What is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is a commonly used term that describes an impaired ability to limit drug use, despite the harmful consequences of continued use. In this respect, drug meets the definition of addiction. In our topic center on addiction, we define addiction:
Addiction is the repeated involvement with a substance or activity, despite the substantial harm it now causes, because that involvement was (and may continue to be) pleasurable and/or valuable.
Drug addiction is not a diagnostic term recognized by American Psychiatric Association. The correct diagnostic term would be substance disorder. The process of diagnosing drug addiction is discussed here.
Like all addictions, the severity of drug addiction may range from mild to severe. Unfortunately, many pe...More
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What is drug addiction?
- Drug addiction is a commonly used term that describes an impaired ability to limit drug use, despite the harmful consequences of continued use. In this respect, drug meets the definition of addiction.
- In our topic center on addiction, we define addiction as the repeated involvement with a substance or activity, despite the substantial harm it now causes, because that involvement was (and may continue to be) pleasurable and/or valuable.
- Drug addiction is not a diagnostic term recognized by American Psychiatric Association. The correct diagnostic term would be substance disorder. The process of diagnosing drug addiction is discussed here.
- Like all addictions, the severity of drug addiction may range from mild to severe. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe they do not need to be concerned about their drug use because they do not consider themselves "an addict." In other words, people sometimes fail to recognize the substantial harm caused by their repeated and continued use of drugs.
For more information on identifying the many possible ways that drug use may be harmful to someone.
What causes drug addiction?
- There is no one single cause of drug addiction. Instead, there are multiple causes that can be grouped into four basic categories.
- These four categories are: 1) biological causes, 2) psychological causes, 3) socio-cultural causes, and 4) spiritual causes. Psychologists call this the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Model of addiction.
- The biological causes of drug addiction include each person's unique physiology and genetics.
- Psychologically, people learn to anticipate some benefit from using drugs even though it is harmful. These benefits can include: 1) stress reduction, 2) relief from boredom, 3) pleasurable sensations, 4) coping with negative feelings or situations, or 4) simply the benefit of avoiding withdrawal symptoms.
- Socio-cultural influences also contribute to the development of drug addiction as it affords opportunities for pleasing social discourse and interaction.
- Spirituality is another causal factor that can determine whether an addiction develops and flourishes.
What are the signs and symptoms of drug addiction?
- The diagnosis of a substance use disorder is based upon a pathological set of behaviors related to substance use. These behaviors fall into four main categories:
- Impaired control - 1) Using for longer periods of time than intended, or using larger amounts than intended; 2) Wanting to reduce use, yet being unsuccessful doing so; 3) Spending excessive time getting/using/recovering from the use; 4) Cravings that are so intense it is difficult to think about anything else.
- Social impairment - 1) People may continue to use despite problems with work, school or family/social obligations; 2) Someone continues to use despite having interpersonal problems because of that use; 3) Important and meaningful social and recreational activities may be given up or reduced because of use.
- Risky use - 1) someone repeatedly uses substances in physically dangerous situations; 2) Some people continue to use substances even though they are aware it is causing or worsening physical and psychological problems.
- Pharmacological indicators (tolerance and withdrawal) - 1) Tolerance occurs when people need to increase the amount of drugs to achieve the same desired effect; 2) Withdrawal is the body's response to the abrupt cessation of a drug, once the body has developed a tolerance to it.
How is drug addiction treated?
- There are four basic approaches to drug addiction treatment: Biological, Psychological, Socio-Cultural, and Spiritual.
- People can combine these various approaches to match their individual needs and circumstances as they work to develop their own individualized, custom-tailored approach to recovery.
- Biological approaches to addictions treatment attempt to correct or modify the presumed underlying biological causes of addiction. According to biological models of addiction, a "broken" or damaged brain causes addiction.
- Psychological approaches to recovery aim to increase a person's motivation for change.
- In addition to changing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, individuals embracing recovery may also need to restructure their social world.
- Strengthening the motivation for recovery is very helpful. One such approach is called Motivational Interviewing.
- There are also several effective types of psychotherapy for addictions. These are: Relapse Prevention Therapy; Contingency Management; Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
- Socio-cultural approaches to addictions recovery emphasize the important influence of social groups on individuals as they attempt to recover. These include: 1) harm reduction strategies such as needle exchange programs, or public campaigns such as designated drivers, 2) family approaches to addictions treatment, and 3) the social support approach to addictions treatment.
- Spiritual approaches to recovery are based on research that has repeatedly demonstrated that spirituality can have a positive effect on recovery from many diseases and disorders. The most well-known spiritual approaches to addictions recovery are the 12-step support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
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Resources
Articles
- What is Drug Addiction?
- Drug Addiction: How Big a Problem Is it?
- What Causes Drug Addiction?
