an addiction. They will be able to suggest an appropriate course of action for the individual and ensure that the individual and their relatives get the help and support they need.

Rehab is also an option – rehabilitation centres are specially designed to cater for people with serious addictions and will completely remove the individual from their old life. This can make it easier for them to give up, although giving up is a very challenging and long process.

Understanding addiction

It can be very difficult for people to understand addictions. In many cases, if you find out that a loved one has an addiction, you may just encourage them to give up, but an addiction is a serious illness which does not have a miracle cure. Addictions are all-consuming and it is very difficult for people who have not had an addiction to understand why people cannot give something up which is clearly causing them both physical and mental harm. It may also be difficult for relatives to understand the treatment pathway, as a quick fix is simply not possible. Relatives may be in favour of instant drug prevention, as a means of treatment, but this is not an advisable pathway as the individual will suffer from very strong withdrawal symptoms.

Filed Under: Addictions, Drug Addiction Tagged With:

Alcoholism treatment

January 15, 2011 By

Alcoholism is a common addiction, which is also known as alcohol dependence. When an individual is dependent on alcohol, they prioritise getting a drink over other things, such as their career and spending time with their family, they build a tolerance to alcohol and they continue to drink even though they are experiencing negative consequences and are aware of the possible implications for their health and social life.

There are a number of different treatment pathways for alcoholism, as people experience different symptoms and some people respond to treatments in different ways.

Admitting that you have an alcohol addiction

It’s a cliché but the first step of getting over an addiction is admitting that you have a problem. You may have a serious problem with alcohol if you think about drinking all the time, you prioritise drinking over other activities, you continue drinking even though you can’t afford it and you are aware of the negative consequences associated with drinking.

Many people may not realise that they have an alcohol addiction. They may assume that the amount they drink is normal and it may take them by surprise when somebody suggests that they are alcohol dependent.

In many cases, admitting that you have a problem is a massive wake-up call and compels people to go and get help as quickly as possible, but for some, it is almost impossible to admit to having a drink problem and they will continue to deny that they are dependent on alcohol.

Types of treatment

If you think you have a problem with alcohol, your first port of call should be your GP. Your GP will ask you questions about your alcohol consumption, as well as questions relating to the reasons why you drink. They may refer you for tests if they suspect that you have health problems associated with drinking and will start to sort out your treatment plan.

Counselling and behavioural therapy

Your GP may refer you for counselling or therapy. This will help you to determine why you drink and enable you to develop new ways of dealing with stress and negative situations.

Medication

You may be prescribed medication to help ease withdrawal symptoms, which may include sweating, tremors, anxiety, vomiting, hallucinations and seizures.

Support groups

Support groups have proven to be very effective in helping people get over alcohol addictions. Many people find it easier to give up when they are doing it alongside others in a similar situation. Your GP can refer you to a local alcohol support group.

Detoxification and rehabilitation

Detoxification is stopping drinking and cleansing the body. Detox involves stopping drinking and using medication to prevent withdrawal symptoms, which can be very intense. Residential rehabilitation involves individuals undertaking a programme, which usually involves one to one counselling sessions, group therapy, activities and therapy for loved ones. During rehabilitation, drug prevention is key; no alcohol is consumed and the individual is completely removed from their usual surroundings. Most rehabilitation programmes last for at least 12 weeks, though rehabilitation is usually recommended for people with serious addictions.

Filed Under: Addictions, Alcohol Abuse Tagged With: , ,

Alcohol abuse

January 15, 2011 By

Many people enjoy a casual drink or two, but for some drinking is a serious addiction. What starts as an occasional drink can quickly become a full blown dependence and it is estimated that 1 in 17 people in the UK are dependent on alcohol.

What is alcohol abuse?

Alcohol abuse is drinking irresponsibly; this may involve binge drinking or drinking heavily on a regular basis.

Binge drinking

Binge drinking is one of modern society’s greatest problems. In recent years, the number of people who binge drink has increased rapidly and you only have to walk into a town centre on a Friday or Saturday night to see the effects of binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short space of time with the aim of getting drunk.

Long term heavy drinking and alcohol dependence

Binge drinking is different from alcohol dependence. You are said to be dependent on alcohol if you feel a strong need to drink on a regular basis, plan your life around your next drink, suffer physical withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink for a while and continue to drink despite suffering negative consequences, such as physical illness, strained relationships and financial pressures.

Where can I go for help?

If you think you have a problem with alcohol and drinking is becoming an increasingly prominent activity in your life, arrange to see your GP. Your GP will ask you questions about how much you drink, what you drink, when you drink and why you drink, as well as asking about your general medical history. Your GP also refer you to a local alcohol support group. Many people find it easier to give up with the help of others and find it comforting to meet with other people in a similar situation.

