Addiction usually starts when someone experiments with drugs or alcohol.
Why do some people go on to become addicts while others do not? Complex genetic,
biological, and psychological factors come into play.
Once they are addicted, addicts feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable need for
their substance of choice—be it drugs or alcohol or risky behaviors. At that moment,
they do not care about the consequences of consumption. All they want is the associated “high.”
The good news is that with medications, counseling, and the desire to quit, addictions are
treatable. The road is not easy—and may require lifelong avoidance of previous behavior.
But the rewards of recovery benefit everyone.
Like all parts of the human body, your brain is made up of cells, which connect
to one another via tiny receptors. The gaps between cells where they meet are called
synapses (sin-ap-seas), and allow for chemicals and electrical impulses to travel from
cell to cell.
When you do something pleasurable (e.g., eat something tasty, touch something soft,
or solve a problem), your brain produces various chemicals that float through the synapses
and attach to parts of brain cells called receptors. This is how you feel pleasure.
When you drink or use a drug, your brain initially sends out its own chemicals. Drugs,
however, can stay in your system longer than many brain chemicals. Once the body’s chemicals
are gone, the drugs you have used may still get attached to the receptors. This is typically
what causes your body/mind to feel the “high” of drugs.
Once the drug has been processed through your body, the next release of your body’s own
natural chemicals won’t feel as good as the drug “high.” Recreational users may want to
feel that “high” again, but people who develop addiction problems will crave the “high”
so much that it takes over everything else, and becomes their main focus.
As you take more of the drug, your natural body brain chemical production will slow or stop
altogether. You will soon be taking the drug to compensate for the lack typical brain chemicals
in your body—you are now dependent on the drug, or “hooked.”
Compounding the problem, once a set of synapses gets used, the brain adjusts to using them more
frequently. Essentially, the brain rewires itself to this new reward system. In the case of an
addict, the brain rewires itself to “needing” the pathway the drug provides for pleasure.
New pathways form around the self-regulating pathways of your brain. Taking the drug becomes
such a priority—a need—that addicts can’t control how they get it, or the things they do while
using. This is how addiction can ruin the life of the addict, and those close to them.
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Alcoholism is a disease that does not distinguish between gender, race, or
income level. It is classified by preoccupation with alcohol and lack of
control over consumption. It is a physical dependency. Genetic, psychological,
and social factors contribute to the disease.
Alcoholism gets worse over time. If untreated, it can be fatal. Chronic
alcohol use and abuse increases the risk for liver disease, high blood
pressure, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. Alcohol abusers continue
despite serious adverse health, personal, work-related and financial consequences;
they are not in control.
In the United States alone, alcohol abuse and addiction costs $40–$60 billion
each year due to lost work production, health and medical care, motor vehicle
accidents, violent crime, and social programs. It is a serious problem.
Because of the social stigma—e.g., how they feel they are judged because they are
losing control due to alcohol—people with alcohol problems are very good at hiding
their condition—even from themselves.
Here are some questions that doctors use to help identify who has an alcohol problem:
- Do you crave alcohol?
- Can you stop after just one drink?
- Do you need more alcohol to get “buzzed” or drunk than you used to?
- Do you feel guilt or shame about your drinking?
- Have you blacked out or forgot what you did when drinking?
- Do you have withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, shakiness, anxiety) when you stop drinking?
- Have friends or family members expressed concern about your drinking?
Talk to you doctor about your condition and see what he or she recommends.
Experts today recommend, at most, drinking in moderation only.
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Moderate
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Excessive
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Men
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2 drinks per day
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More than 14 drinks per week, or 4 per occasion
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Women
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1 drink per day
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More than 7 drinks per week, or 3 per occasion
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Young adults from 18 to 29 have the highest cases of alcohol abuse.
If you began to drink before the age of 14, you are at greater risk for
developing alcohol-related health problems, and/or addiction. Most alcoholics
started drinking at an early age.
Alcohol addiction is a disease. Many people still believe, however, that it is
simply a lack of willpower. But if that were true, anyone could quit at any time,
and we know that this is not possible. Further, genetic research shows that certain
people are more likely to become alcoholics than others.
Because of this misconception, many people in early recovery face shame and misunderstanding
from people who learn of their condition. Compounded with feelings of guilt and shame for
hurting those closest to them, these feelings often lead to relapse. While a lack of willpower
is not enough to quit, a desire to quit is certainly necessary to start the process of recovery.
Risk Factors
You are at greater risk for alcohol addiction if one or both parents or grandparents had the
disease. You may also be at risk of co-dependency, a damaging psychological condition that
many believe contributes to the cycle of promoting alcoholism in others.
