What Are Some Causes of Drug Addiction

8/4/2019 What Are Some Causes of Drug Addiction

1/8

What are some causes of drug addiction?

One of the typical causes of drug addiction is the inability to cope with crisis. Loss,

disappointment, feelings of rejection, loneliness, and failure frequently lead to physical andemotional symptoms. As symptoms of headaches, tension, sleeplessness, and depression

increase, medications become a solution. Some will get prescriptions from a physician or try tomedicate themselves.

In Zachs case, drugs were readily available. The divorce was hard on my mom, and she needed

her pills to help her handle the kids and her two jobs. Sometimes we had to get Mom hermedicine to help her feel better. As a child, Zach became codependent, habitually covering up

for his addicted mother. As a parent, Zach justified using drugs in order to be a good dad whowouldnt beat the kids. Like Zach, most people deal with crisis according to their background.

Unique features and patterns direct individuals down a deceptive path of addiction. When Alyce

was a child, her mother left the family. Her fathers alcoholism contributed to a dysfunctionalenvironment. By the time I entered high school, I was moved around to five foster homes.

Sometimes, I was taken to Sunday school where I heard how God helped other people withproblems. Alyces life as a wife and mother began well. But, as the years passed, Alyce started

drifting away from her faith. Something was missing in my life, and I only wanted to deaden thepain. When her habitual drinking failed to numb the hurts, she tried cocaine. The crack

addiction stole her reputation, self-respect, and even her children. In seeking to escape herproblems, Alyce was lured into deeper destruction. They promise freedom, but they themselves

are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you (2 Peter 2:19

Does the Bible address the causes of drug addiction?

y We are Gods exquisite creation, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm139:14a, NIV).

y Drug addiction depreciates and destroys life. Satan uses deception (2Corinthians 4:4) and doubt (Revelation 12:9-10) to degrade man who was

created in Gods image (Genesis 1:27).

y Jesus, God the Son, is well-acquainted with temptation (Luke 4:1-13). Whilesatan tempts, he cannot compel us to disobey God or habitually sin (1 John3:8-9). God nevertempts us (James 1:13-15), and He will provide an escape

from every addiction (1 Corinthians 10:13).

y Only God can meet our every need (Psalm 23).


2/8

What are underlying causes of drug addiction?

When we take drugs, either for medical purposes or recreation, there is a benefit or reward thatwe are trying to achieve.

For example pain medication is intended to bring relief to an injured or stressed area of our body.

The beginning stages of drug addiction causes us to crave more and to use more. The unintended

consequences of that is our need to take more and more of the drug to get the same result.

Drug addiction causes the pathways inside the brain to be altered. Physical changes in the nerve

cells are brought on by the drug.

These cells (neurons) communicate with each other releasing neurotransmitters into the gaps orsynapses between the nerve cells. This makes some drugs more addictive than others.

There are several other factors that contribute to drug addiction. Well go into greater detail onanother page, but for now the major factors are ones genetic makeup, personality and peerpressure. Again well explain these as we go along.

For information on treatment and recovery please visit drug rehab.

To understand what causes drug addiction we need to first look at the effect of the drug on theindividual. Of course, there are many variables to consider, but we will start by looking at what

happens when a person takes drugs. We take drugs, either for medical purposes or recreation andthere is a benefit or reward that we are trying to achieve.

For example pain medication is intended to bring relief to an injured or stressed area of our body.The beginning stages of drug addiction causes us to crave more and to use more. The unintendedconsequences of that is our need to take more and more of the drug to get the same result.

Think of drug addiction as a progression. A person uses drugs and at some point the pathways

inside the brain are altered. Physical changes in the nerve cells are brought on by the drug. Thesecells (neurons) communicate with each other releasing neurotransmitters into the gaps or

synapses between the nerve cells. This makes some drugs are more addictive than others.

Causes ofDrug Addiction are many including:

- Crime

- Unhappiness

- Divorce

- Major sickness/illness


3/8

- Death of a loved one

Causes Of Drug Addiction

Why do some people choose to use drugs when they?re so bad for you? The causes of drugaddiction are as varied as the amount of drugs that are available for use ? both legally and

illegally. There is no one cause for drug addiction just like there is no consistent profile of a druguser.

People who have a history of drug use or abuse in their families are at risk for drug addictionproblems. It has been proven that children of alcoholics will exhibit addictive tendencies.

Children of alcoholics or drug users generally have low self-esteem and see their parentsescaping from problems using drugs. When they see this, their minds say that this is the way to

act and they themselves become users.

There is also a biological basis for causing drug addiction. Drugs alter the brain?s chemicals andthe way the brain functions.Drug addiction creates dependence in the brain by changing the

brain?s reward functions ? the part that reinforces certain behaviors.

Prescription drug addiction is caused by the person?s inability to function without the drug in

their system. People become addicted to prescription drugs because they usually are taking themto overcome some type of pain. They begin to feel that if they are not taking their pills, the pain

will return.

Some people are more prone to addiction than others. People who have low self-esteem, areoften depressed, and who feel they have no control over their lives will often turn to drugs as a

way to cope. They often feel they can?t please the people around them so they have to changethemselves in order to fit in. The change is made easier by using drugs because the drugs

transform them into someone and something that they are not.

