Drug Addiction Information & Resources

Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is a serious and debilitating problem today. It’s characterized by uncontrollable drug-seeking behaviors and an inability to stop using, even in the face of negative consequences (e.g., lost job, physical illness, broken relationships).

It’s also considered by experts to be an actual mental disease rather than a problem of willpower.

This guide takes a look at some of the major questions surrounding addiction. What is addiction? How common is addiction? And why do people get addicted? It also points out some of the most commonly abused types of addictive substances and what makes them unique.

Addiction is a complex disease that’s still not fully understood today. But as with any problem, overcoming it begins with learning about it. Review our drug addiction resources.

What is Drug Addiction?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):

Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder, because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control, and those changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs.

It’s worth noting that addiction is an actual disease rather than a choice. And as such, that means that it requires professional treatment in order to recover from it.

Why Are Alcohol & Drugs Addictive?

The key to addiction involves the way that certain substances influence the pleasure system of the brain. This system is driven by the release and absorption of dopamine, the main pleasure-causing chemical in the brain.

This chemical is naturally released by a variety of activities – from eating a good meal or finishing an enjoyable book to having sex or getting a promotion at work. Essentially, everything that feels good can be traced back to dopamine.

Drugs and alcohol effectively hijack this system and cause the brain to release dopamine without having to perform any of these activities. And over time, the body becomes so used to this effect of drugs and alcohol that it stops producing dopamine on its own.

When this happens, the substance abuser is driven to use over and over again because doing so is the only thing that gives pleasure anymore.

What’s the Difference Between Abuse & Addiction?

Not all substance abuse means that addiction is involved. And it’s important to understand that these two terms do not refer to the same thing.

Addiction, as we’ve seen, is a chronic disorder that involves uncontrollable drug-seeking despite negative consequences.

Substance abuse, on the other hand, is simply using a drug in a way that it wasn’t intended to be used.

For legal drugs like prescription medications, this involves taking higher quantities of the drug or using it in ways that it wasn’t prescribed. For alcohol, it may mean having more drinks than the amount recommended by health agencies (around 2 per day for men and 1 for women).

For illegal drugs, substance abuse is simple: using them ever is considered abuse.

A case of substance abuse may just point to mild experimentation. And it doesn’t always mean that someone is addicted. However, the more substance abuse there is, the higher the risk of developing an addiction will generally be.

Why Do People Use Drugs?

People use drugs for a variety of reasons. These may include:

Wanting to fit in with peers
As a way to treat the symptoms of underlying disorders like depression or anxiety
To help improve short-term academic performance (e.g., taking Adderall during exams)
To increase sociability
To feel good (increased confidence, energy, happiness, etc.)

It’s important to remember, though, that abusing drugs continually and habitually can often make the problems of an individual even worse in the end.

What Are the Consequences of Drug Abuse or Alcoholism?

There are so many different consequences of substance abuse and addiction. Below are some of the most notable.

Physical Consequences

Risk of overdose
Poor internal health (damage to organs like heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys)
Poor external health (skin abscesses, infected cuts and wounds, bad regular and oral hygiene)
Injury from intoxication

Psychological Consequences

A higher rate of other mental disorders like depression and anxiety
Inability to enjoy hobbies you used to have
Going through various mental withdrawals when not using
Uncontrollable fixations on when, how, and where to get high again

Life Consequences

Shattered social relationships
Alienation of family
Loss of job or career
Dwindling financial health
Legal repercussions

How Common Is Addiction?

More common than you might think.

It’s estimated that around 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 suffers from drug addiction, alcoholism, or both.

More than 24 million Americans have used an illicit drug in the past 30 days.

And when it comes to alcohol, the numbers are even more staggering. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that around 15.1 million adults had an alcohol use disorder in 2015.

What Are the Signs of Addiction?

One of the first steps in getting help for an addiction is spotting the signs. And the earlier you can do that, the sooner you can seek out professional treatment.

There are a few signs of addiction to watch out for in others. Below are some of the most common.

