Drug abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Drug abuse can lead to dependence and addiction. There are two main types of drug abuse: substance abuse and behavioral addiction.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse involves the use of drugs or alcohol. It includes the use of illegal drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as the inappropriate use of legal substances like prescription medications, inhalants, and more.
Common Drugs of Abuse
Some of the most commonly abused substances include:
– Alcohol: Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the central nervous system. Alcohol abuse can damage the liver, heart, and brain. Long-term alcohol abuse increases the risk of liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and more. Binge drinking and underage drinking are common forms of alcohol abuse.
– Tobacco: Nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive. Tobacco abuse via cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and causes coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, reproductive effects, and more. Secondhand smoke also causes disease.
– Marijuana: Marijuana contains THC, which creates mind-altering effects. Marijuana abuse can impair brain development in youth, exacerbate mental illnesses like schizophrenia, and cause breathing issues. Driving while high increases the risk of accidents.
– Opioids: Prescription opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine are often abused for their euphoric effects. Heroin is an illegal opioid that is highly addictive. Opioid abuse can slow or stop breathing, causing overdose and death. It also increases the risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other injection-related diseases.
– CNS depressants: These prescription medications slow brain activity. Some common abused CNS depressants are Xanax, Valium, Ambien, and tranquilizers. Their abuse can lead to drowsiness, shallow breathing, coma, and death.
– CNS stimulants: Stimulants like cocaine, methamphetamine, and Adderall speed up brain and body functions. Their abuse increases blood pressure, body temperature, and breathing rates. Long-term abuse can cause anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood problems, paranoia, aggression, hallucinations, and more.
– Hallucinogens: Hallucinogens like LSD, magic mushrooms, and PCP cause sensory distortions and “trips.” Flashbacks can occur long after use. Bad trips may cause psychosis, paranoia, aggression, violence and more.
– Inhalants: Inhalant abuse involves breathing in toxic fumes from household and industrial chemicals in order to get high. Abuse can damage the heart, kidneys, brain, and lungs. Sudden sniffing death syndrome can result.
Why Does Substance Abuse Occur?
There are many reasons why an individual may begin to abuse substances:
– To feel good – Drugs trigger the reward centers of the brain, releasing dopamine and endorphins. This creates temporary feelings of pleasure and euphoria.
– To self-medicate – Individuals with untreated mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and PTSD may use drugs to numb symptoms and emotional pain.
– To be social – Peer pressure and modeling drug use behaviors increase experimentation, especially among adolescents.
– To enhance performance – Some abuse stimulants to heighten alertness, focus, and energy for work, academics, athletics, or hobbies.
– To relax – Alcohol and depressants may be used to unwind, ease social anxiety, and promote drowsiness.
– To rebel – Some teens use drugs to defy their parents or authority figures. Others believe substance abuse is daring, risky, or cool.
– Early use – People who begin using substances at an early age have a higher risk of developing an addiction later in life.
– Genetics – A family history of addiction makes a person more biologically vulnerable to substance abuse issues.
– Trauma – Unresolved traumas or adverse life events increase the likelihood of drug abuse as a coping mechanism.
