There are mainly two types of drugs that people will abuse: legal prescription medications from a doctor or illegal drugs that are sold on the street. Prescription drugs that get abused include opioids for pain, benzodiazepines for anxiety, and stimulants for attention deficit disorders, and obesity. Illegal drugs that are abused include heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine, ecstasy-molly- LSD, marijuana, and other hallucinogen stimulants such as Flakka, GHB, PCP, and others. Regardless of the legal status, all of these drugs cause addiction and are well-liked by people who abuse drugs. Today one issue surrounding drug abuse is the problem of polydrug use. Now more than ever, drug users are combining different drugs to get ‘higher.’
Mixing drugs is never safe because the effects from combining drugs may be stronger and more unpredictable than one drug alone, and even deadly. (CDC)
Why Do People Use Drugs?
The reason anyone uses a drug is to change how they feel. Even prescription medications that are prescribed to minimize pain, anxiety, or other symptoms essentially change how the individual is feeling. In the case of drug abuse, there is no other reason to use drugs other than to feel different or better. Then some people do not like the effects of drugs and decide right away not to use them again. The difference in why one person will enjoy the effects of a drug and another will not do with the individual’s mental and emotional health. For example, if someone is not optimistic about their life, taking a drug will change their outlook. Whether a person wants to numb physical pain, calm anxiety, feel more relaxed, wake up, or forget about their day- the goal is the same- to feel better.
Drug Abuse Leads to Addiction?
When someone engages in drug abuse, their lives are likely to be out of control. They may have started to have trouble with their job or school and their relationships. Some people who start having negative experiences because of the drug will stop. But, unfortunately, others will not stop and find a way to keep taking drugs. Addiction occurs when a person first abuses drugs and desires the effects regardless of the consequences. Then there are some types of drugs that cause physical dependence, and even though the person may not want to use the drugs, they must use them to avoid getting sick. Drug abuse rarely ends after one use. The only way for a person to protect themselves from getting addicted is never to try drugs. Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. (NIDA)
What Do Professionals Say About Drug Abuse?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides simple answers to why a person will begin using drugs. They highlight four common reasons people use drugs.
- To feel good. Drugs can produce intense feelings of pleasure.
- To feel better. Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress, and depression start using drugs to feel less anxious.
- To do better. Some people feel pressure to improve their focus in school or at work or their abilities in sports.
- Curiosity and social pressure. In this respect, teens are particularly at risk because peer pressure can be extreme.
Which Drugs Are Most Dangerous?
All drugs are dangerous and the effects of drug abuse harm the family, community, and the person using them. However, certain drugs will cause more damage and for longer. Heroin and opioids cause long-term addiction as these drugs cause physical dependency. The physical dependence on opioids means that even though the person wants to stop, they can’t because of the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Opioid addicts remain on opioids most often for years, even decades. Physical addiction also occurs but does not last as long with benzodiazepines. Alcohol also causes physical dependence but causes death faster, ending the addiction sooner because of the toxic nature of alcohol on the liver and organs.
What Drug Abuse Programs Work? Why Evoke Wellness Coconut Creek?
The best drug abuse and addiction treatment programs will start with medically supervised drug or alcohol detox. The next critical step is to attend a long-term treatment program that is substance-specific and evidence-based. The new gold standard is for all newly recovering addicts and alcoholics to remain in treatment for a minimum of 3 months and preferably six months. Without long-term therapy and recovery-centered counseling, the person will not be ready and willing to stay clean and sober. Untreated drug abuse most often leads to long-term addictions or dangerous polydrug use that causes overdose. We can help you enter recovery and remain in recovery. So don’t look back at drug-induced lifestyles. Instead, look ahead to drug-free successes in life. Call to begin today.