Changes in Physical Appearance
Changes in Attitude
Rapid Mood Swings or Mental/Emotional Abnormalities
Secretive Behaviors
Changes in Energy Levels
Drug Paraphernalia
Mounting Consequences
Physical signs or problems (e.g., track marks, nosebleeds)

Am I Addicted?

While it may be easy to spot the signs of addiction in others, admitting that you are the one with a problem is monumentally harder. That’s because denial is incredibly common among addicts and substance abusers of all types.

In fact, among the 17.7 million Americans who needed help but didn’t get it, 95.5% didn’t do so because they didn’t think they had a problem. That’s 16.9 million adults who are in complete denial about their addiction.

That’s why it’s so important to be able to recognize the signs of addiction so you can see how you stack up. Taking a quick online addiction quiz is one of the easiest ways to do so.

You can also have a look at the guide below for more information.

Am I Really Addicted?

Do Addicts Need Treatment?

Yes.

While it is possible to overcome an addiction without professional treatment, the overwhelming majority of addicts will need expert help in order to stay clean permanently.

A professional program is designed to give recovering addicts the strategies and tools they need to deal with overpowering cravings, avoid unexpected triggers, and replace self-destructive life behaviors with healthier ones.

These programs are also essential for treating the dangerous and even life-threatening complications that often come with the first stages of getting clean. This is especially important when it comes to detoxing from prescription CNS depressants, alcohol, or opioids because withdrawals can be deadly.

The trick, however, is knowing how to find a treatment program that actually works.

What Types of Addiction Treatments Work?

Most programs will use a combination of three types of treatment approaches: individual counseling, group talk sessions, and behavioral therapies.

Individual Counseling – One-on-one counseling is a vital part of any treatment program. Working closely with an addiction professional in this intimate setting allows for a deep dive into what’s driving the addiction, what underlying problems might be involved, and treatment strategies catered to meet the specific needs of the individual.
Group Talk Sessions – Many programs use group talk sessions to help build up a sense of community and to allow patients to learn from the experiences of others. These sessions are also a great place to hash out recovery plan details and to forge connections that may end up lasting a lifetime.
Behavioral Therapies – These treatments are focused on changing the underlying behaviors that led to addiction and developing healthier life strategies to take the place of substance abuse.

What Types of Treatment Programs Are There?

There are three main types of treatment programs: detoxification, inpatient rehab, and outpatient rehabilitation.

Detoxification – This is the first stage of treatment and it’s focused primarily on helping the patient get through the initial stages of withdrawal. This is when the body is readjusting to functioning normally without the help of drugs. And it’s often accompanied by a range of uncomfortable side effects like:

A detox program helps keep patients from turning back to substance abuse by treating these symptoms and making the process far more manageable. These programs also protect patients from dangerous complications that may even be life-threatening.

Inpatient Rehabilitation – Rehab comes after detox. These programs tackle the mental side of addiction – specifically the self-destructive and compulsive drug-seeking behaviors.

And an inpatient type of rehabilitation provides the highest level of care. These programs require patients to eat, sleep, and receive treatment all in the same centralized location. A more controlled environment means that patients are far less likely to relapse and don’t have to worry about any distractions during treatment.

These programs are usually around 28 days long and typically offer the highest recovery rates available.

Outpatient Rehabilitation – The more flexible rehabilitation option, outpatient provides treatment sessions in the evenings or on the weekends. That way, patients can spend their days and nights as they wish while still getting the care they need to stay clean.

However, people struggling with anything other than a mild addiction may need a higher level of care in order to recover.

There are 3 main types of outpatient programs. The first is general outpatient and it requires the least time commitment per week (around 6 hours per week). Next comes intensive outpatient or IOP (around 10-15 hours per week). And last is partial hospitalization programs or PHPs (about 30 hours per week).

ALCOHOL

Alcohol use is common around the world, but addiction to alcohol can be deadly.

Alcohol
Alcohol Withdrawals
Binge Drinking
Types of Alcoholism
Underage Drinking

How does alcohol affect the body?

Alcohol is a depressant. And as a result, it causes many of the body’s processes to slow down. Reaction times and reflexes are stunted, thinking becomes fuzzy, and memory can also be impacted.

