Drug Addiction, Abuse and Recovery

Drug addiction is a life-shattering illness. It rips families apart and breaks people down. It all starts with that one little hit and the thought that you can quit whenever you want. It has many end results: living on the streets, alienating your family and friends, death. For most addicts, drug addiction is a lifelong illness, with relapses even after long periods with no drug abuse. Drug Addiction is rarely arrested without the help of a drug rehab or drug treatment center.

A drug addict is defined as a person who is unable to live a normal life without drugs. He or she has a continuous craving for a certain drug. All aspects of his or her social life is disrupted because of this addiction. Addicts may be either mentally or physically dependent on a drug. The addict who is mentally dependent takes the drug to feel psychologically refreshed, mentally functional etc. The physically dependent drug addict shows physical signs if the substance is not available to them. Drug rehabilitation centers and alcohol rehab programs exist to help individuals who suffer from drug addiction and alcoholism recover.

Although addiction does begin when a person makes the choice to use drugs it is not just the abuse of the drugs themselves. Recent scientific studies have found evidence that drugs do not only interfere with normal brain functioning creating powerful feelings of euphoria, they also have long-term effects on the brain's metabolism and brain activity. Due to this, drug addicts are not able to just quit using, treatment is a necessity.

If you suffer from drug addiction or alcoholism then you know how it tears families apart and ruins lives. We strongly encourage that you check into a drug treatment center or alcohol rehab program and get the help you need. If your loved one has a drug problem, plan an intervention. There are many treatment centers available to help you and your loved ones. Available resources include: drug treatment centers, counseling, group meetings, intervention planning and much more. Don't delay, seek help now and get your life back on the right track.

Drug abuse and drug addiction resources:

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Alcoholism, Addiction, and Recovery - Support Resources, Quotes & Jokes - Updated One Day at a Time substance addictions - organizations - spirituality - health - music & radio - shops - daily diversions - Alcoholism and addictions can be fatal when untreated; if you or someone you know is still suffering, many find lasting recovery and want to help: for support resources, see the list of link categories.

* Addiction is a disease and should be characterized as such whether or not it is alcoholism, the broad spectrum of chemical dependency, or sex addiction, and should not be construed as an addict's lack of will power, personal strength, inability to make informed decisions, or personal fault of character. Genuine will power to overcome an addiction by addicts is manifested in their daily (minute by minute) struggle - battle - to overcome their addiction and recover to lead satisfying and productive lives.  For more information: Addiction and Genetics and Addiction Intervention and Interventionists

"Drug addiction is a brain disease. Although initial drug use might be voluntary, drugs of abuse have been shown to alter gene expression and brain circuitry, which in turn affect human behavior. Once addiction develops, these brain changes interfere with an individual’s ability to make voluntary decisions, leading to compulsive drug craving, seeking and use.

The impact of addiction can be far reaching. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and lung disease can all be affected by drug abuse. Some of these effects occur when drugs are used at high doses or after prolonged use, however, some may occur after just one use."

www.drugabuse.gov/consequences