Treating alcohol dependence

In addition to group support sessions, you may also be offered counselling or therapy to address psychological issues and help you to find ways to deal with stressful situations without drinking.

Some people choose to go into rehabilitation centres or attend courses or therapy programmes at these centres. This means you can be completely removed from your ‘old life’ and focus on the future and living without alcohol; rehabilitation is available from the NHS but may not be available for all patients. There are also many private rehabilitation clinics throughout the UK.

Although drug prevention is the key to treatment, stopping drinking overnight can actually be very dangerous, as the body is used to drinking on a daily basis and stopping suddenly will cause very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. It is therefore important that you seek medical help to assist you with giving up. Your GP should be your first point of contact but if you feel that you cannot speak to them, you can contact the national alcohol helpline, Drinkline or get in touch with Alcoholics Anonymous.

Filed Under: Addictions, Alcohol Abuse

Causes of drug addiction

January 15, 2011 By

Addiction is very complex and difficult to understand if you have never had an addiction before. Many people question why drug addicts keep taking drugs even though they know that their actions are damaging their health, their relationships with others and probably their bank account as well. Addiction is not straight-forward and there are several different reasons why people take drugs. Some people try them and never have them again, while others become hooked very quickly and before they know it they are faced with a consuming addiction.

Why do people try drugs?

Many people never touch drugs; they may have no interest in drugs, they may not want to take drugs because of the potential harm they might do to their body or they may have learned from the mistakes of people they know. However, many people do try drugs and this may be down to different reasons, including:

  • Experimentation and curiosity: many people try a drug because they are curious about what kind of effect it will have on them. A large proportion of people experiment with drugs, mostly when they are young.
  • Stress: some people try taking drugs because they are stressed and they don’t know how to deal with it in any other way.
  • Peer pressure: many people try drugs because their friends are doing it and they feel pressured to join in.
  • Culture: some people grow up in a culture where drugs are the ‘norm’; this is usually the case in deprived areas. There are now several projects in place to promote drug prevention and encourage young people to study, go to college or get a job.

Once people have tried taking drugs they may find that they enjoy the feeling the drugs give them. They may find that drugs give them an escape and a means of dealing with stressful or upsetting times or events. Often people never think that drug-taking will become an addiction for them, as they assume they will always have control over it and drugs will simply be a casual habit.

Why do people become addicted to drugs?

Some people can stick to a casual habit, but for others a pastime can quickly become an addiction. Drugs are very addictive and the more you use them, the more your body craves them. The body also becomes more tolerant so the amount of drugs you take will probably increase as your addiction becomes more severe.

There are many reasons why somebody may continue to take drugs, even though they are aware of the dangers associated with drug abuse; these include:

  • Denial: many people do not believe that they have a problem and think that they can give up taking drugs whenever they want to.
  • Fear: many people are worried about admitting that they have a problem because they are scared of telling people around them and scared of the treatment they will have to undergo.
  • Lack of other options: some people feel that there is nothing worth giving up drugs for.
  • Doubt: many people doubt that they can get clean.
Filed Under: Addictions, Drug Addiction Tagged With:

The latest in drug testing

January 15, 2011 By

Why are drug tests carried out?

Drug testing may be carried out for a number of reasons. Employers may carry out drug tests randomly on their employees, doctors may carry out drug tests to see if a patient has taken drugs and health professionals may use drug tests during rehabilitation programmes to see if a patient has managed to stay clean.

Drug tests may be carried out as a precaution or as a form of drug prevention; in some professions, routine drug tests are required. When a person has a drug addiction, a drug test may be carried out to determine whether the patient has managed to steer clear of drugs over a set period of time.

How is drug testing carried out?

There are different tests which may be carried out to see if a person has drugs in their system; these include:

  • Urine test: urine tests can be done very quickly; the sample will show up a range of different drugs and produces very accurate results in a matter of minutes. Urine tests can be done and interpreted on-site in hospitals, treatment centres and rehabilitation centres or they can be done and then sent away to a laboratory for testing.
  • Hair test: the hair test is very useful for measuring drug use over a long period of time. One centimetre of hair tends to reflect one month, as it takes around a month to grow one centimetre; this means that a 3cm piece of hair will show 3 months of drug use.

How long do drugs stay in the body?

Different types of drug stay in the body for different amounts of time:

  • Alcohol: alcohol stays in the body for approximately 1 hour per unit; if you drink a lot, it will stay in the body for longer.
  • Amphetamines: stay for 2-3 days
  • Cocaine: 1-2 days
  • Heroin: 1-2 days
  • Cannabis: 2-5 days; heavy users who smoke daily may still have cannabis in their system after 30 days.
  • Ecstasy: 1-5 days
Filed Under: Addictions, Drug Addiction Tagged With: ,
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