Addiction doesn't happen overnight. It's a process that takes time, as its victim gradually spirals out of control. What might begin with a little experimentation or recreation drug use can eventually cross the line into a habit that is no longer a matter of choice. However, there are dangerous steps that lead to substance abuse. Be aware of these red flags and it is possible to stop addiction in its tracks.
Risk Factors for Addiction
Some people are more prone to developing a drug addiction than others. While there are those individuals who can use drugs casually without falling into a cycle of abuse, others will find themselves walking a thin line that makes it easy to tumble into danger. Those with a history of abuse in the family are more likely to become addicted because they have been exposed to negative habits throughout their lives. Those who start early are at a greater risk at well. Victims of abuse, depression, and other mental problems often turn to drugs to cope with difficulties in life. Prescription drugs often open the door to addiction, acting as a gateway to more serious drug use over time when not managed properly.
Recognizing the Signs of Addiction
When addiction affects your life or the life of someone you know, it can happen in stages. Catch them before its too late and you could avoid catastrophe. One of the first warnings that addiction is creeping up on a person is when drug use gradually increases. What began as only once a day may evolve into using drugs several times a day. You or someone you know may have started with recreational use of a certain type of drug on the weekend, but now use has shifted to every day.
Beware of the Moment You Need That Drug
When a drug becomes something you need, it's becoming a problem. Use it to cope with stress or any of life's problems and it becomes a crutch. The more a drug is used to deal with situations in life, the more likely addiction is going to happen.
When a Drug Becomes a Replacement in Life, it's a Problem
If you or someone you love chooses a drug as a remedy for a disappointment in life, there's only one path ahead and that is addiction. It will get to the point that the drug is a necessity, helping you through your loneliness and loss. However, it will be an empty companion.
Drug Use is a Problem When it Interferes with Daily Routines
If drug use gets in the way of work, school, or any other obligations in life, it has passed the point of being casual. This is a sign that addiction is setting in and something needs to be done before the damage is irreparable.
What Happens When a Drug Takes Control
Habitual drug use affects the brain, causing a surge of dopamine. This chemical reaction creates a sensation of pleasure. It can be easy to fall into habitual drug use in order to feel good again and again. However, the drug will not be as effective over time. It will mean needing more of that drug, more often, to get the same results. This is the point when drug use becomes extremely dangerous as the cravings get out of control and the need for that drug becomes more important than anything else in life.
What to Do When You See the Signs of Addiction
If you are the victim of drug abuse, you are less likely to see the warning signs yourself. However, if you are aware or you see them in someone else, you can do something about it. At the first sign that a drug is getting in the way of normal life, it is time to seek drug treatment. This may include counseling services, support groups, outpatient therapy or inpatient rehabilitation. The most important thing anyone can do to deal with addiction is to ask for help.If you are a teenager struggling with drug abuse, talk to your parents and have them help you, you don’t have to deal with this!