Breathing and heart rate also tend to slow down as well.

Like most other addictive substances, drinking alcohol also produces a “high” that most users are trying to achieve. This high of being drunk usually includes feelings like:

Euphoria
Excitement
Improved self-confidence
Higher sociability
Lowered inhibitions

How Common Is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is one of the most widespread addictions in the country. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 15.1 million American adults needed treatment for alcohol use in 2016.

And more than 91% didn’t receive treatment, mostly because the majority were in complete denial about their alcoholism.

What Are the Signs of Alcohol Intoxication?

Though it may be hard to spot the signs of mild intoxication, heavy alcohol consumption is marked by a number of easy-to-recognize signs. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), these signs include:

Slowed reaction times and reflexes
Poor motor coordination
Blurred vision
Slurred speech
Lowered inhibitions and increase in risk behavior
Lowered reasoning ability, impaired judgment
Memory loss
Confusion, anxiety, restlessness
Slowed heart rate, reduced blood pressure
Slowed breathing rate
Heavy sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Dehydration

What Are the Health Effects of Alcoholism?

No matter what stage of alcoholism someone is in, being a problem drinker can have serious health implications for anyone.

And these health effects can be especially numerous too.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), drinking too much can cause:

Permanent changes in the brain that lead to altered mood and behavior
Cardiomyopathy (stretching and drooping of the heart muscle)
Arrhythmias (irregular heart beat)
Stroke
High blood pressure
Steatosis (fatty liver disease)
Alcoholic hepatitis
Fibrosis
Cirrhosis
Pancreatitis
Cancer (head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal)
Weakened immune system

CANNABINOIDS

The Cannabinoid category of drugs is named because of how they affect the cannabinoid receptors in the human brain.

Cannabinoids
Dabs
Wax
Hashish
K2
Marijuana

How Do Cannabinoids Affect the Body?

Cannabinoids don’t fall neatly into the stimulant/depressant categorizations of most other drugs. And the effects that these drugs have on individuals vary wildly from person to person.

As such, the high from marijuana may come with a range of symptoms, including:

Altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
Altered sense of time
Changes in mood
Impaired body movement
Difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
Impaired memory
Hallucinations (when taken in high doses)
Delusions (when taken in high doses)
Psychosis (when taken in high doses)

While marijuana doesn’t necessarily cause physical dependency, the truth is that cannabinoids can be mentally addictive. And in fact, addiction doesn’t even require physical dependency.

As a result, these drugs can still bring on uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms while quitting.

How Common Are Cannabinoid Addictions?

Despite the fact that cannabinoids like marijuana are becoming legal across the country, studies have shown that marijuana addiction is common and often left untreated.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that around 2.5% of American adults (around 6 million people) met the criteria for having a marijuana addiction in the last year. About 6.3% of adults were estimated to have such an addiction at some point in their lives.

What Are the Signs of Cannabinoid Intoxication?

There are a few common signs of cannabinoid intoxication that tend to pop up. According to CESAR, these include:

Dizziness or trouble walking
Acting silly and giggly for no reason
Red, bloodshot, or glazed eyes
Anxiety and paranoia
Difficulty remembering things that just happened
Disinterest in activities or other things he or she used to enjoy

What Are the Health Effects of Cannabinoid Addiction?

Though it is often considered one of the safest illicit drugs today, marijuana and other cannabinoids can have a variety of negative effects on health. According to the CDC, some of the most notable include:

Altered brain development in younger people
Possibly higher rates of cancer
An increased risk of stroke and heart disease
Damaged lung tissues
On top of that, legal cannabinoids like K2 and Spice can be particularly dangerous. These are synthesized versions of marijuana and in many cases, what goes into them is not well regulated.

As a result, they may contain chemical compounds that interact with the brain differently than normal marijuana. The effects of these drugs can often be unpredictable and may be dangerous. Some side effects may include:

DEPRESSANTS

Depressants are a classification of drugs that are very dangerous, and they only become more dangerous with long term usage.

