

You can stop using drugs if you really want.įact: Prolonged exposure to drugs alters the brain in ways that result in powerful cravings and a compulsion to use.

Myth 1: Overcoming addiction is simply a matter of willpower. Myths and facts about drug abuse and addiction Six common myths If you’re ready to seek help, you can overcome your addiction and build a satisfying, drug-free life for yourself. Facing your problem without minimizing the issue or making excuses can feel frightening and overwhelming, but recovery is within reach.
#YOU ARE MY ADDICTION HOW TO#
If you’re worried about your own or a loved one’s drug use, learning how drug abuse and addiction develops-and why it can have such a powerful hold-will give you a better understanding of how to best deal with the problem and regain control of your life. Recognizing that you have a problem is the first step on the road to recovery, one that takes tremendous courage and strength. If your drug use is causing problems in your life-at work, school, home, or in your relationships-you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem. Similarly, there is no specific point at which drug use moves from casual to problematic.ĭrug abuse and addiction is less about the type or amount of the substance consumed or the frequency of your drug use, and more about the consequences of that drug use. Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without experiencing negative effects, while others find that substance use takes a serious toll on their health and well-being. Of course, drug use-either illegal or prescription-doesn’t automatically lead to abuse. When drug use becomes drug abuse or addiction Addiction to opioid painkillers can be so powerful it has become the major risk factor for heroin abuse. and more people die from overdosing powerful opioid painkillers each day than from traffic accidents and gun deaths combined. In fact, next to marijuana, prescription painkillers are the most abused drugs in the U.S. Prescription medications such as painkillers, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers can cause similar problems.

However, it’s not just illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, that can lead to abuse and addiction. Some people experiment with recreational drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or to ease problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression. People from all walks of life can experience problems with their drug use, regardless of age, race, background, or the reason they started using drugs in the first place. Addiction Drug Abuse and Addiction Do you or someone you know have a drug problem? Explore the warning signs and symptoms and learn how substance abuse problems develop.
