WHAT IS ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE?

Substance Abuse is the overindulgence in and dependence on an addictive substance, especially alcohol or a narcotic drug. It is a pervasive problem in the United States today. The substances abused can be illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine, or legal substances used improperly, such as alcohol, prescription drugs and inhalants like nail polish or gasoline. According to a 2004 survey conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 19.1 million Americans aged 12 or older were using illicit drugs.

Drug addiction can be emotional and psychological, or have a predominantly biochemical basis, or both. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration refers to psychological dependence as “the subjective feeling that the user needs the drug to maintain a feeling of well-being,” whereas physical dependence is characterized by tolerance—the need for increasingly larger doses in order to achieve the initial effect—and withdrawal symptoms when the user stops.

HOW DOES DRUG ABUSE DIFFER FROM ADDICTION?

The Mayo Clinic defines drug addiction as “compulsively seeking to use a substance, regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological and physical consequences.” Addiction to drugs and other substances always involves lack of control and repeated inability to take personal responsibility for behaviors. Not every one who tries drugs becomes a drug abuser, and the differences are often subtle.

People who abuse drugs:

• use drugs to help them change the way they feel about themselves and/or some aspect(s) of their lives.
• experience some problems associated with their drug use but use those experiences to set appropriate limits on how much and how often they use.
• seldom, if ever, repeat the drug-related behaviors that have caused them problems in the past.
• get complaints about their using and accept those complaints as expressions of concern for their well-being.

People who are addicted to drugs:

• experience negative consequences associated with using but continue to use despite those consequences.
• set limits on how much or how often they will use but unexpectedly exceed those limits.
• promise themselves and/or other people that they will use in moderation but break those promises.
• feel guilty or remorseful about their using but still fail to permanently alter the way they use.
• get complaints about their using and resent, discount, and/or disregard those comments and complaints.

WHAT ARE GENERAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ADDICTION?

Addiction to any drug may include these general characteristics:

• Feeling that you need the drug on a regular basis to have fun, relax or deal with your problems
• Giving up familiar activities such as sports, homework, or hobbies
• Sudden changes in work or school attendance and quality of work or grades
• Doing things you normally wouldn’t do to obtain drugs, such as frequently borrowing money or stealing items from employer, home or school
• Taking uncharacteristic risks, such as driving under the influence or sexually risky behavior
• Anger outbursts, acting irresponsibly and overall attitude change
• Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming.
• Wearing sunglasses and/or long sleeve shirts frequently or at inappropriate times
• No longer spending time with friends who don't use drugs and/or associating with known users
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors such as frequent trips to storage rooms, restroom, basement, etc.
• Needing to use more of the drug of choice to achieve the same effects
• Talking about drugs all the time and pressuring others to use with you
• Feeling exhausted, depressed, hopeless, or suicidal

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM DEVELOPING A DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM?

Drug abuse does not discriminate—it can effect anyone regardless of age, sex, race, marital status, place of residence, income level, or lifestyle. If you use drugs and wonder whether you are developing a drug abuse problem, refer to the list of general symptoms above for help in sorting out where you stand. In addition, the United Way recommends asking yourself whether any of the following scenarios apply:

• You can't predict whether or not you will use drugs
• You believe that in order to have fun you need to use drugs
• You turn to drugs after a confrontation or argument, or to relieve uncomfortable feelings
• You use drugs alone
• You remember how last night began, but not how it ended, so you're worried you may have a problem
• You make promises to yourself or others that you'll stop using drugs
• You feel alone, scared, miserable, and depressed

If any of the above signs apply, know that help is available. Breaking a drug addiction is not easy, but definitely possible with the right support. Over a million Americans have overcome their drug addictions through the encouragement of family and friends, and the structured assistance of inpatient or outpatient treatment programs.

WHERE TO GET HELP

If unsure where to go for help, check the Yellow Pages under "mental health," "health," "social services," "suicide prevention," "crisis intervention services," "hotlines," "hospitals," or "physicians" for phone numbers and addresses. In times of crisis, the emergency room doctor at a hospital may be able to provide temporary help and will be able to tell you where and how to get further help.

Listed below are the types of people and places that will make a referral to, or provide, diagnostic and treatment services.

• Family doctors
• Mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, or addiction counselors
• Alcohol, Drug, and Addiction Recovery organizations
• Community mental health and addiction centers
• Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics
• University- or medical school-affiliated programs
• State hospital outpatient clinics
• Family service, social agencies, or clergy
• Private clinics and facilities
• Employee assistance programs
• Local medical and/or psychiatric societies
• Your local 12-step groups