Stress is often attributed as a cause of drug addiction. Life can be very stressful no matter whoyou are. Some of us are better able to cope with stress than others. Others still just look for an

easy way to forget their stress ? and that easy way is through drugs. Once the drug use starts, it?soften difficult to get away from it because the stresses will still be there once the high is gone, so

the user feels he or she needs more drugs to cope. That type of cycle leads to addiction.

Finally, drugs are easily accessible. They are available in many places if you just ask around for

them. Because of that easy access, it?s more likely that a person will begin using eventuallybecoming addicted.

The causes of drug addiction are wide and varied. The key to stopping drug addiction is to get rid

of those causes before they become a problem.


4/8

Drug addiction treatment and recovery step 1: Decide to make a change

For many people struggling with addiction, the biggest and toughest step toward recovery is the

very first one: deciding to make a change. Its normal to feel conflicted about giving up yourdrug of choice, even when you realize its causing problems in your life. Change is never easy

and committing to sobriety involves changing many things, including:

y the way you deal with stressy who you allow in your lifey what you do in your free timey how you think about yourself

You may wonder if youre really ready for all that change or if you have what it takes to quit. Itsokay if youre torn. Recovering from addiction is a long process, one that requires time,commitment, motivation, and support. As you contemplate your situation, the following tips can

help you make the decision.

Drug addiction treatment and recovery step 2: Explore your treatment options

Once youve made the decision to challenge your drug addiction, its time to explore your

treatment choices. As you consider the options, keep the following in mind:

y Theres no magic bullet or single treatment that works for everyone. When considering aprogram, remember that everyones needs are different. Drug addiction treatment should be

customized to your unique problems and situation. Its important that you find a program that

feels right.

y Treatment should address more than just your drug abuse. Addiction affects your whole life,including relationships, career, health, and psychological well-being. Treatment success depends

on developing a new way of living and addressing the reasons why you turned to drugs in the

first place. It may have been because of an inability to manage stress, in which case youll need

to find healthy ways to handle stressful situations.

y Commitment and follow-through are key. Drug addiction treatment is not a quick and easyprocess. In general, the longer and more intense the drug use, the longer and more intense the

treatment youll need. But regardless of the treatment programs length in weeks or months,

long-term follow-up care is crucial to recovery.y There are many places to turn for help. Not everybody requires medically supervised detox or

an extended stint in rehab. The level of care you need depends on your age, drug use history,

and other medical or psychiatric conditions. In addition to doctors and psychologists, many

clergy members, social workers, and counselors offer addiction treatment services.


5/8

Drug addiction treatment and recovery step 3: Reach out for support

Dont try to go it alone. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having a solid support system

is essential. The more positive influences you have in your life, the better your chances forrecovery. Recovering from drug addiction isnt easy, but with people you can turn to for

encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, its a little less tough.

y Lean on close friends and family Having the support of friends and family members is aninvaluable asset in recovery. If youre reluctant to turn to your loved ones because youve let

them down before, consider going to couples counseling or family therapy.

y Build a sober social network If your previous social life revolved around drugs, you may needto make some new connections. Its important to have sober friends who will support your

recovery. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in

your community.

y Consider moving in to a sober living home Sober living homes provide a safe, supportive placeto live while youre recovering from drug addiction. They are a good option if you dont have a

stable home or a drug-free living environment to go to.y Make meetings a priority Join a recovery support group and attend meetings regularly.

Spending time with people who understand exactly what youre going through can be very

healing. You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what

others have done to stay sober.

Drug addiction treatment and recovery step 4: Learn healthy ways to cope

with stress

Even once youve recovered from drug addiction, youll still have to face the problems that led

to your drug problems in the first place. Did you start using drugs to numb painful emotions,

calm yourself down after an argument, unwind after a bad day, or forget about your problems?After you become sober, the negative feelings that you used to dampen with drugs will resurface.

For treatment to be successful, and to remain sober in the long term, youll need to resolve theseunderlying issues as well.

Conditions such as stress, loneliness, frustration, anger, shame, anxiety, and hopelessness willremain in your life even when youre no longer using drugs to cover them up. But you will be in

a healthier position to finally address them and seek the help you need.

Drug addiction treatment and recovery step 5: Keep triggers and cravings in

check

While getting sober from drugs is an important first step, its only the beginning of the recovery

process. Once sober, the brain needs time to recover and rebuild connections that have changedwhile addicted. During this time, drug cravings can be intense. You can support your continued

sobriety by making a conscious effort to avoid people, places, and situations that trigger the urgeto use:


6/8

y Make a break from old drug buddies. Dont make the mistake of hanging out with old friendswho are still doing drugs. Surround yourself with people who support your sobriety, not those

who tempt you to slip back into old, destructive habits.

y Avoid bars and clubs, even if you dont have a problem with alcohol. Drinking lowers inhibitionsand impairs judgment, which can easily lead to relapse. Drugs are often readily available and the

temptation to use can be overpowering. Also avoid any other environments and situations that

you associate with drug use.

y Be up front about your history of drug use when seeking medical treatment. If you need amedical or dental procedure done, be up front about your history and find a provider who will

work with you in either prescribing alternatives or the absolute minimum medication necessary.

