Addictions are caused by many unfortunate factors resulting in becoming an uncontrollable disease. Following scientific research, addiction is known to be a disease that affects both the brain and behavior. Many of the biological and environmental factors were identified and the search for genetic variation that contributes to the development and progression of the disease began. Scientists use this knowledge to develop effective preventive and therapeutic approaches that reduce the cost to people, families, and communities.
A basic fact about the disease is that it is a chronic, incurable disease. Addiction is a long-term illness that constantly deteriorates the patient’s condition and has no cure. You can not recover from it. In other words, once addicted – always hooked! The main symptom, of course, is the compulsive, uncontrolled use of drugs and other substances that change the state of consciousness. Some argue that addiction was present in the addict even before the onset of drug use. While this is a claim that has not been fully tested, the experience of many addicts demonstrates it. The functioning of many addicts was impaired long before they started using drugs. Drug use worsened dysfunction, in other words, exacerbated the disease, or reflected its worsening. And this is a basic fact about addiction – is an advanced disease, which gets worse with time. The more time passes, the worse the situation of the addicts, in terms of control and destruction that the disease brings to their lives. This is a fact that needs to be emphasized to the patients – they suffer from an advanced disease that apparently began even before their first use of drugs, and which leads to death through suffering. People of all ages suffer from the harmful consequences of drug abuse and addiction.
Babies exposed in the womb to legal and illegal drugs may be born prematurely and of low weight. Exposure to drugs may slow down the child’s intellectual development and influence his behavior in later life.Adolescents who abuse drugs often have behavioral problems, fail to do well, and drop out of school. They are at risk of unplanned pregnancies, violence, and infectious diseases.Adults who abuse drugs often have problems with thinking, memory, and concentration. They develop inappropriate social behaviors as a result of drug abuse and have problems with work and interpersonal relationships.When parents abuse drugs, the situation generally reflects an atmosphere of stress and chaos at home, abuse, and neglect. These conditions harm the welfare and development of children and may lead to drug abuse in the next generation.Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress-related disorders and depression begin to use drugs to reduce the sense of distress they feel. Most drugs cause an increased sense of pleasure. This initial feeling of euphoria is replaced by other influences, depending on the type of drug. For example, using stimulants such as cocaine, after the “high” comes a sense of strength, self-confidence and increased energy. In contrast, euphoria caused by opiates, such as heroin, is replaced by a sense of relaxation and satisfaction. Stress is a very important factor in the initiation of drug use, the continued abuse of drugs, and the reuse of drugs in patients recovering from addiction. Some people feel pressure to chemically improve their athletic or cognitive performance, which can lead to an initial experiment with drugs and their continued use.
Out of curiosity and “because others do it.” In this context, adolescents in particular are vulnerable, due to the strong influence of social pressure; They will, for example, tend to engage in “exciting” and “daring” behaviors. Home and family. The influence of the home environment is very important during childhood. Parents or older relatives who abuse alcohol or drugs or are involved in criminal behavior may increase the risk that children will develop drug problems.
Friends and school. Friends have the greatest impact during adolescence. Friends who abuse drugs may lead children to experiment with drugs for the first time, even if they are not in the group with risk factors. Poor academic or social skills can also be a risk factor for drug abuse.
Although use of drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows that the earlier a person begins to use, the greater the risk that their use will develop into a more severe level of use. This may reflect the harmful effects of drugs on the developing brain; And may reflect a wide range of vulnerability factors, biological and social, including genetic predisposition, mental disorders, unstable family relationships, and exposure to physical and sexual abuse. In any case, the facts show that drug use at an early age is a strong predictor of future problems, including misuse of psychoactive substances and addiction. Smoking or injecting drugs increases its addictive potential. Drugs that have been smoked or injected are entering the brain within seconds, creating a strong sense of pleasure. However, the “high” disappears in minutes, and the user feels lower, more normal levels of feeling. The contrast is clearly felt, and scientists believe it is this feeling that brings users to reuse drugs to re-feel the same state of heightened pleasure.
The risk of drug abuse increases in times of transition, such as the transition between schools, apartments, or divorce. If it is possible to prevent drug abuse, it will be possible to prevent drug addiction. During early adolescence, when children move from elementary to junior high school, they face new and challenging social and learning situations. Children are often exposed to psychoactive substances, such as cigarettes and alcohol, for the first time in their lives. When they reach high school, they may come across greater drug and drug abuse by older teens and take part in social activities involving drugs. At the same time, other behaviors that are normal aspects of development, such as wanting to do something new or dangerous, may increase the tendency to experiment with drugs. Some teenagers will succumb to pressure from friends who use drugs to experiment with drugs. Others may think that drug use (such as steroids) can improve their appearance or success in sports, or that drug abuse, such as alcohol and ecstasy, will ease anxiety in social situations. The skills of adolescents who are still in the developmental process of judgment and decision-making may limit their ability to assess dangers and make informed decisions about drug use.