Ativan
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepine
Celexa
Cipralex
Depressants
GHB
Halcion
Klonopin
Lexapro
Librium
Lorazepam
Quaaludes
Sedatives
Seroquel
Tranquilizer
Valium
Xanax
Zoloft

How do depressants affect the body?

As the name suggests, central nervous system (CNS) depressants interact with the brain and the body to slow down certain processes. A lot of this slowing down is handled by one brain chemical in particular called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Many CNS depressants either make GABA more powerful or increase its rate of release in the brain.

The result is a relaxed, drowsy state that some people may find appealing. Some depressants may also bring on a sense of euphoria as well.

When taken in high doses, these drugs can also make it quite hard to concentrate and perform even the simplest tasks.

Some of the most common types of depressants include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and anti-psychotics.

What Are the Signs of Depressant Intoxication?

Some of the most common symptoms of depressant intoxication include:

Some signs that someone close to you might be abusing depressants could include:

Taking frequent naps throughout the day
Falling asleep in unusual situations like during a meal
Poor coordination or falling over
An inability to carry on a conversation

What Are the Health Effects of Depressant Addiction?

Abusing depressants habitually can cause a range of health effects. These may include:

Problems with thought, memory, and judgment
Disorientation and confusion
Muscle weakness
Loss of coordination
Slurred speech

Once a person becomes physically dependent on these drugs, getting clean can be especially hard since the withdrawal symptoms can be brutal. On top. Of that, these drugs are some of the only ones that have potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms.

That’s why it’s so important to partner with a professional facility when trying to recover from a depressant addiction.

HALLUCINOGENS

Hallucinogens have been around for a very long time and are popular because they cause the user to lose touch with reality.

DMT
Hallucinogens
Ketamine
LSD
Mushrooms
Peyote
PCP
Salvia

How Do Hallucinogens Affect the Body?

Hallucinogens include a wide variety of different drugs with different effects. But generally, these drugs fall into two categories in particular: classic hallucinogens like LSD and dissociative drugs such as PCP.

Both produce hallucinations – images, sounds, or physical sensations that aren’t really there. But dissociative drugs also typically cause the user to feel like they’re outside of their body and have no control over their actions.

Researchers believe that most classic hallucinogens affect the brain chemical serotonin, which helps control mood, sensory perception, and a range of other functions. As a result, highs from these drugs tend to create:

Intensified feelings and sensations (seeing brighter colors for example)
Changes in time perception
Spiritual experiences
Relaxation

Dissociative drugs tend to focus more on glutamate, which helps regulate responses to the environment, emotion, and memory. The highs from these drugs may cause:

Disorientation
Mood swings
Disassociation (feeling outside of the body)
Anxiety
Numbness

How Common is Hallucinogen Abuse?

According to NIDA, around 229,000 Americans over the age of 12 reported using LSD in the past month. And for dissociative drugs like PCP, around 33,000 Americans reported past-month use.

Among high school seniors, 5.9% abused salvia in the past year, 2.7% abused LSD, and 1.3% used PCP in the same time frame.

What Are the Signs of Hallucinogen Intoxication?

Some signs of classic hallucinogen intoxication include:

Some signs of dissociative drug intoxication include:

Panic
Psychotic symptoms
Inability to move
Trouble breathing
Amnesia
Increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature

What Are the Health Effects of Hallucinogen Addiction?

The long-term effects of hallucinogen addiction and abuse can be brutal.

For classic hallucinogens, they may cause persistent psychosis – a condition characterized by a series of mental problems like paranoia, disorganized thinking visual disturbances, and mood changes.

They can also cause a condition known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPDD). This condition is the technical name for drug flashbacks – spontaneous re-experiencing of drug effects like hallucinations long after taking them (days or even years afterwards).

Dissociative drugs can cause more serious effects that can end up being permanent. These may include:

Speech problems
Memory loss
Weight loss
Anxiety
Depression and suicidal thoughts

INHALANTS

There are so many products that you can find in your home that are actually very addictive and harmful for you.

Aerosol Sprays
Bath Salts
Cleaning Fluids
Gasoline
Inhalants
Paint Thinner
Vapes

How Do Inhalants Affect the Body?

