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INFORMATION

 An addiction is a habitual mental and   physical dependence on a substance 

An addiction is a habitual mental and physical dependence on a substance or practice beyond one's voluntary control which is characterized by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal.

A person with addiction usually has 3 or more of the following:

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  Signs and Symptoms of Addiction:

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  • A tolerance for the substance or practice that requires increasing amounts to achieve the same effect.

  • Strong cravings for the substance or practice.

  • Being unable to stop using the substance or practice without going through withdrawal.

  • Loss of control over frequency and amounts of drug or substance usage.

  • Preoccupation with the substance or practice.

  • Inability to meet obligations to family, job, or other personal interests because of the substance or practice.

  • Physical or psychological deterioration due to use of the substance or practice.

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  TYPES OF ADDICTION: 

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  • Alcohol

  • Illegal drugs

  • Prescription drugs

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  Alcoholism:

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Alcoholism is a disease characterized by the habitual intake of alcohol. The definition of alcoholism is chronic alcohol use to the degree that it interferes with physical or mental health, or with normal social or work behaviour.

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Alcoholism is a disease that produces both physical and psychological addiction. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that reduces anxiety, inhibition, and feelings of guilt. It lowers alertness and impairs perception, judgment, and motor coordination. In high doses, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death. Alcoholism is a disease that damages the brain, liver, heart, and other organs.

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Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism:

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  • Increasing tolerance to the effects of alcohol. You may have heard the expression that someone can "hold their liquor." This is not a sign that this person will not have problems with alcohol; in fact, this may be an early sign of alcoholism as a disease.

  • A growing preoccupation with or interest in drinking. Also drinking alone or drinking before an activity where there will be drinking. It may seem as though one simply enjoys drinking. We now know that these can be part of the definition of alcoholism.

  • A person will dispute their drinking is a problem. This symptom, called denial, is almost always present in the disease of alcoholism.

  • Later, difficulties in relationships, on the job, or with the law often occur.

  • Hiding alcohol or sneaking drinks

  • Gulping the first few drinks

  • Wanting to drink more, or longer, than the rest of the crowd

  • Losing control of drinking, leading to attempts to control it 

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Cocaine:

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Cocaine, also known as coke, is a strong stimulant and highly addictive, mostly used as a recreational drug. It is commonly snorted, inhaled, or injected into the veins. Mental effects may include loss of contact with reality, an intense feeling of happiness, or agitation. Physical symptoms may include a fast heart rate, sweating, and large pupils.

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Signs and Symptoms:

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Appearance:

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  • Dilated pupils

  • Runny nose (snorting)

  • Nosebleeds (snorting)

  • Track marks (injecting)

  • Burned lips or fingers (smoking)

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Heart:

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  • Fast heart rate

  • Constricted blood vessels

  • Enlarged Heart

  • Heart attacks

  • Cardiac arrest

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Mental state:

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  • Euphoria

  • Overconfidence

  • Unusual excitement

  • Aggressiveness

  • Paranoia

  • Poor judgment

  • Delusions

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