To give up reality and live in your fictional world - what could be simpler? That's just reality does not want to just let people go, dictating their living conditions. And then a person needs to make a choice: move to the side of life or accept the conditions of the game and play your game to the end. Speaking of roads, drug addiction - this is the real roadside.
Addiction
Drug addiction is the most dangerous disease of our time. A pathological craving for drugs is inherent in people, which subsequently leads to problems not only with health, but also with the law.
The term "addiction" means dependence on any narcotic substance. It is formed as a result of frequent use of psychoactive substances. Every year, more and more aggressive drugs appear on the black market, which are rapidly destroying the body and soul of their "slaves."
Basically, teenagers and young people are subject to drug addiction, that instead of studying and working, they spend their lives searching for and taking poisonous potions.
Addiction reduces life expectancy, causes moral, moral and intellectual degradation. People suffering from drug addiction tend to exhibit high criminal activity, trying to get additional funds for a new dose. What is the reason for such immoral behavior and is it possible to justify human weakness?
Culprits of the tragedy
On the day when drug addiction was officially recognized as a disease, psychologists, doctors and biologists are trying to establish the causes of drug addiction. The most popular of them are such as:
- Dissatisfaction. People who are dissatisfied with their lives and do not have the ability to express themselves, begin to seek solace in chemicals in order to at least for some time live in a world of illusions, forgetting about an unpleasant reality.
- Mental trauma. As Freud said: "All our problems come from childhood." Injury received in the distant past can be another cause of drug addiction.
- Stress. Due to the constant emotional stress, a person begins to look for ways to relax and gradually comes to drugs.
- Family and parenting. A family where a child does not receive the love and care he needs can also become a cause of drug addiction, as a teenager begins to look for something that will replace his parental warmth. In addition, if one or two parents take drugs, it is likely that the child will do the same.
What is drug addiction?
Experts believe that all drug addicts can be divided into two large subgroups: those who suffer from psychological dependence and those who are physically dependent.
Mental addiction is a disease in which the patient constantly or at times seeks to experience pleasant sensations. Such people try to relieve emotional stress with the help of chemicals. This dependence develops over a long time, although there are cases when it occurs after the first use of psychotropic drugs. But be that as it may, the reason for its occurrence is always the same - the desire to get rid of unpleasant emotions. This desire is usually caused by two reasons - psychological and compulsive.
With psychological dependence, the patient constantly has thoughts about drugs. When this is not at hand, a person immediately disappears in mood and there is complete dissatisfaction with life. If the desired drug appears, the patient’s emotional background changes dramatically, he immediately becomes cheerful and cheerful.
With compulsive craving, a person thinks only about drugs against his will, he is completely absorbed only in this thought. Therefore, his behavior is often beyond the control of common sense.
Those who suffer from the physical form of drug addiction can also be divided into groups according to their state: if a person takes drugs for a long time, his body is rebuilt and works in a new way, when the drug is absent, withdrawal syndrome occurs . This period of life in a drug addict is accompanied by various psychosomatic deviations, and it becomes easier for him only after using a new dose of drugs. The withdrawal syndrome in each person goes differently. It is also worth noting that there is the so-called drug tolerance of the body. That is, over time, the body will no longer adequately respond to the dose received and it needs to be increased.
Stages of drug addiction
In the first stage, a person only occasionally uses drugs. He believes he can quit at any moment, but over time, episodic use becomes more regular. The state of euphoria from the usual dose is less pronounced, and the patient inexorably increases the amount of the chemical. Physical dependence has not yet appeared at this stage, and a person can easily tolerate the absence of drugs, however, he continues to take them because he wants to receive pleasant sensations and feels some discomfort when the drug is absent.
The state of euphoria is gradually changing. Drowsiness, characteristic of the initial stages of drug addiction, is replaced by vigor, activity and arousal. There are no health problems, but at the same time, the patient begins to actively move away from his social environment. According to statistics, more than half of the people at this stage realize the seriousness of the problem and stop taking drugs, and the rest are sinking deeper into the pool of unconsciousness.
In the second stage, the development of physical dependence is noted in patients. Tolerance of an organism to a narcotic substance does not grow as it did before. It is necessary to take drugs systematically, the intervals between taking the next dose gradually decrease. If you stop using, then the withdrawal period will begin (withdrawal syndrome). Arousal from the drug becomes less pronounced, although the tonic effect still prevails. Violations of organs and systems are characteristic of drug addicts. Priorities are also changing - all attention is focused on finding a new dose.
The third stage is characterized by irreversible physical and mental changes. Susceptibility is significantly reduced, a person is not able to use drugs in previous doses, he constantly needs more. Without receptions of psychotropic substances, the patient can no longer exist normally. Now taking drugs is not a need for euphoria, but an opportunity for the body to function normally.
Types of Addiction
Depending on which drugs a person prefers, types of drug addiction, for example, heroin or methadone, are distinguished.
