Drug addiction is a state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by the repeated consumption of a drug (natural or synthetic) in order to function

normally. Its characteristics include: (i) an overpowering desire or need (compulsion) to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means; (ii) a tendency to increase the dose; (iii) a psychic (psychological) and generally a physical dependence on the effects of the drug; and (iv) detrimental effects on the individual and on society.

Depressants Stimulants

Depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines work by increasing th

Stimulants such as amphetamines, nicotine, and cocaine increase dopamine signaling .

Nearly all addictive drugs, directly or indirectly, act upon the brains reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine. As a person continues to over stimulate the reward circuit, the brain adapts to the overwhelming surges in the drug by producing less of the hormones or by reducing the number of receptors in the reward circuit. As a result, the chemicals impact on the reward circuit is lessened, reducing the drug-abusers ability to enjoy the things that previously brought pleasure. This decrease compels those addicted to the drug, to increase the drug consumption in order to re-create the earlier or initial experiences and to bring their "feel-good" hormone level back to normal an effect known as tolerance. Development of drug tolerance can eventually lead to profound changes in neurons and brain circuits, with the potential to severely compromise the long-term health and functioning of a person's brain. Modern antipsychotic are designed to block drug function. Unfortunately, this blocking can also cause relapses into depression, and increases in addictive behaviors.

Addictive drugs may be legal, legal only as part of a government sponsored study, illegal to use for any purpose, illegal to sell, or even illegal to merely possess. Most countries have legislation which brings various drugs and druglike substances under the control of licensing systems. Typically this legislation covers any or all of the opiates, amphetamines, cannabinoids, cocaine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, anesthetics, hallucinogenic, derivatives and a variety of more modern synthetic drugs. Unlicensed production, supply or possession is a criminal offence. Although the legislation may be justifiable on moral or public health grounds, it can make addiction or dependency a much more serious issue for the individual: reliable supplies of a drug become difficult to secure, and the individual becomes vulnerable to both criminal abuse and legal punishment.

Espoused by both psychoanalysts and biological researchers, self-medication hypotheses predict that certain individuals abuse drugs in an attempt to self-medicate their unique and seemingly intolerable states of mind. The self-medication theory has a long history. Freud in 1884, first raised this concept in noting the anti-depressing properties of cocaine. Stress has long been recognized as a major contributor for drug cravings and relapse and is therefore supportive of the self-medication theory. In line with this theory, a person's use of a particular drug of choice is not an accident, but rather it is chosen for its pharmacological effect in relieving stressful symptoms or unwanted feelings. Research has shown that people who survive disasters are prone to stress-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. People who experience major trauma in their life may self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs to relieve the symptoms of PTSD and depression

Scour Your Family History To begin on a path toward preventing drug addiction, you may first need to look at your familys history of addiction. Although addiction can happen to anyone, some families are more apt to become addicted to substances and activities than others. Genetics and brain chemistry could be to blame, so if your grandfather was addicted to cigarettes and gambling, you are probably much more likely to exhibit an addictive personality as well. Unfortunately, the very genetic makeup that grandpa passed down to you could make it easier to become addicted to any substance or activity. For example, even though your grandfathers addiction was tobacco, you could become addicted to an illegal drug easier than someone whose family does not possess an addictive genetic makeup. Fortunately, though, if you are aware of your familial addictive tendencies, you can take steps to better avoid drugs. These can include hanging out with friends who dont use, avoiding parties where drugs may be involved, and being prepared to turn down an offered drug. Abstaining from drugs entirely can be one of the best ways to avoid becoming addicted. For more information about abstaining, you may wish to contact an addiction treatment recovery center in your area. Deal with Pressure Another area to watch in your quest to prevent an addiction to drugs is life pressures. When life gets rough, it can become easier to desire pills or drugs to ease the pain, especially if you have an addictive personality. In this case, you may wish to seek other activities that can help relieve pressure, like yoga, meditation, exercise or therapy. In fact, even if you are battling the choice to become addicted, addiction treatment at a recovery center, like Vista Taos in New Mexico, could help you arm yourself with alternate ways to battle lifes pressures. At an addiction treatment recovery center, the staff could guide you to the best methods for addiction resistance for your particular scenario, thereby arming you personally with the tools necessary for continuing a drug-free life.

Balance Your Life

In a similar line of thought to dealing with pressure, finding life balance can help you resist an addictive lifestyle. Sometimes life pressures present themselves all at once, like above, but other times, lifes pressures build over time. If you are not balancing these pressures on a daily basis, they can snowball to become one huge issue. And when this happens, it is much more difficult to resist the call to drugs. To balance your life, you may need to take up yoga, meditation, exercise or therapy, like above. However, other methods to combat imbalance can be taken. You might need some time to yourself, so finding a friend or family member to take the kids for a few hours could help. Maybe you need help at work; talking over pressures at work with your boss can help you feel more in control. No matter what pressures in life you are facing, there may be a perfect solution; if you have trouble finding this solution on your own, seeking help through an addiction treatment recovery center may set you on the right path.

Seek Help for a Mental Illness

Those who face mental illness may have more trouble resisting addiction to drugs, so if you suspect mental illness may play a part in your life, seeking help could set you on a path to both a happier life and a better ability to resist drugs. Counselors can help pinpoint your specific mental illness in a caring environment, without judgment; mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, and tackling the issues may lead to a higher quality of life, without dependence on illegal substances. Addiction to drugs can happen to anyone; however, there are many contributing factors that may make addiction more likely. Family genes, life pressures, an unbalanced life, and mental illness can all contribute to drug addiction. Thankfully, watching for these four triggers can help you be more aware of the influence they may play in your life. If you are having trouble resisting the call to drugs for any of these reasons, you may benefit from preventative addiction treatment at a recovery center.

Elizabeth was just 13 years old when she had her first drink - this is a story of her descent into drug addiction. After that first drink, she found she liked the way it made her feel, so she had a couple of more. Before long, she experienced her first time being drunk, and the door had opened. This story of drug addiction usually paints a very similar picture from addict to addict. They share many aspects of their stories and they often share tragic endings. Elizabeth soon progressed to smoking pot after school, and before long she was using it every day often smoking before school as well. She found it difficult to find enough money to buy her marijuana, so she began taking money from her mother's purse when she wasn't looking. It made her feel horrible, so she smoked the pot to help her cope with her guilt. Drug addiction is no laughing matter. This isn't a comedy; it's more of a dramatic story about losing control once and not being able to regain it back. When Elizabeth was 17, a friend offered her some methamphetamine. By this time, she was known as a party girl and wasn't about to tarnish that image. She snorted the white powder and was transformed. She became more than the life of the party; she became THE party. People wanted to be around her because she was so much fun. She couldn't believe it took her so long to find this amazing high. At 19, Elizabeth had a baby. She wasn't sure who the father was, and the baby was born addicted to crack. The doctors knew this and her son was taken from her before she was even released from the hospital. Despondent over this loss, when she did leave, she immediately sought out her dealer and got high. Twenty-one year old Elizabeth was arrested for possession of drugs for the third time in one month. She is put in jail to await trial. The judge orders her into a rehabilitation facility. She attends for the required treatment time and, once home, uses drugs after just two days. At 22, her parents are planning her funeral. She was found in her basement dead from a drug overdose. The story of drug addiction is often bleak and depressing. The tale is told over and over again all over the world. It's sad because it's preventable. Don't let you or a loved one be another tragic story of drug addiction.