Drug addiction may be most commonly associated with illegal drug use, but it also can happen to anyone who takes a legal medication for a length of time. Drugs that kill pain are particularly addictive because, as a side effect of their intended action, they tend to make the user feel good. Other types of medications can be addictive as well, especially those intended to treat symptoms of mental difficulties such as depression and anxiety. There are different kinds of drug addiction.
Opioid Addiction
Opioids are drugs derived from opium. The first of these, developed in the 19th century, was morphine. There are many newer types of these medications including oxycodone, hydrocodone and hydromorphone, among others. They most often are prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. This pain may be due to a disease such as cancer or arthritis, from an injury or because of a surgical procedure. Opioids are not often prescribed for milder pain because of their addictive quality. Most people do not become addicted to these kinds of drugs if they use them for short periods such as during recovery from an injury or for a week or two following surgery.
Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepines may be prescribed to help you overcome insomnia or, more commonly, to help treat anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants, meaning your nervous system is slowed down by the drugs. Typical types of these drugs include alprazolam, lorazepam and temazepam. Temazepam is used as a sleep aid, but it is recommended for use only for seven to 10 days to prevent dependence, says the Mayo Clinic.
Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol is legal in the United States for anyone older than 21 and is not a controlled substance. Many people drink alcoholic beverages without a problem, but some people may become addicted to it. Like most other drug addictions, alcoholism requires detoxification as well as support and therapy to overcome. Once addicted, complete abstinence must be maintained or the addiction process will start again.
Illegal Drug Addiction
Many of the addictive illegal drugs also are derived from the opium poppy plant. Opium itself is addictive, as is heroin. Heroin is one of the strongest addictive drugs. It may be ingested, snorted or injected. Because it causes such euphoria, heroin is a drug that is hard to resist once it has been tried. As you use it more, your body builds a tolerance to it, meaning you must continually take more of it to get the same euphoric feelings. This can easily lead to overdosing and death. Other illegal drugs that are addictive include cocaine and crack, both derivatives of the coca plant.