The most famous and perhaps the most dangerous drugs are opiates from poppy juice and their artificial counterparts. These substances include heroin, morphine, methadone, codeine, dorvan and demerol. After taking these drugs, a person feels pleasant euphoria, relaxation and drowsiness. Mental and physical dependence is rapidly developing from such drugs, the circle of interests is rapidly narrowing, and the addict is fully focused on finding a new dose.
Those who suffer from opium addiction are susceptible to the development of infectious complications, since drugs of this group are injected mainly. Syringe needles are not always sterile, in addition, several people often use the same needle. Because of this, the risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis is increased. Withdrawal syndrome is accompanied by chills, increased sweating, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle pain.
Cocaine, Amphetamine, LSD
Cocaine addiction is considered lighter compared to opium. After taking this substance, intoxicating euphoria, vigor, physical stamina and self-confidence arise. Thinking does not slow down, non-coordination of movements remains normal. But long-term use of this drug causes volitional, intellectual and emotional disorders, and health and appearance are also deteriorating.
The formation of drug dependence in the abuse of amphetamines is characterized by mental and physical abnormalities. These drugs are powerful stimulants that enhance mood and overall tone. But when the period of cancellation comes, a person suffers from various psycho-emotional disorders. With prolonged use, depression, exhaustion and a decrease in immunity are observed.
Intense mental dependence is also caused by the abuse of LSD. Addicts suffer from a disturbed perception of reality, hallucinations and a rapid change in the emotional background. Patients may commit inappropriate actions, even after many years, those who have previously taken LSD may develop psychosis and a disturbance in perception.
Diagnostics
People taking drugs always stand out in the crowd. But this statement is only suitable for those who have long been captive to drug dope. Beginners in this matter are not so easy to calculate, only if there is no indirect evidence, and yet you should know the main signs of drug addiction:
- A detached and glassy look.
- Regardless of the lighting, dilated or narrowed pupils.
- Always wear clothes with long sleeves.
- Appearance is always untidy - damaged teeth, dry hair, hands with swelling.
- Slurred and slow speech.
- Slouch.
- Awkward movements.
- Rudeness and constant irritability.
- Bluish-red marks from injections.
Is there a way out?
Nevertheless, one should not forget that drug addiction is treated. To give up and let things go by themselves - these are the two worst decisions that a person can make. After the relatives learned about the problem, you need to start acting. Drug addiction treatment must be carried out immediately, because with addiction every second is worth its weight in gold. Only a highly qualified specialist will help to solve the problem. But we must not forget that the treatment of drug addiction is a long and difficult process, and yet a favorable outcome is possible.
Treatment effectiveness
For the prevention of drug addiction to be successful, the desire of the patient himself is necessary. Until the person himself is aware of the problem and decides, there can be no question of an effective outcome. This is the first stage from which the rehabilitation of drug addiction begins - awareness of your problem and psychological preparation. A person should be ready not only for medical treatment, but also to keep himself in control so as not to be tempted by a new dose of a toxic substance.
Basically, drug addiction centers provide treatment. These are special clinics in which patients undergo complex procedures to get rid of addiction. First, the efforts of specialists are aimed at neutralizing the withdrawal symptoms, only after the body is cleansed of toxic substances, can we begin treatment of drug addiction. At this stage, the main attention is paid to the removal of psychological addictions.
Stages of treatment
In general, there are four stages of treatment:
- The first stage is the removal of toxins from the body and the correction of mental disorders.
- When the patient normalizes sleep and the correct metabolism resumes, specialists conduct correction of behavioral disorders.
- Only at this stage it is possible to identify the main syndrome of mental addiction, this will allow to continue therapeutic rehabilitation.
- At this stage, the likelihood of relapse is high, so the treatment ends with anti-relapse procedures.
Each addict has a lot of chances to become a “former” drug addict, but it all depends on his willpower.
Prevention
In modern society, attention is paid to the prevention of drug addiction. They tell teenagers about the dangers of drugs, conduct various events and explain how to get rid of emotional stress without resorting to chemicals. To prevent the development of such dependence is much easier than returning from the world of illusions to harsh reality.
In fact, the prevention of drug addiction is the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. And yet, when a person knows how drugs work, what consequences they can cause, they are unlikely to resort to them. But addiction does not come from a good life. Anyone who has someone to care about, who cherishes his life, has a cherished dream and strives for his goal, will not even think about the drug. His life makes sense, and no matter how difficult it is, he will stand. But there are those to whom all this is inaccessible. Such people were initially neglected, they were prejudiced, and they lost their runway, which one day would have to push off. Therefore, the prevention of drug addiction lies not only in educational conversations, but also in working with a psychologist. Particular attention is paid to the environment in which the teenager is raising. If it is unfavorable, then the specialist works not only with him, but also with his parents.
Real life is a daily struggle for your happiness. The world is full of temptations, and every day a person receives another challenge. The real world is the lot of the strong, but the strength for life is in each of us, and it will be enough to solve any problem. Do not run away into the world of illusions, thereby destroying your life, otherwise it will be very difficult to return. And before you embark on a slippery slope, you need to understand this truth.