You should never feel ashamed or humiliated about previous drug use or be denied medication

for pain; if that happens, find another provider.

y Use caution with prescription drugs. Stay away from prescription drugs with the potential forabuse or use only when necessary and with extreme caution. Drugs with a high abuse potential

include painkillers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medication.

Drug Addiction Treatment Methods

Drug addiction is a treatable disorder. Through treatment that is tailored to individual needs,

patients can learn to control their condition and live normal, productive lives. Like people withdiabetes or heart disease, people in treatment for drug addiction learn behavioral changes and

often take medications as part of their treatment regimen.

Behavioral therapies can include counseling, psychotherapy, support groups, or family therapy.Treatment medications offer help in suppressing the withdrawal syndrome and drug craving and

in blocking the effects of drugs. In addition, studies show that treatment for heroin addictionusing methadone at an adequate dosage level combined with behavioral therapy reduces death

rates and many health problems associated with heroin abuse.

In general, the more treatment given, the better the results. Many patients require other services

as well, such as medical and mental health services and HIV prevention services. Patients whostay in treatment longer than 3 months usually have better outcomes than those who stay less

time. Patients who go through medically assisted withdrawal to minimize discomfort but do notreceive any further treatment, perform about the same in terms of their drug use as those who

were never treated. Over the last 25 years, studies have shown that treatment works to reducedrug intake and crimes committed by drug-dependent people. Researchers also have found that

drug abusers who have been through treatment are more likely to have jobs.

Treatment via Medication: Current Drugs Available

Methadone is a widely used treatment for heroin addicts. The drug is normally taken orally oncea day to prevent cravings and severe withdrawal symptoms. Levo-alpha-acetyl-methadol,

LAAM, is similar to methadone in that it blocks the effects of heroin. But it's usuallyadministered orally only three times a week which helps reduce the addict's psychological need

to take a drug every day.


7/8

The drug naltrexone has also been used in the treatment of heroin addiction but it's not popularamong addicts. Although it prevents a user getting a high from heroin, it doesn't stop the craving.

It can be taken orally but naltrexone implants have now been developed to allow the drug toslowly be released into the system over a period of time. Users with these implants feel no effect

from heroin when they inject.

Buprenorphine is a new treatment for heroin and other opiod abuse and research has found it tobe more effective than both naltrexone and LAAM in terms of reducing drug cravings. It doesn't

produce a hit, dependency or withdrawal symptoms and is only needed every other day.

All maintenance therapies prescribed by doctors and rehab clinics are taken orally to prevent thespread of HIV and hepatitis from sharing infected needles.

Research is under way in the US and Europe to find the wonder medication to treat cocaineaddiction. It's currently the top priority of the USAs National Institute on Drug Abuse

(www.nida.nih.gov).

Some drugs which have been developed for other medical purposes have had limited successwith cocaine addiction. Many are still be trialled for treatment. The anti-convulsant drug gabitrol

has been effective in helping some users overcome their craving for cocaine as has the anti-epileptic drug gamma-vinyl-gaba (GVG). Anti-depressants are sometimes prescribed to help

addicts cope with the side effects of withdrawal.

The drug disulfiram (brand name Antabuse) is often used to treat alcoholism. It induces nausea,vomiting and other extremely unpleasant side effects in patients who drink even a small amount

of alcohol, including alcohol contained in foodstuffs such as vinegar and sauces. Acamprosate isa medication which helps reduce withdrawal symptoms suffered by alcoholics. Naltrexone has

also been used in the treatment of alcoholism because, just as with heroin, it can lessen theperceived positive effects of alcohol.

For the majority of other addictions to substances such as stimulants, inhalants and steroids,medications are often prescribed - not to treat the addiction itself but more to combat adverse

health side effects such as fits and depression.

Medication for any form of addiction should go hand in hand with various support therapies.Community back up is vital for addicts especially in the early days after they've been weaned off

a drug.

Cognitive behavior therapy

Cognitive behavior therapy is mostly used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, and

other mental disorders, but it has also been shown to be valuable in treating alcoholism and drugaddiction, especially as part of an overall program of recovery.


8/8

Cognitive-behavioral coping skills treatment is a short-term, focused therapeutic approach tohelping drug-dependent people become abstinent by using the same learning processes the

person used to develop alcohol and drug dependence initially.

What Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?

Cognitive behavior therapy is based on the idea that feelings and behaviors are caused by a person'sthoughts, not on outside stimuli like people, situations and events. People may not be able to change

their circumstances, but they can change how they think about them and therefore change how they

feel and behave, according to cognitive-behavior therapists.

In the treatment for alcohol and drug dependence, the goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is toteach the person to recognize situations in which they are most likely to drink or use drugs, avoidthese circumstances if possible, and cope with other problems and behaviors which may lead to

their substance abuse.

What Are Some Causes of Drug Addiction

Documents

Transcript of What Are Some Causes of Drug Addiction