Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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What is Drug Addiction?
Drug addiction is a dependence on a street drug or a medication. When you're addicted, you may not be able to control
your drug use and you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. Drug addiction can cause an intense
craving for the drug. You may want to quit, but most people find they can't do it on their own.
Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, but for many what starts as casual use leads to drug addiction. Drug
addiction can cause serious, long-term consequences including problems with physical and mental health,
relationships, employment and the law.
You may need help from your doctor, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program to overcome
your drug addiction and stay drug-free.
Symptoms
Most drug addictions start with casual or social use of a drug. For some people, this is as far as it goes. For other
people, using the drug becomes a habit and use becomes more and more frequent. As time passes, you may need
larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you
may find that it becomes increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Stopping may cause intense cravings and make
you feel physically ill (withdrawal symptoms).
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include:
• Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — this can be daily or even several times a day
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
• Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
• Spending money on the drug even though you can't afford it
• Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
• Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
• Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug
Possible indications that your teenager is using drugs include:
• Problems at school
• Physical health issues
• Neglected appearance
• Changes in behavior
• Spending money
Recognizing signs of drug use and dependence
The particular signs and symptoms of drug use and dependence vary depending on the type of drug. You might be able
to tell that a family member or a friend is using or abusing a drug based on the physical and behavioral signs and
symptoms associated with the drug.
Marijuana and hashish
It's possible to develop a psychological addiction to cannabis compounds including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found
in marijuana and hashish. People who have a marijuana addiction generally use the drug on a daily basis.
Signs of use and dependence can include:
• A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception
• Poor memory
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Red eyes
• Decreased coordination
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased appetite
• Slowed reaction time
• Paranoid thinking
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are prescription central nervous system depressants. Phenobarbital, amobarbital
(Amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal) are examples of barbiturates. Benzodiazepines include tranquilizers such as
diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
Signs of use and dependence can include:
• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Memory impairment
• Confusion
• Slowed breathing and decreased blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Depression
Methamphetamine, cocaine and other stimulants
This class of drugs includes amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine and methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Signs of use and dependence can include:
• Euphoria
• Decreased appetite
• Rapid speech
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Depression as the drug wears off
• Nasal congestion and damage to the mucous membrane of the nose in users who snort drugs
• Insomnia
• Weight loss
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure and temperature
• Paranoia
Methamphetamine, also known as "meth," is a particularly dangerous drug. It's highly addictive and causes a number
of short-term and long-term health consequences. Methamphetamine is relatively inexpensive and widely available.
Club drugs
Club drugs are drugs commonly used by teens and young adults at clubs, concerts and parties. Examples include
Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, Rohypnol ("roofies") and ketamine. These drugs are not all classified in the same category, but
they share some similar effects and dangers.
Signs of club drug use and dependence can include:
• An exaggerated feeling of great happiness or well-being (euphoria)
• Reduced inhibitions
• A heightened or altered sense of sight, sound and taste
• Amphetamine-like effects (with ketamine and Ecstasy)
• Impaired coordination
• Impaired judgment
• Memory problems or loss of memory
• Increased or decreased heart rate and blood pressure
• Drowsiness and loss of consciousness (with GHB and Rohypnol)
GHB and Rohypnol are particularly dangerous. At high doses, these can cause seizures, coma and death. The danger
increases when these drugs are taken with alcohol. Because they impair consciousness and memory, and the fact that
they're easy to give someone without their knowledge or consent, these drugs are both commonly used as date-rape
drugs.
One particular danger of club drugs is that the liquid, pill or powder forms of these drugs available on the street often
contain unknown substances which can be harmful, including other illegally manufactured or pharmaceutical drugs.
Hallucinogens
Use of hallucinogens produces different signs and symptoms depending on the drug. The most common
hallucinogens are LSD and phencyclidine (PCP).
Signs of LSD use include:
• Hallucinations
• Greatly reduced perception of reality, for example, interpreting input from one of your senses as another, such as
hearing colors
• Permanent mental changes in perception
• Rapid heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Tremors
• Flashbacks, a re-experience of the hallucinations — even years later
• Signs of PCP use include:
• Hallucinations
• Euphoria
• Delusions
• Panic
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Aggressive, possibly violent behavior
Inhalants
The signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary depending on what substance is inhaled. Some commonly inhaled
substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household
aerosol products.
