Consequences of drug addiction - how will addiction end?

How does addiction occur?

The state of drug intoxication causes a feeling of euphoria in a person, allows you to “switch off”, forget about pressing problems and worries, relieve pain, stress, and psychological tension. Not only do you not want to return to a natural sober state, but sometimes it is simply impossible. All the thoughts of the addict are focused on searching for the drug and taking the next dose, that is, on returning to the state that they experience under the influence of the toxic substance.

Unfortunately, most drugs very quickly cause not only psychological, but also physical dependence. When the effect of the substance ends, the drug addict begins to experience withdrawal - extremely unpleasant physical sensations, which can be eliminated in two ways - by taking another dose of the drug or by removing the drug from the body with the help of medications.

Drug addiction is a sensitive topic, so addicts never go to doctors voluntarily and try in every possible way to hide their addiction from loved ones and family members. With each subsequent dose, tolerance to the substance used increases, and you have to increase the dose to achieve the desired effect. At some point in the development of drug addiction, the harm to the body becomes critical - the person simply dies, as his organs and organ systems cease to function.

Types of drug addiction

It is customary to distinguish the following groups of drug addicts:

1. The first category includes dependence on substances obtained from poppy juice or similar substances. Dependence on methadone, heroin, and morphine is also included. It is considered the most dangerous species. Most often, after consumption, a feeling of euphoria, drowsiness and relaxation appears. Injection syringes are used for consumption, which increases the likelihood of developing infectious diseases, including AIDS and HIV.
2. Cocaine addiction. In comparison with the first group, it is a milder form of the disease. When consumed, the same euphoria, a feeling of inspiration appears, and thinking accelerates. But gradually the positive effect is replaced by mental disorders, deteriorating appearance and health.
3. Amphetamine use. Most of the impact falls on the mental state, and at the same level addiction is formed. This is an effective stimulant that increases mood, activity, and a boost of vigor. With a sharp refusal, abstinence occurs.
4. LSD. It gained popularity among young people relatively recently. Classified as soft drugs. Initially it lifts the mood, but after the action is completed, panic attacks, fears, and anxiety occur. Regardless of what drug is used, a person often experiences auditory and visual hallucinations, delusional thoughts and clouded consciousness.

What do drug addicts die from?

Drug addicts rarely live beyond the age of 30 - toxic substances quickly destroy the body and lead to death. But this is not the only way to the grave - even the first dose can be fatal. The following are the leading causes of drug-related deaths.

• Individual reaction of the body to the drug. Often a person tries drugs under the influence of acquaintances, who vividly describe the state of euphoria and convince them that it is not scary. But each body reacts to toxic substances differently. Often, during the first use of a seemingly insignificant dose of a drug, a person experiences anaphylactic shock or cardiac arrest.
• Substances of dubious origin. As you know, drugs cost a lot of money, and an addict cannot do without another dose. Therefore, drug addicts often buy low-quality substances with impurities of unknown origin. Impurities sometimes turn out to be no less harmful than the drug itself. The use of low-quality drugs regularly leads to the death of addicts, and just one dose can be fatal.
• Overdose. Regular use of a narcotic substance leads to the formation of tolerance to it, that is, over time the dose has to be increased. The drug addict is not able to independently calculate how much exactly the dose needs to be increased, which is why deaths from overdose among drug addicts are very common.
• Withdrawal. Depending on the type of drug, withdrawal may be more or less severe. There are often cases when the addict’s body, exhausted by regular drug use, simply cannot withstand the symptoms of withdrawal. That is why drug addicts should not be locked at home without the opportunity to take the drug - first they must detoxify the body by seeking help from professional doctors.
• Suicide. In a state of drug intoxication, addicts often lose control over their actions and thoughts, hallucinations and panic attacks occur. A person can unintentionally commit suicide, for example, by falling out of a window or throwing himself under a car, because he is not aware of what is happening to him and where he is. There may also be deliberate suicide, usually in a state of withdrawal. The addict feels extremely bad, does not have the opportunity to take the drug, so he sees the only way to end his torment - to take his own life.
• Non-sterile administration of the substance. Drug addicts who use together can use one syringe for everyone; there is a high probability of contracting AIDS, hepatitis, and syphilis. Even basic hygiene standards are not always observed when administering a drug; blood poisoning is possible.

In addition to intravenous methods of administering drugs, there are others - drugs are smoked, inhaled, etc. The harm of smoking and drug addiction affects the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, esophagus, lungs, and the condition of blood vessels.

Prevention rules

Prevention involves more than just formal communication with people. The information that is conveyed to them must meet the relevant requirements:

• It should be positive, inspiring and motivating.
• Even if the information is negative, it should highlight the consequences of drug use.
• The media should not promote drug use.
• All information that is conveyed to the population should be prepared only by professional doctors.
• All information must be approved by the appropriate council, which should include narcologists, psychologists, therapists and psychotherapists.

These are primary prevention activities for the population.

Consequences for the body

Drug use primarily affects the state of the brain; drug addiction leads to decreased intelligence, dementia, severe psychosis, and depression. The immune system suffers - the body cannot resist basic diseases and infections, even a common cold can cause complications that are incompatible with life. The harm caused by alcoholism and drug addiction to the liver is enormous - the inability of this organ to function normally leads to severe intoxication of the entire body. When smoking and inhaling psychotropic substances, lung cancer, bronchitis develops, and respiratory arrest may occur. The cardiovascular system suffers, arrhythmia appears, and the risk of heart attack increases.