– Mental illness – Many mental health disorders are risk factors for substance abuse, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
Signs of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse can manifest in many different behavioral, psychological, physical, social, academic, and occupational signs:
-strong Cravings for the substance
– Needing more of the substance to get the same effect (tolerance)
– Development of withdrawal symptoms when not using
– Unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut back
– Spending a lot of time using, thinking about using, and figuring out how to get substances
– Giving up other interests and activities in favor of substance use
– Continued use despite physical, social, academic, or occupational problems
– Using in physically hazardous situations like driving or operating machinery
– falls Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
– Interpersonal relationship problems with family and friends related to substance use
– Legal issues like DUIs and arrests
– Financial difficulties due to spending money on substances
– Declining performance or attendance at work or school
– Secrecy and hiding substance use from others
– Mood changes like irritability, aggression, apathy, and mood swings
Risk Factors for Substance Abuse
Certain factors increase an individual’s risk of developing problems with drugs or alcohol:
– Family history – Genetic predisposition makes addiction more likely
– Mental health disorder – Self-medication of conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD
– Early drug use – Using substances as a teen affects brain development
– Trauma or abuse – Unresolved traumas increase reliance on substances to cope
– Peer drug use – Social drug availability and peer pressure influence use
– Poverty – Environmental stress increases risk of addiction
– Lack of parental support/monitoring – More freedom to access substances
– Risky personality traits – Impulsivity, aggression, and sensation-seeking
– Lack of consequences – No punishments or interventions leads to continued abuse
Effects of Substance Abuse
Drug and alcohol abuse can negatively impact someone’s life in many ways:
Physical health:
– Liver, kidney, heart, lung damage
– Cancer, stroke, nerve damage
– HIV, hepatitis B/C from shared needles
– Malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies
– Sexual/reproductive issues like infertility
– Physical dependence and painful withdrawal symptoms
Mental health:
– Memory and cognition problems, dementia
– Depression, anxiety, fatigue after use stops
– Distorted thinking, aggression, mood swings
– Psychosis – paranoia, hallucinations, delusions
– Suicidal thoughts and behavior
Social health:
– Relationship conflict, domestic violence, divorce
– Isolating from family and friends
– Lost productivity and attendance at work/school
– Financial hardship, debts, bankruptcy
– Legal problems – DUIs, arrests, jail time
– Engaging in risky behaviors like unprotected sex
The earlier drug use starts, the more damaging the effects can be on the developing brain. However, substance abuse at any age can result in long-term behavioral, cognitive, social, and health consequences. Those struggling with addiction often need professional treatment to stop using safely and successfully while improving quality of life. Ongoing aftercare helps maintain sobriety.
Behavioral Addictions
While substance abuse involves the overuse of drugs and alcohol, behavioral addictions are compulsive behaviors that a person engages in despite negative consequences. These behaviors activate the brain’s reward system similar to drug use, leading to craving, loss of control, and addiction. Common behavioral addictions include:
Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction, also called gambling disorder, involves repeated problematic gambling that disrupts finances, relationships, work, and other aspects of life. Those with gambling addiction can’t control the impulse to gamble despite understanding the harm it causes. Types of gambling that can lead to addiction include casino games, sports betting, poker, slots, bingo, lottery tickets, and more. Warning signs include:
– Preoccupation with gambling and reliving past experiences
– Needing to gamble with more money or make riskier bets to feel excitement
– Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop gambling
– Restlessness and irritability when trying to reduce gambling
– Gambling to escape problems or relieve anxiety/depression
– Lying to conceal gambling activities from loved ones
– Jeopardizing relationships or career for gambling
– Asking others for money to relieve financial desperation
Gambling addiction is associated with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, as well as increased risk of suicide. Those with gambling problems may benefit from counseling, financial advising, support groups, and medication to treat underlying issues.
Shopping Addiction
Shopping addiction, also called compulsive buying disorder, is characterized by excessive preoccupation with shopping and spending that leads to impairment or distress. People with this addiction engage in frequent, costly shopping sprees despite the consequences. They feel an irresistible urge to shop. Warning signs include:
– Frequently buying more than one can afford or buying items that are not needed
– Feeling an increasing “rush” or “high” from shopping
– Experiencing withdrawal-like symptoms when not shopping
– Hiding or lying about purchases to others
– Experiencing financial issues or debt due to shopping habits
– Obsessive thoughts about buying and shopping
– Neglecting responsibilities or relationships to go on shopping binges
Shopping addiction often co-occurs with other mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, OCD, or bipolar disorder. Treatment may involve therapy, medication, debt counseling, support groups, and lifestyle changes to develop healthier coping skills.
Sex Addiction
Sex addiction, also called hypersexual disorder, compulsive sexual behavior disorder, or out-of-control sexual behavior, is being abnormally preoccupied with sexual thoughts, urges, and behaviors. This excessive sexuality becomes problematic, causing distress and impairing daily functioning. Sex addiction may involve compulsive masturbation, cybersex, multiple affairs, excessive sex with a partner, pornography addiction, unsafe sex with multiple partners, prostitute hiring, etc. Signs include:
– Inability to control sexual urges, activities, or fantasies
– Continuing excessive sexual behaviors despite adverse consequences
– Neglecting responsibilities or hobbies for sexual behaviors
– Ongoing sexual actions despite emotional problems or physical injury
– Decreased self-esteem, depression or anxiety related to sexual behaviors
– Feeling ashamed, guilty, isolated due to sexual activities
– Failed efforts to reduce or control sexual behaviors
Treatment often involves psychotherapy, medications, support groups, and lifestyle modifications. Partners are also encouraged to seek support.
