July is Drug Addiction Awareness Month

Drug addiction does not happen to everyone and it does not always happen intentionally. A person who craves a drug and continues to use it despite the negative effects is addicted. Most people with addictions need help quitting.

What are the symptoms of drug addiction?

· Spending money you do not have on the drug

· Unable to quit

· Stealing to get the drug

· Feeling like you need the drug

· Problems in school or at work

· Changes in behavior

What are the risk factors of drug addiction?

· Family history of drug addiction

· Men are twice as likely as women to have a drug addiction

· Psychological problems – ADHD, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, etc

· Peer pressure, especially in teenagers

· Type of drug – some drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, or more addictive than others

What are the treatment options for drug addiction?

· Treatment programs – in an individual or group setting, these are educational and therapeutic seminars on getting sober and staying sober

· Counseling – in an individual or group setting, counseling helps you cope with your addiction and overcome it, and may also include life counseling to identify any reasons why a person is addicted and how to improve his or her life

· Self-help groups: Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are two examples; these emphasize that constant treatment is necessary to quit the drug

· Detoxification: helps you to quit the drug quickly; reducing the dosage of the drug or administering other chemicals that produce similar effects to the drug with less extreme side effects

What are the withdrawal symptoms of…?

· Depressants (Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Lunesta): restlessness, sleep problems, anxiety, hallucinations, seizures, increased blood pressure and heart rate, delirium

· Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, Ritalin, Adderall) : depression, fatigue, anxiety, suicide attempts, paranoia

· Opioids (heroin, morphine, codeine, Oxycontin, Vicodin): fatigue, anxiety, runny nose, restlessness, depression, increased blood pressure and breathing, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea

Contact your doctor or someone you trust if you need more information or help.