Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Drug abuse involves the overuse of illegal recreational and/or prescription drugs. Abused drugs can include marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, meth, acid, heroin, and depressants. People may often abuse drugs to experience a “high” and to cope with emotional problems and stress, which can lead to drug dependency or addiction. Drug addiction develops when people can’t stop using drugs because they constantly need the high. Drug dependency can be physical or psychological—with physical drug addiction, the body has become accustomed to having a higher level of a substance and it experiences withdrawal when the level is lower than usual and with psychological drug addiction, people are emotionally dependent on a substance and feel like they need it to function. People suffering from drug addiction can be aware of the negative impact that drug abuse has on them, but they are unable to stop. Alcohol abuse involves drinking large amounts of alcohol, either consistently over a period of time or during a binge. People who abuse alcohol are also likely to engage in high risk sex, smoke tobacco, perform poorly at school or work, and use drugs illegally. Using illegal substances can worsen the effects of alcohol abuse, which are already significantly harmful. Drinking too much can damage the liver, heart, brain, and nervous system, and other physical problems like stomach ache, cancer, sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis. Behavioral problems like violence and drunk driving can also arise. Drug and alcohol abuse doesn’t only affect abusers themselves. It can be heartbreaking for family and friends to witness someone they love experience drug addiction, and people close to the victim might feel guilty for not having prevented it or recognized the signs. But family and friends can have a great impact in getting drug abusers on the road to recovery. Drug and alcohol abuse is very dangerous, and it’s an issue that requires immediate intervention. It’s important that victims recognize they have a problem and seek help as soon as they can. It can be difficult to recover from substance abuse, but treatment is available and addiction recovery is possible.