Internet Addiction
Internet addiction involves excessive internet use that interferes with daily functioning and causes problems at work, school, home, or in relationships. Also called internet dependency or pathological internet use, signs include:
– Losing track of time spent online
– Strong desire or urges to be online more and more
– Neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, showering to be online
– Avoiding social activities and interactions in order to stay online
– Feeling restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when not online
– Lying to others to conceal the amount of internet use
– Using the internet to numb difficult feelings or avoid real life problems
– Jeopardizing relationships, school, or job due to internet addiction
Those with internet dependency may benefit from therapy, support groups, parental controls, lifestyle changes, and engaging in offline activities to reduce unhealthy use of the internet.
Exercise Addiction
Exercise addiction occurs when a person feels driven or compelled to exercise excessively, even if injured or unwell. Also called exercise dependence or compulsive exercising, key features include:
– Feeling anxious, agitated, or distressed if unable to exercise
– Exercising consistently regardless of injury, illness, or bad weather
– Giving up social, family, or occupational activities to exercise
– Exercising to change appearance like weight, muscle tone, or body shape
– Experiencing guilt or shame when not exercising
– Continuing to exercise when injured or doctor recommends rest
– Needing to increase the intensity or amount of exercise to feel satisfied
Exercise addiction can lead to overuse injuries, joint pain, amenorrhea, and other medical issues in women, social isolation, and psychological distress. Treatment aims to find a healthier balance with exercise and address any underlying psychological issues motivating compulsive behaviors.
Social Media Addiction
Social media addiction is compulsive, uncontrolled use of social networking platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat that impairs normal functioning. Symptoms include:
– Obsessive preoccupation with social media accounts and activity
– Anxiety when unable to check social platforms for updates
– Loss of interest in socializing in real life, giving up outside hobbies
– Checking sites first thing in the morning and through the day
– Strong need to keep posting, commenting, liking others’ content
– Feeling moody, irritable, or depressed when not on social media
– Hiding social media overuse from friends and family
– Declines in work/academic performance due to social media obsession
Treatment may involve abstinence from social platforms, monitoring usage, addressing underlying issues like loneliness or self-esteem problems, and developing healthier coping outlets. Support groups can also help change habits and reduce addiction.
Food Addiction
Food addiction is being abnormally dependent on junk foods, sugar, carbohydrates, and other specific foods to the point where they crave it, lose control overeating it, and continue overconsumption despite health or social problems. Signs of food addiction include:
– Eating triggering foods in larger amounts and for longer periods than intended
– Persistent failed attempts to cut down or control eating certain foods
– Spending excessive time obtaining food, eating, and recovering from overconsumption
– Reduced social/occupational functioning due to food obsession
– Continued overeating certain foods despite medical or psychological problems
– Giving up activities and responsibilities to eat addictive foods
– Characteristic withdrawal symptoms if unable to eat trigger foods
Treatment focuses on abstaining from problem foods, managing cravings, improving diet, treating medical conditions, and addressing psychological factors like trauma, impulsivity, or using food to cope. Support groups and 12-step programs can also promote recovery.
Summary
In summary, the two main types of drug abuse are substance abuse involving alcohol and illicit drugs, and behavioral addictions related to gambling, shopping, sex, the internet, exercise, social media, food, and other compulsive behaviors that negatively impact health and functioning when done excessively. Both types activate brain reward systems and share characteristics like cravings, loss of control, continued use despite consequences, tolerance, and withdrawal.
Substance abuse harms physical health through organ damage, dependence, overdose, and disease transmission from injection practices. Mental health, social, academic, work, and financial functioning also suffers. Behavioral addictions impair relationships, performance, finances, self-esteem, and emotional stability when life starts revolving around the addictive behavior.
Those struggling with drug or behavioral addictions often require professional treatment through inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs as well as ongoing community support like 12-step programs and counseling. A combination of therapies, lifestyle changes, medications, and support can help individuals overcome addiction challenges, achieve abstinence from addictive substances or behaviors, and regain control of their lives.