Drug Addiction And Withdrawal Symptoms
Barney Garcia
An addict is a person who has an uncontrollable compulsion to
repeat a behavior regardless of its negative consequence. There
are many drugs that can lead to a condition recognized as
addiction. The common symptoms are a craving for more of the
drug, increased psychological tolerance to exposure, and
withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the stimulus. A risk of
dependency exists in most drugs that directly provide pleasure
or relief.
There are two types of dependency – physical and psychological.
Physical dependency on a substance is defined by the appearance
of characteristic withdrawal symptoms when the drug is suddenly
discontinued. Opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, alcohol
and nicotine are well known addictive drugs known for their
ability to induce physical dependence. Cortisone, beta-blockers
and most antidepressants are examples of similar such drugs, but
they are not addictive. Some highly addictive drugs, such as
cocaine, induce little physical dependence too. The main
characteristic of an addictive drug is its ability to induce
euphoria while causing harm.
The dependency of the mind leads to psychological withdrawal
symptoms. Eating disorders are sometimes considered as
psychological disorders and are sometimes treated as
addictions. Withdrawal symptoms faced when the diet is altered
suggests that food substances like chocolate, caffeine and
sugar have the potential for addiction. Nicotine is considered
to be the most addictive substance in the world.
Anxiolytics are used to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal in
people with chemical dependency. In chronic opiate addiction, a
surrogate drug such as methadone is offered. There are various
models to treat dependency like the opponent-process model, the
disease model, the genetic model, the cultural model, and the
blended model. The term addiction is sometimes used loosely
rather than as a medical classification. Endorphins are
released as a result of pleasurable activity. This endorphin
rush can become addictive. Opioids pose extreme risk of
dependency because they are chemically similar to endorphins.
Cocaine and amphetamines also pose risks associated with
physical attenuation by increasing the levels of the
neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which acts
indirectly to stimulate dopaminergic pathways in the brain.
Craving is the incredible desire an addict or alcoholic still
feels for the substance. It takes often days, months or even
years for recovery. It could be directly related to the long
term changes in brain functioning. Relapse triggers can create
powerful emotional and physical responses that can lead up to
incredible urges to use drugs and alcohol again. It may result
in the addict feeling angry, lonely, depressed or in self pity.
Thus it becomes essential for individuals early into drugs to
change their habit and different aspects of life.
About The Author: Author Barney Garcia writes about different
addiction and drug rehab topics. For more info:
http://www.drug-addiction-battles.info
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