Check the Resources tab above to learn more about addiction and recovery, and find a program
to help you or a loved one.
If you or someone you love experiences any of the following symptoms as a result of
quitting alcohol, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room:
- Severe vomiting
- Confusion and disorientation
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Extreme agitation
- Seizures or convulsions
There are many resources available for alcoholics, including treatment centers and
12-step programs to help you or a loved one with an alcohol problem. The first step is
to admit that you have a problem. The second is to determine your path to quit.
For many addicts, denial is a major problem. If you suspect a friend or family has
an alcohol problem—you are not alone. Those close to addicts are often the first to
recognize a problem. You may want to consider an intervention, a process where those
close to the addict confront his or her problem in a safe, controlled manner.
Check the Resources tab above to find a recovery program to help you or someone you love.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Find 12-step meetings to help you get the support you need for problems with drugs or alcohol.
When you take the first step to rise from the bottom, there are people around who want to help you stand.
Please call.
Seton Hospital
Daly City 650-577-1310
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Drug addiction is an intense craving for and compulsive use of a legal or
illegal substance. An addict feels the need to use despite the negative or
dangerous effects of the drug. Genetic, psychological, and social factors
contribute to the condition.
Drug addiction gets worse over time. If untreated, it can be fatal. Abusers
continue despite serious adverse health, personal, work-related and financial
consequences; they are not in control.
Dependence
Drug dependence—your body needs the substance to function—can be part of addiction.
Some drugs (very often prescription drugs) cause physical dependence. Other drugs
lead to addiction, but have physical dependence (very often illegal drugs, like
cocaine).
If you become tolerant to a drug (you need a higher dose to attain prior effect or
“high”) this could be a sign of addiction. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned
about a drug you are taking.
Commonly Abused Substances
Talk to your doctor
If your drug use is causing problems or is out of control, ask for help.
Make an appointment to see a doctor if:
- You can't stop using a drug
- Your drug use has led to unsafe behavior, such as sharing needles or unprotected sex
- You think you may be having withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking a drug
Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know has taken a drug and:
- Loses consciousness
- Has trouble breathing
- Has seizures
- Has sharp chest pain or pressure
- Has a serious psychological reaction
- Has excessive vomiting
- Has a harmful physical reaction
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There are many resources available for substance abusers, including treatment
centers and 12-step programs to help you or a loved one with a drug problem.
The first step is to admit that you have a problem. The second is to determine
your path to quit.
For many addicts, denial is a major problem. If you suspect a friend or family has
a drug problem—you are not alone. Those close to addicts are often the first to recognize
a problem. You may want to consider an intervention, a process where those close to the
addict confront his or her problem in a safe, controlled manner.
Check the Resources tab above to find a recovery program to help you or someone you love.
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Many drug and alcohol users don’t think they have a problem. For many former addicts,
the road to recover began when concerned family members, friends, or co-workers stepped
in to persuade the user to seek treatment. This is called an intervention.
Typically, a group of family members, friends, church members, co-workers, or anyone close
to the user is invited to participate in the intervention. Usually, the group will meet at
the user’s home or office, and will then discuss their concerns with the user and relate
their personal stories of how the user’s actions have affected their lives.
To succeed, an intervention must be carefully planned and enacted. Since the user may be
in denial, confrontation may make the situation worse. Frequently, a plan of action,
including a treatment facility or a 12-step program, has been lined up to assist the user.
If you know of someone who has a drug or alcohol problem but refuses to acknowledge it, seek
guidance from a doctor, counselor, or other trained professional about interventions. There
are many resources available to help you.
Intervention Resources
Recovery is a process. It begins when a person recognizes he or she has a substance abuse problem,
and becomes daily practice—hence the 12-step program mantra: one day at a time.
For many, the process of recovery involves a treatment center. Some may need a residential period,
an outpatient program, or a sober living environment to begin their recovery path. The most important
thing is getting the help you need.
Talk to your doctor or a trained counselor. There are many resources available to help you get the
services you need to succeed.
Relapse
Relapse happens. Research shows that 90% of addicts relapse in the first four years following
treatment. Most people who relapse later identify triggers by high-risk situations, including:
- Anger/frustration
- Temptation
- Social Pressure
To help prevent a relapse, know your triggers. Resist situations that you know could be a problem
for you. Find a support group that works for you—and stick to your meetings!
Practice relaxation methods. Take up healthy hobbies, like Yoga, exercise, or something artistic.
Take responsibility for your actions and control over your life.
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