Any type of drug or alcohol abuse or a combination of the two is often referred to as substance abuse. This is a widespread problem throughout the world and affects men, women and teenagers. When the alcohol and drug abuse gets out of control or cannot be stopped voluntarily, it may be time to seek medical help.
Types of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is widely abused in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2006, 20 percent of current drinkers have had five or more alcoholic drinks on one day in the past year. Alcohol abuse is serious because it can lead to long-term alcoholism, where someone may become physically addicted to alcohol. Others only drink heavily once in a while, rather than drinking beer, wine or liquor daily. Binge drinking can occur infrequently but can be dangerous because it can lead to someone making poor judgment choices and possible alcohol poisoning.
Types of Drug Abuse
Drug abuse affects many people on a day-to-day basis. Any type of drug taken in a recurrent manner that is not prescribed properly by a doctor may be considered abuse. Prescribed drugs may include tranquilizers, amphetamines, steroids, analgesics and barbiturates. These can be obtained in a emergency room or by physician-hopping to get more drugs from different locations. Prescription drugs may also be bought illegally on the street or obtained from friends or family members. Illegal drugs such as opiates, crack cocaine, marijuana, heroin and LSD are also drugs that are extremely habit forming. Some people also inhale aerosols or chemicals in order to get high.
Who Is Affected?
The person who is abusing drugs and alcohol is the most affected. It can ruin his personal life, affect his job performance and wreak havoc on his financial life. It will also make him physically sick. The person's family and close friends may also become affected. Many people who abuse drugs experience personality changes such as bursts of anger or energy that prevent him from being on an even path of day-to-day life, affecting anyone he comes in contact with. Some people who go on drug or alcohol binges may disappear for days or weeks at time and become completely unaccounted for; this can leave a devastating effect on children and spouses.
What Is Affected?
First and foremost, the person's health is affected. With drug abuse, health problems abound, specifically based on the type of drug the person is using. Many street drugs, including narcotics, can cause damage to the heart, liver and lungs. The withdrawal effects can also be deadly, especially with heroin. Detoxing should be performed in a safe and observant drug outpatient facility. Prolonged use of alcohol can cause damage to the liver, and the repercussions can be irreversible. Many people lose their financial assets, families and jobs while abusing drugs and alcohol and also through detox, leaving them with minimal support both financially and physically to have a successful recovery.
Seeking Help
Seeking help is the first step in getting the right treatment for someone who is abusing drugs and alcohol. A family medical doctor or outpatient clinic should be the first step in the process. Here the medical doctor can evaluate the patient to determine the severity of the addiction. At that time she will likely be referred to either an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment program, outpatient program, 12-step support group or psychologist.