Drug use has a huge impact on the reproductive system and sexual functions of both men and women. Sexual desire weakens, the sensitivity of the skin and mucous membranes decreases. The thing is that the amount of sex hormones is reduced. Men suffer from impotence, women from infertility. Women experience menstrual irregularities up to the complete absence of menstruation. If a person who uses drugs manages to conceive a child, there is a high probability of miscarriage, and the child will be born with mental and physical disabilities and will be developmentally delayed. If a woman uses drugs while pregnant or lactating, she causes irreparable harm to the health of the child.

How dangerous is substance abuse?

In our country, there is an acute problem of substance abuse among adolescents. According to statistics, addiction begins to develop at the age of 8-14 years. Addiction is widespread due to the availability of illicit substances.

Children can easily purchase or find glue, gasoline, acetone, and paint at home. A child, having tried to sniff substances, shares his impressions with friends, drawing attention to substance abuse among his peers. The difficulties of adolescence increase cravings.

Personal and social aspects

Drug addiction quickly leads to personality degradation. Family relationships collapse, marriages break up, the addict skips school and work, and is ultimately left without a livelihood. All savings are spent on purchasing the next dose. When the money runs out, the addict begins to sell his belongings and the belongings of family members, often descending to theft, followed by robbery and even murder. With such a lifestyle, there can be no talk of any employment or healthy family relationships. Often, drug addicts end up in prison or receive a suspended sentence, which significantly ruins their lives in the future, even if they manage to recover from addiction. You can also go to prison for possessing and manufacturing drugs.

Regular use of narcotic substances leads to decreased intelligence, memory impairment, and mental illness, which is why in the future, even after getting rid of addiction, a person cannot become a full-fledged member of society and becomes disabled. Drug use affects a person's appearance; drug addicts look much older than their years. To return to normal life, long-term rehabilitation with the support of loved ones is required. But often relationships with others deteriorate so much that the addict is left alone and, upon leaving the clinic, goes back to those with whom he can use.

Of course, relatives of an addict become codependent, sometimes without realizing it. A compassionate mother gives her son her last money, even knowing why he is asking for it. The wife covers for her husband, does not send him to treatment for drug addiction, is ashamed of the publicity, or hopes that he himself will give up drugs. A drug addict involves people around him in his addiction. Sooner or later, the problem is revealed, which harms the reputation of not only the addict, but his family. Living with the thought that someone dear to you has become a drug addict is very difficult; this problem is depressing and leads to depression; codependents can also lose their jobs or lose relationships due to constant worries and stress.

Drug addicts are unable to help themselves - all responsibility falls on relatives and family members. If someone close to you is faced with this misfortune, his life is in your hands. Contact a drug treatment clinic as soon as possible and start fighting this terrible disease.

How long does drug withdrawal last?

Without any help, a drug addict's withdrawal will take a long time. The first symptoms will appear within 8-12 hours (sometimes earlier). How long drug withdrawal lasts depends on the drug and length of use. 2-5 weeks is an approximate time frame to expect. The most severe methadone withdrawal is the longest.

Don't try to overcome addiction on your own. It doesn’t matter how many days withdrawal lasts after drug withdrawal. Even after you overcome the horrors of withdrawal symptoms, the consequences of use may remain with you forever: mental, physical and emotional. And only certain actions (the right rehabilitation program) can help rid a person of them, returning him to his previous good condition and providing him with skills for life.

Treatment options for drug addiction

Our rehabilitation center provides treatment for all types of drug addiction. Using only modern technologies, medicines and equipment in our work, we act according to the following scheme:

• a general consultation is held, at which further ways to solve the problem are determined, the timing and cost of treatment are discussed;
• the dependent’s consent to treatment is negotiated and confirmed;
• the patient's body is cleansed of toxic substances;
• the patient is placed in a hospital, where a set of measures aimed at his rehabilitation is carried out;
• psychologists and other specialists carry out social adaptation of the patient to life in society.

In order to exclude relapses after the patient is discharged from the hospital, he needs lifelong support from relatives. Therefore, during the rehabilitation period, they attend psychological lectures and seminars, where they learn further behavior with drug addicts.

Cost of our center services

Changes in health status

External signs of drug use are not always enough to determine whether a person is addicted to drugs or not. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to his state of health. Drug addiction is a disease that negatively affects the condition of all internal organs of a person. In addition, during the period of withdrawal syndrome, a particular deterioration in health occurs, which manifests itself in a number of symptoms. Let's list those that should especially alert you, especially when coupled with external signs.

• A person’s body weight can change dramatically and for no reason. A large number of kilograms are being lost, up to ten per week.
• The patient has constant thirst and dry mouth.
• Changes in eating behavior. A person may eat almost nothing for several days and then begin to overeat.
• Disturbance in sleep and wakefulness. A drug addict may not sleep at all for several days in a row, this is how some drugs work.
• There are jumps in blood pressure from low to excessively high.
• Persistent cough that cannot be treated with medication.
• Problems with the gastrointestinal tract of various kinds begin, from diarrhea to prolonged constipation.

Preventive measures

Drug addiction, as a rule, develops due to socio-psychological problems in the family, environment, and at work. To reduce the risk of addiction, you need to:

• resolve conflicts without scandals, reproaches, quarrels;
• do not manipulate, do not engage in assault, do not abuse your authority;
• listen carefully to loved ones, do not expose what is said to people, do not reproach them during conflicts;
• provide support to relatives: do not laugh at their dreams, help achieve their goals, and not interfere with this;
• Do not throw out negative emotions on children, show them a balanced, calm model of behavior.

Many people become addicted to drugs because of curiosity and a lot of free time. To prevent this from happening, you need to find a passion, a hobby. Travel more, play sports, do active recreation.