When inhaled, these products can cause brief intoxication and a decreased feeling of inhibition. Long-term use may
cause seizures and damage to the brain, liver and kidneys. Inhalant use can also cause death.
Narcotic painkillers
Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs produced naturally from opium or made synthetically. This class of drugs
includes heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and oxycodone (OxyContin).
Signs of narcotic use and dependence can include:
• Reduced sense of pain
• Sedation
• Depression
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Slowed breathing
• Needle marks (if injecting drugs)
Seek emergency help if you or someone you know has taken a drug and:
• May have overdosed
• Loses consciousness
• Has trouble breathing
• Has seizures
• Has signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure
• Has any other troublesome physical or psychological reaction to use of the drug
Causes
Like many psychological disorders, drug addiction and dependence depends on several things. Two main factors
include:
• Environment
• Genes
Changing brain pathways
Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug alters the way your brain feels pleasure. The
addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called
neurotransmitters to communicate. Neurons release neurotransmitters into the gaps (synapses) between nerve cells;
neurotransmitters are received by receptors on other neurons and on their own cell bodies.
Western Medicine Treatment
Drug addiction treatments include organized inpatient or outpatient treatment programs, counseling and attending self-
help groups to help you resist using the addictive drug again. Depending on your level of addiction, you may need steps
to help you withdraw from using the drug (detoxification).
Therapies such as counseling, addiction treatment programs and self-help group meetings can help you overcome an
addiction and stay sober.
• Treatment programs
• Counseling
• Self-help groups
Withdrawal therapy
The goal of withdrawal therapy (detoxification) is for you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as
possible. Detoxification may involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other
substances, such as methadone, that have less severe side effects. For some people, it may be safe to undergo
withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis; others may require admission to a hospital or a residential treatment center.
Withdrawal from different categories of drugs produces different side effects and requires different approaches.
• Depressants (includes barbiturates, benzodiazepines and others
• Stimulants (includes amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine, Ritalin and others).
• Opioids (heroin, morphine, codeine, OxyContin and others
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic
Drug addiction is a dependence on a street drug or a medication. When you're addicted, you may not be able to control
your drug use and you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. Drug addiction can cause an intense
craving for the drug. You may want to quit, but most people find they can't do it on their own.
Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, but for many what starts as casual use leads to drug addiction. Drug
addiction can cause serious, long-term consequences including problems with physical and mental health,
relationships, employment and the law.
You may need help from your doctor, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program to overcome
your drug addiction and stay drug-free.
Symptoms
Most drug addictions start with casual or social use of a drug. For some people, this is as far as it goes. For other
people, using the drug becomes a habit and use becomes more and more frequent. As time passes, you may need
larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you
may find that it becomes increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Stopping may cause intense cravings and make
you feel physically ill (withdrawal symptoms).
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include:
• Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — this can be daily or even several times a day
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
• Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
• Spending money on the drug even though you can't afford it
• Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
• Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
• Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug
Possible indications that your teenager is using drugs include:
• Problems at school
• Physical health issues
• Neglected appearance
• Changes in behavior
• Spending money
Recognizing signs of drug use and dependence
The particular signs and symptoms of drug use and dependence vary depending on the type of drug. You might be able
to tell that a family member or a friend is using or abusing a drug based on the physical and behavioral signs and
symptoms associated with the drug.
Marijuana and hashish
It's possible to develop a psychological addiction to cannabis compounds including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found
in marijuana and hashish. People who have a marijuana addiction generally use the drug on a daily basis.
Signs of use and dependence can include:
• A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception
• Poor memory
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Red eyes
• Decreased coordination
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased appetite
• Slowed reaction time
• Paranoid thinking
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are prescription central nervous system depressants. Phenobarbital, amobarbital
(Amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal) are examples of barbiturates. Benzodiazepines include tranquilizers such as
diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
Signs of use and dependence can include:
• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Memory impairment
• Confusion
• Slowed breathing and decreased blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Depression
Methamphetamine, cocaine and other stimulants
This class of drugs includes amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine and methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Signs of use and dependence can include:
• Euphoria
• Decreased appetite
• Rapid speech
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Depression as the drug wears off
• Nasal congestion and damage to the mucous membrane of the nose in users who snort drugs
• Insomnia
• Weight loss
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure and temperature
• Paranoia
Methamphetamine, also known as "meth," is a particularly dangerous drug. It's highly addictive and causes a number
of short-term and long-term health consequences. Methamphetamine is relatively inexpensive and widely available.
