Drug Addiction an Overview

Substance use disorders, commonly known as Drug Addiction, is a chronic and relapsing illness characterized by compulsion to use a substance (Drug) despite harmful consequences, loss of control in limiting intake and resulting emotional and behavioral disturbances. In most of the cases the onset of drug use behavior is voluntary but over time due to continuous use and changes in the brain, one’s self control is lost and it becomes a compulsive behavior due to emergence of withdrawal symptoms.

Common Substances that can Cause Addiction:

Few common substances of abuse prevalent in our society is Alcohol, Nicotine, Opioids (Heroin, Morphine, Codeine, Cannabis (Ganja, Bhang) and Volatile substances (prevalent in Child and Adolescent population).

During periods of abstinence after developing drug dependence one has substance specific withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms are:

• Tremulousness
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Palpitation
• Impairment Of Consciousness
• Delirium
• Seizures

Whereas in opioid withdrawal one can have body ache, diarrohea, yawning, lacrimation and restlessness.

Be Aware of Addiction and Take an Action to Curb it:

Out of various risk factors for addiction one’s biology, social,environmental and familial environmental factors along with availability of drugs are more important. Addiction is an illness rather than habit and so it should be treated under proper supervision. Most drug’s stimulates brain’s reward circuit resulting in pleasurable ‘high’ that leads to one’s drug intake again and again.

 Internet addiction has also been included and contributes significantly to the disease burden. Addiction is a treatable condition. Parents, family members, teachers and health care professionals have a crucial role in educating and spreading awareness in the society especially among younger population and identifying persons, who are addicted, to be treats appropriately.