Drug Abuse and Addiction: What You Need to Know

Drug issues are one of the hardest problems to solve. Not only do they affect the physical, mental, and emotional health of the user, but their families as well. What’s even trickier about them is that you won’t realize the problem exists, not until they have become a lot worse.

The reason why this happens is because people misinterpret drug abuse and drug addiction, thinking that they’re the same. In fact, they have more differences than similarities, and knowing these help you avoid them and help other people who might have the same issues.

You don’t need to wait to get checked into a drug rehab to save yourself from drugs. You can protect yourself as early as now by learning what they really are!

Drug Addiction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drug addiction is a disorder caused by a person’s physical and psychological dependence on using drugs. This happens because of the constant intoxication of the body. Through time, a drug addict feels the need to increase the dosage and continue taking the drug, despite its unfavorable effects on the body.

Drug Abuse

Meanwhile, drug abuse is the act of using illegal drugs or going beyond the acceptable dosage of a legal drug. The illegal ones can be purchased from drug dealers and syndicates, while the legal drugs can be easily bought from any pharmacy, but are used for personal purposes instead of medical.

The Causes

Drug users don’t have control over their bodies that’s why they continue taking illegal drugs even when they know they are harmful. They feel the urge to take them because they experience unpleasant feelings if they don’t take them, known as withdrawal symptoms. The effects of withdrawal overrides any logical thoughts and clouds their thinking.

On the other hand, the most common reason why people abusively use drugs is because of stress, lifestyle, and the way the drugs make them feel. These people still need them to go about their daily lives. Take for example Elvis Presley who took prescription drugs on a constant basis even though he didn’t need them “medically.”

The reason? He needed to be physically active and perform well in his concerts. Though it may have helped his performances, the drugs were slowly having serious adverse effects on his body and which ultimately caused his death.

Getting Over Drug Abuse and Addiction

There’s nothing good about doing drugs. They might be pleasurable at first, but there are a lot of negative consequences once the ‘feel good’ experience has faded. Skin irritation, regular nose bleeding, kidney failure, brain damage, and heart attack are some of the effects. Not to mention that your emotional and mental wellbeing will also deteriorate.

But there’s still hope.

You own your body, and you can control yourself whichever way you like. Self-discipline is the key to redemption. Surround yourself with the right people, have an optimistic outlook on life, and seek the help of professionals. When you do, then you’ll surely live a better life.