Club drugs
Club drugs are drugs commonly used by teens and young adults at clubs, concerts and parties. Examples include
Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, Rohypnol ("roofies") and ketamine. These drugs are not all classified in the same category, but
they share some similar effects and dangers.
Signs of club drug use and dependence can include:
• An exaggerated feeling of great happiness or well-being (euphoria)
• Reduced inhibitions
• A heightened or altered sense of sight, sound and taste
• Amphetamine-like effects (with ketamine and Ecstasy)
• Impaired coordination
• Impaired judgment
• Memory problems or loss of memory
• Increased or decreased heart rate and blood pressure
• Drowsiness and loss of consciousness (with GHB and Rohypnol)
GHB and Rohypnol are particularly dangerous. At high doses, these can cause seizures, coma and death. The danger
increases when these drugs are taken with alcohol. Because they impair consciousness and memory, and the fact that
they're easy to give someone without their knowledge or consent, these drugs are both commonly used as date-rape
drugs.
One particular danger of club drugs is that the liquid, pill or powder forms of these drugs available on the street often
contain unknown substances which can be harmful, including other illegally manufactured or pharmaceutical drugs.
Hallucinogens
Use of hallucinogens produces different signs and symptoms depending on the drug. The most common
hallucinogens are LSD and phencyclidine (PCP).
Signs of LSD use include:
• Hallucinations
• Greatly reduced perception of reality, for example, interpreting input from one of your senses as another, such as
hearing colors
• Permanent mental changes in perception
• Rapid heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Tremors
• Flashbacks, a re-experience of the hallucinations — even years later
• Signs of PCP use include:
• Hallucinations
• Euphoria
• Delusions
• Panic
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Aggressive, possibly violent behavior
Inhalants
The signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary depending on what substance is inhaled. Some commonly inhaled
substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household
aerosol products.
When inhaled, these products can cause brief intoxication and a decreased feeling of inhibition. Long-term use may
cause seizures and damage to the brain, liver and kidneys. Inhalant use can also cause death.
Narcotic painkillers
Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs produced naturally from opium or made synthetically. This class of drugs
includes heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and oxycodone (OxyContin).
Signs of narcotic use and dependence can include:
• Reduced sense of pain
• Sedation
• Depression
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Slowed breathing
• Needle marks (if injecting drugs)
Seek emergency help if you or someone you know has taken a drug and:
• May have overdosed
• Loses consciousness
• Has trouble breathing
• Has seizures
• Has signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure
• Has any other troublesome physical or psychological reaction to use of the drug
Causes
Like many psychological disorders, drug addiction and dependence depends on several things. Two main factors
include:
• Environment
• Genes
Changing brain pathways
Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug alters the way your brain feels pleasure. The
addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called
neurotransmitters to communicate. Neurons release neurotransmitters into the gaps (synapses) between nerve cells;
neurotransmitters are received by receptors on other neurons and on their own cell bodies.
Western Medicine Treatment
Drug addiction treatments include organized inpatient or outpatient treatment programs, counseling and attending self-
help groups to help you resist using the addictive drug again. Depending on your level of addiction, you may need steps
to help you withdraw from using the drug (detoxification).
Therapies such as counseling, addiction treatment programs and self-help group meetings can help you overcome an
addiction and stay sober.
• Treatment programs
• Counseling
• Self-help groups
Withdrawal therapy
The goal of withdrawal therapy (detoxification) is for you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as
possible. Detoxification may involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other
substances, such as methadone, that have less severe side effects. For some people, it may be safe to undergo
withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis; others may require admission to a hospital or a residential treatment center.
Withdrawal from different categories of drugs produces different side effects and requires different approaches.
• Depressants (includes barbiturates, benzodiazepines and others
• Stimulants (includes amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine, Ritalin and others).
• Opioids (heroin, morphine, codeine, OxyContin and others
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic
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