Most inhalants affect the brain and the body by slowing down activity in the central nervous system. And as a result, the user tends to feel effects that are similar to those of alcohol. These may include:

Slurred or distorted speech
Lack of coordination
Euphoria
Dizziness

But since there are so many different products that are used as inhalants today, not all will have the same effects. Some, for instance, may also produce hallucinations and delusions.

In many cases, these effects tend to be short-lived, often only lasting for a few minutes at a time. This short high can drive users to abuse inhalants over and over in rapid succession. And after continued use, it can make abusers feel less self-conscious and less in control over their bodies.

How Common is Inhalant Abuse?

These drugs are actually the only substances that are abused more by young Americans than by adults. And according to NIDA, middle schoolers actually abuse them the most.

A 2018 study found that among high school seniors, 4.4% had used inhalants in some point of their life. Less than 2% had used them in the past year and only 0.7% had in the past month. But among 8th graders, 8.7% had abused inhalants in their lifetime with 4.6% using in the past year and 1.8% in the past month.

What Are the Signs of Inhalant Intoxication?

The most obvious signs of inhalant intoxication are similar to those of being drunk. As such, abusers may exhibit symptoms such as:

Since these inhalants are often poisonous, they may leave other physical signs including blisters on the skin and around the nose.

Also look for paint or other markings on the skin.

What Are the Health Effects of Inhalant Addiction?

Abusing inhalants is associated with a range of serious health effects, some of which can be long-term. These may include:

Abusing inhalants can also lead to what’s known as Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, and it can happen within minutes.

OPIATES AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG OPIOIDS

Opiates (which are sometimes referred to as Opioids) can be derived from the poppy plant, partially synthesized, or fully synthesized.

Amytal
Buprenorphine
Carfentanil
Darvon
Demerol
Dilaudid
Fentanyl
Heroin Addiction
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
IV Drugs
Kratom
Lorcet
Lortab
Methadone
Morphine
Opana
Opiates
Opium
Oxycodone
Oxycontin
Oxymorphone
Percocet
Soma
Suboxone
Subutex
Tramadol
Ultram
Vicodin

How Do Opioids Affect the Body?

Opioids are used in the medical community to help treat chronic and acute pain. They’re especially good at doing so because they stop pain sensations at a variety of different points in the body rather than just one.

They interact with the brain and the body by activating special cells called opioid receptors. These receptors help regulate pain sensations as well as mood and other functions. And when they’re activated by opioids, they can cause a variety of effects, including:

Euphoria
Relaxation
Pain relief
Sedation

The intensity of these feelings depends on the type of opioid as well as how it is administered. Heroin, for example, tends to bring on a “rush” of intensely pleasurable feelings that quickly fade away. Prescription opioids like OxyContin may come on more slowly but often last much longer.

The high from opioids is often quite strong. And it’s part of why these drugs are so highly addictive today.

How Common is Opioid Abuse?

Incredibly common.

America is in the middle of an opioid epidemic that continues to get worse every single year. From 1999 to 2017, almost 400,000 Americans have died from an overdose involving opioids. About 130 Americans die of an opioid overdose every single day.

The problem has gotten so out of hand that drug overdoses (driven largely by opioids) are now the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 55.

What Are the Signs of Opioid Intoxication?

Some signs of opioid intoxication include:

What Are the Health Effects of Opioid Addiction?

Some opioids like heroin can cause a deterioration of white matter in the brain. And as a result, heroin abusers may experience:

Poor decision-making abilities
Poor impulse control
Reduced ability to handle stressful situations

The compounds often mixed with illicit substances like heroin can also cause serious damage to internal organs like the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart.

Another health effect of opioid abuse is the risk of hypoxia. This condition is caused by too little oxygen flowing into the brain. This condition can cause permanent brain damage, coma, and even death.

Opioids tend to be taken intravenously (by injection) too. This method of administration also increases the risk of contracting blood diseases like HIV and hepatitis.

OPIATES AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG OPIOIDS

Opiates (which are sometimes referred to as Opioids) can be derived from the poppy plant, partially synthesized, or fully synthesized.

