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Group therapy opportunitiesSubstance abuse illnesses
If you're not sure what the problem might be, click
here to review our list of common symptoms to see if any of them sound
like you or your loved one.
Alcohol abuse is a
disease that involves desire for alcohol and continuing to drink even when
faced with alcohol-related job, legal, social, health, or family problems.
Alcohol abuse can progress to alcoholism. Alcoholism is a condition in
which the individual is physically dependent on the effects of alcohol to
avoid symptoms of withdrawal.
Several factors
contribute to alcohol abuse, including:
- Genes
- Brain chemicals that may be different than normal
- Social pressure
- Emotional stress
- Pain
- Depression and other mental health problems
- Problem drinking behaviors learned from family or friends
Risk factors include:
- Sex: male
- Alcohol use
- Family members who abuse alcohol (especially men whose fathers or
brothers are alcoholic)
- Using illicit drugs
- Peer pressure
- Easy access to alcoholic beverages
- Psychiatric disorders, such as depression or anxiety
- Smoking
For more information
click
here.
Drug abuse is a disease
characterized by continued misuse of drugs even when faced with
drug-related job, legal, health, or family difficulties. Problems
associated with drug abuse must have existed a minimum of 12 months to
meet the diagnosis.
Drug dependence refers to
long-term, compulsive drug use, perhaps with attempts to stop but
repeatedly returning to drugs. Drug dependence also means that your body
has begun to require the drug in higher and higher doses in order to avoid
withdrawal symptoms.
Drug abuse and drug
dependence are not terms that should be used to describe people who are
taking appropriate dosages of prescribed drugs (pain medication, for
example) and who have become physically dependent on them. Diagnosis of
both drug abuse and drug dependence requires the presence of behavioral
symptoms.
Some of the most commonly
abused substances include:
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Morphine
- LSD
- Marijuana
- Sedatives
- Speed
- PCP
- Ecstasy
- Legal drugs that are used improperly or without a prescription, such
as:
- Narcotic painkillers
- Amphetamines
- Drugs for treating anxiety
- Sleeping pills
Problems associated with
drug abuse must have existed a minimum of 12 months to meet the diagnosis.
Drug dependence refers to
long-term, compulsive drug use, perhaps with attempts to stop but
repeatedly returning to drugs. Drug dependence also means that your body
has begun to require the drug in higher and higher doses in order to avoid
withdrawal symptoms.
Drug abuse and drug
dependence are not terms that should be used to describe people who are
taking appropriate dosages of prescribed drugs (pain medication, for
example) and who have become physically dependent on them. Diagnosis of
both drug abuse and drug dependence requires the presence of behavioral
symptoms.
The cause of drug abuse
and dependence is unknown, although there are a variety of theories. One
theory holds that there may be a genetic component that predisposes a
person toward using and abusing drugs. Another theory is that drug abuse
is a learned behavior and that people begin to use drugs by copying the
behavior of those around them. Medical professionals have not been able to
target a specific cause.
Brain chemicals may alter
the user's perception of the drug's effects. Long-term drug use changes
brain function and may reinforce the desire to keep using drugs regardless
of the consequences.
Risk factors include:
- Family members with substance abuse problems
- Drug use
- Age: youth
- Social and peer pressure
- Stress
- Associating with people who abuse drugs
- Sex: male
- Easy access to drugs
- Depression
- Panic disorders
For more information
click
here.
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