MyAddiction.com defines addiction as an umbrella term for a complex behavioral disorder with the most obvious symptom being a person's inability to control their actions. Regardless of the harm their addiction brings their way, they forge ahead...
Drug abuse, according to the Mayo Clinic, is considered to be a psychological disorder as it alters the pathways in the brain, physically changing the nerve cells. Certain causes of drug abuse have been identified, as have risk factors that, when...
When someone takes drugs, he is generally looking for a benefit or a reward. The motivators behind the initial drug use can lead to addiction. There are several social and emotional factors that increase the chances of developing a drug addiction....
Drug addiction is an overwhelming, uncontrollable need for drugs or alcohol despite the negative consequences that may follow. It can affect people of any age, sex or economic status, and while no exact cause has been determined, a variety of risk...
Drug addiction doesn't just apply to illegal street drugs. It can apply to prescription medications as well. As the Mayo Clinic explains, drug abuse/addiction is the uncontrollable use of any drug that your body craves, regardless of the negative...
Drug addiction, by definition of the Mayo Clinic, is a physical dependence on a street drug or medication. Once addicted, it is difficult to control your cravings and desire for the drug of choice. Not everyone has addictive tendencies, and it is...
Alcoholism is a chronic disease in which a person's body becomes dependent on alcohol. Alcohol dependence compels a person to drink, despite the problems that it causes with relationships, health and work. A teenager may develop alcoholism as a...
According to the Mayo Clinic, alcoholism is a chronic condition indicating physiological dependence, which also manifests as psychological disturbance and behavioral change. Alcoholism is clinically diagnosed when drinking continues despite the...
Addiction has many faces. The crack-addicted homeless person, the amphetamine-addled long-distance trucker and the cocktail-lubricated corporate executive may be worlds away from each other in terms of their lifestyles and economic demographic,...
Drug and alcohol addiction is complex and has a significant impact on the individual struggling with the disorder as well as those closest to him. Drug Addiction Support notes that many living with substance addiction believe the problem affects...
Detox is the first step to recovery from alcohol. Although inpatient treatment is recommended for some patients, only about 5 percent of people recovering from alcohol addiction suffer from tremors, convulsions or other serious disorders when...
It may begin out of curiosity. Or perhaps it's due to peer pressure. For some, it's a matter of experimenting with something new that appears exciting. All of these can lead to drug addiction, according to HelpGuide.org. The site defines addiction...
Finding out that your daughter has a drug addiction is many parents' worst nightmare. You may feel angry, scared and overwhelmed by the challenge of helping her through this addiction, or feel unsure of what to do and how to go about doing it....
Oxycodone is a synthetic narcotic opiate pain killer that is available by prescription only for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, according to Drugs.com. Oxycodone is similar to morphine and is often prescribed for patients following major...
Alcoholism is characterized by excessive drinking despite the disruptions caused in life at work, home or socially. Medical diagnosis includes the presence of physiological problems such as tremors and blackouts, obsessions about using alcohol,...
People who build up a tolerance to a drug develop drug dependence. They face the difficulty of going through withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopping use of the drug. Drug dependence can result from abuse of illicit drugs or prescription...
After noticing unexplainable behavior changes, mood swings and other signs of drug or alcohol addiction, you may be able to help someone with drug and alcohol abuse problems. There are resources available to assist you. While you may fear what...
The withdrawal symptoms that occur when abruptly stopping cocaine can be unpleasant and difficult, so much so that many people give up and resume taking the drug. In order to successfully quit using cocaine, people should familiarize themselves...
Successful recovery from an addiction is more likely for those who seek counseling or professional treatment, join support groups or have a strong support system of family and friends, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Many...
Program Description Those who find success in recovery from drug abuse or addiction do so with the support of other people. Adequate support is a critical aspect of any recovery program, and 12-step programs have been a source of support since...
Drug addiction is a complex neurobiological disease that leads to profound drug cravings and abnormal behavior. Drug addicts typically suffer from several effects of their disease: loss of employment, financial difficulties and the loss of healthy...
It's not easy to overcome an addiction. Although many addiction specialists acknowledge that relapses are part of the recovery process, most recovering addicts would like to avoid relapses entirely. Learn things that can be done to strengthen...
Relapses or slips are a normal part of the change process in addiction recovery. As part of an effective relapse prevention program, skill building, finding sober support people to connect with, and action plans are recommended so that if a slip...
Side effects from drug withdrawal may depend on the particular drug or how long a person has been using the drug. Drug addiction and withdrawal involve neurotransmitters in the brain that have become used to regular dosage of the drug. When the...
When an addict leaves a drug and alcohol treatment facility, the journey back to a normal life may not be over. Temptations and stressful situations remain in the outside world, and an addict who has just finished the detoxification,...
Drug abuse is becoming increasingly prevalent in society. When thinking of drug abuse, first thoughts often drift to illicit substances such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine; however, prescription drugs can easily be abused as well....
Home remedies for drug detoxification may be a possible solution for some drug addiction, according to Mayo Clinic staff. Others may need inpatient care. Either way, getting off the unhealthy drug can be a long process. A variety of remedies and...
Oxycontin is the trade name of controlled-release tablets of the pain-reliever oxycodone hydrochloride, manufactured by Purdue Pharma. PubMed Health explains that oxycodone hydrochloride is an opiate drug that changes the way the brain and nervous...
People who are addicted lack full awareness that their addiction is creating harm and limiting potential. In the book “Learning the Language of Addiction Counseling,” this lack of awareness is called “pre-contemplation.” It...