Amytal
Buprenorphine
Carfentanil
Darvon
Demerol
Dilaudid
Fentanyl
Heroin Addiction
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
IV Drugs
Kratom
Lorcet
Lortab
Methadone
Morphine
Opana
Opiates
Opium
Oxycodone
Oxycontin
Oxymorphone
Percocet
Soma
Suboxone
Subutex
Tramadol
Ultram
Vicodin

How Do Opioids Affect the Body?

Euphoria
Relaxation
Pain relief
Sedation

The high from opioids is often quite strong. And it’s part of why these drugs are so highly addictive today.

How Common is Opioid Abuse?

Incredibly common.

The problem has gotten so out of hand that drug overdoses (driven largely by opioids) are now the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 55.

What Are the Signs of Opioid Intoxication?

Some signs of opioid intoxication include:

What Are the Health Effects of Opioid Addiction?

Some opioids like heroin can cause a deterioration of white matter in the brain. And as a result, heroin abusers may experience:

Poor decision-making abilities
Poor impulse control
Reduced ability to handle stressful situations

The compounds often mixed with illicit substances like heroin can also cause serious damage to internal organs like the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart.

Opioids tend to be taken intravenously (by injection) too. This method of administration also increases the risk of contracting blood diseases like HIV and hepatitis.

OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS

When people learn that they’ve become addicted to prescription medications, once they recover from their surprise, they can understand how this occurred.

Diet Pills
Dramamine
Dxm Cough Medicine
Sleep Aids
Over The Counter Medications

How Do OTC Drugs Affect the Body?

OTC drugs affect the body in a variety of ways.

Diet pills, for example, tend to speed up the body’s natural processes. And that can lead to increased energy levels and restlessness as well as some light euphoria.

Sleep aids tend to do the opposite, just as you’d expect. And that can cause sedation and relaxation at normal levels. When abused at high doses, some people experience hallucinations and euphoria.

Both Dramamine (an anti-nausea medication) and DXM-based cough medicine can be taken in high quantities to produce hallucinations and euphoria as well.

What Are the Signs of OTC Drug Intoxication?

Some signs of OTC intoxication may include:

What Are the Health Effects of OTC Drug Addiction?

Some long-term health effects of OTC drug abuse may include:

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

In many ways, prescription medications are some of the most dangerous options when you’re talking about addiction.

Adderall
Ambien
Amytal
Biphetamine
Codeine
Concerta
Darvocet
Dexadrine
Darvon
Demerol
Dilaudid
Fentanyl
Flexeril
Gabapentin
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Lorcet
Lortab
Lunesta
Luvox
Morphine
Norco
Opana
Oxycodone
Painkillers
Percocet
Paxil
Prescription Medications
Ritalin
Sonata
Strattera
Vicodin

How Do Prescription Drugs Affect the Body?

Prescription drugs like those above are often far more powerful than over-the-counter medications.

These drugs fall into a number of different classes, including:

Opioids – These drugs are used to treat pain in patients, and they stimulate the opioid receptors in the brain and the body. Abuse can lead to euphoria, relaxation, and sedation.
Prescription Stimulants – These drugs are typically used to treat conditions like ADD and ADHD. Abuse can cause hyperactivity, euphoria, and increased sociability.
Anti-Depressants & Anticonvulsant Drugs – These drugs are used to treat depression and seizure disorders. Abusing them (often with other substances) can cause euphoria and relaxation.

What Are the Signs of Prescription Drug Intoxication?

For opioids, signs of intoxication may include:

For prescription stimulants, signs of intoxication may include:

For anti-depressants, signs of intoxication may include:

Confusion
Drowsiness
Scattered thinking
Inability to concentrate
Slurred speech

What Are the Health Effects of Prescription Drug Addiction?

The long-term health effects of prescription drug addiction are both varied and numerous. Just some of the most common major complications include:

STEROIDS

Anabolic steroids generally conjure up visions of athletes who use them to improve their performance in various sports, and the only time it really seems to be a problem for them is when they get caught.

Anabolic Steroids
Andadrol
Oxandrin
Stanozol

How Do Steroids Affect the Body?

Steroids are often prescribed to treat hormonal disorders because they are a synthetic version of the male sex hormone, testosterone. But when abused, they’re usually used to help stimulate muscle growth in athletes, body builders, and people looking to boost physical performance.

These drugs affect the body differently than other substances of abuse. Most importantly, they don’t directly affect the pleasure system in the brain like other drugs. And as a result, they aren’t associated with the “high” that comes with many other substances of abuse.

However, the muscle-building effects of the drugs can be mentally addictive in that abusers can get pleasure from seeing the results of the drug (i.e., impressive muscle growth).

And contrary to popular belief, steroids actually can be addictive.

What Are the Signs of Steroids Abuse?

The signs of steroid abuse include:

Physical:

Severe acne
Swelling of the hands and feet
Rapid muscle growth
Enlarged breasts
Oily skin

Mental:

Paranoia
Extreme irritability and aggression
Delusions
Impaired judgment
Mania

What Are the Health Effects of Steroids Abuse?

Some of the most notable long-term effects of steroid abuse include:

Kidney problems or failure
Liver damage and tumors
Enlarged heart, high blood pressure, and changes in blood cholesterol levels
Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke

In men:

Shrinking testicles
Decreased sperm count
Baldness
Development of breasts
Increased risk of prostate cancer

In women:

Growth of facial hair
Decreased breast size
Male pattern baldness
Irregular menstrual cycle
Deepened voice

STIMULANTS

It is very easy to become addicted to stimulants, and once you’re addicted, getting professional stimulant addiction treatment is the best way to stop taking them safely.

Amphetamines
Cocaine
Crack
Crystal Meth
Ecstasy
Flakka
Khat
Stimulants

How Do Stimulants Affect the Body?

Stimulants essentially speed up the processes of the brain and body by interacting with two chemicals in particular: dopamine and norepinephrine. Some drugs make these chemicals more readily available in the brain while others make them more powerful.

Abusing stimulants causes in an increase in alertness, attention, and energy levels. It can also cause euphoria at high levels as well.

Since stimulants affect dopamine in particular (a brain chemical that helps control learning and memory), addiction to stimulants can be both overpowering and widespread across America.

What Are the Signs of Stimulant Intoxication?

Some of the most common signs of stimulant intoxication include:

Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Increased breathing
Rapid movements, thoughts, and speaking
Darting eyes
Hand tremors
Oral fixations like clenching the jaw repeatedly
Dilated pupils

What Are the Health Effects of Stimulant Addiction?

Health risks associated with stimulant addiction include:

Malnourishment
Movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease
Irritability and restlessness
Paranoia
Auditory hallucinations
A higher risk of bloodborne diseases like HIV or hepatitis
Lung problems like pneumonia
Physical maladies like decayed gums or damaged nasal septum
Confusion
Memory loss
Sleeping problems
Violent behavior
Anxiety

NORTHPOINT RECOVERY: QUALITY NATIONAL ADDICTION TREATMENT

Addiction is a complex and devastating disease. And only a qualified treatment program can offer the absolute best chances at long-term recovery.

When it does come time to partner with a professional addiction program, Northpoint Recovery in Boise is the best in the Pacific Northwest.

Our 28-day inpatient program uses only evidence-based treatments that have been proven to promote recovery. Every plan is individually tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient. And we also have one of the highest staff-to-patient ratios in the region.

Plus, we’re nationally accredited by the Joint Commission – a testament to our dedication to quality service.

Just have a look at some of the testimonials from past patients.

Addiction doesn’t have to be a lifelong disease. And with the right support, it can be overcome.

We’d love to help you recover today. So please, contact us now to get started.

Drug Addiction Information & Resources

What is Drug Addiction?

What Are the Signs of Addiction?

Do Addicts Need Treatment?

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OPIATES AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG OPIOIDS

OPIATES AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG OPIOIDS

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STEROIDS

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NORTHPOINT RECOVERY: QUALITY NATIONAL ADDICTION TREATMENT

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