- How Do You Get Addicted to Drugs?
- The Biological Causes of Drug Addiction
- The Psychological Causes of Drug Addiction
- Drug Addiction and Other Psychological Disorders
- Socio-Cultural Forces That Lead to Drug Addiction
- The Spirituality of Drug Addiction and Recovery
- How Do You Know if You Are a Drug Addict?
- Diagnosis: The Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction
- The Diagnostic Criteria of Substance-Induced Disorders
- Cannabis-Related Disorders (Marijuana)
- Hallucinogen-Related Disorders
- Inhalant-Related Disorders
- Opioid-Related Disorders (Heroin, Oxycontin®, Vicodin® and other pain medications)
- Sedative-, Hypnotic-, Or Anxiolytic-Related Disorders
- Stimulant Use Disorder: Amphetamine Type (e.g., methamphetamine)
- Four Key Ingredients to Successful Recovery from Drug Addiction
- Guidelines for Choosing Drug Addiction Treatment Options
- Drug Addiction Treatment Choices
- Drug Addiction FAQs
- Addiction References
- Addiction Resources
News
- Meth Overdose Deaths Are Surging in America, With Minorities Most at Risk
- Two-Drug Combo May Help Fight Meth Addiction
- Pot Use Ups Odds for Suicide in Young People With Bipolar Disorder
- As More Legal Pot Dispensaries Open, More Young Adults Start Using
- Pot Might Impair a Woman's Fertility: Study
- Pot Use Rises as Year Goes on: Study
- With Pot Rules Relaxed, More U.S. Teens Driving While High: Study
- U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Reach Record Highs
- ADHD Medication ODs Rising in U.S. Kids, Teens
- Pandemic Is Driving U.S. Surge in Cardiac Arrests Tied to Overdose
- 39 more
- Will Pot or CBD Make You a Worse Driver?
- Opioid Deaths in Young Americans Often Involve Other Drugs
- Nurse Practitioners Key to Opioid Treatment in Rural U.S.: Study
- After Heart Attack, Pot Smoking Raises Post-Op Dangers
- Another Tragedy Tied to Opioids: Eye Disease
- 1 in 3 High School Seniors Who Misuse Prescription Opioids Turn to Heroin
- Overdose Deaths From Cocaine Rising Dramatically
- Signs America's Opioid Epidemic Might Finally Be Waning
- The Real Reason for 2018 Drop in Fatal U.S. Drug Overdoses
- Booze, Drug Use Common at Virtual Parties During Pandemic
- Teen Pot Use Makes a Comeback After Legalization
- Pot Use While Pregnant Tied to Higher Odds for Autism in Kids
- Many Deaths Labeled 'Cardiac Arrest' Could Be Drug ODs: Study
- Marijuana Is Not Heart-Healthy, Experts Say
- Avoiding Pain and Addiction After Sports-Injury Surgery
- 1 in 10 Americans Uses a Prescription Painkiller: CDC
- Heart Surgery Leads to Long-Term Opioid Use for Some
- 'Iso,' a Deadly New Synthetic Opioid, Has Hit American Streets
- High-Potency Pot Tied to Big Rise in Psychiatric Issues
- Heavy Pot Use Linked to Mental Problems, Even After Quitting
- Marijuana Withdrawal Is Real, Study Shows
- For Addicts in Recovery, Technology Preserves Bonds Despite COVID-19 Crisis
- Newbies More Apt to Have Bad Reaction to Marijuana: Study
- Coronavirus Crisis Could Help Trigger Relapse Among Those Fighting Addiction
- Meth Use, Addiction on the Rise Among Americans: CDC
- Opioid Withdrawal Raises Health Risks for Injection Drug Users: Study
- Opioid OD Deaths Fall Despite Growing Use of Synthetic Drugs: CDC
- Use Pot? It Can Interact With Your Meds in Harmful Ways
- Do Any Medications Help Ease Marijuana Dependence?
- Anti-Addiction Meds Key to Saving Lives of People Hooked on Opioids
- Too Many Antibiotics, Opioids Given to Dental Patients in the ER
- Pot Use Among U.S. Seniors Nearly Doubled in 3 Years
- 1 in 4 Opioid ODs Involves Kids and Teens
- Use of Club Drug 'Special K' Could Be Underreported
- U.S. Heroin Use Nearly Doubled Over Two Decades
- Family Members Are Swiping Hospice Patients' Painkillers: Study
- 'Dabbing' Marijuana a Gateway to Heavy Use of Pot
- When Pharmacists Allowed to Give Anti-Opioid Med Without Rx, Access Soars
- Just 1% of Doctors Prescribe Nearly Half of Opioids in U.S.
Links
Videos
- Research on Opioid Use
- Treating Pain without Opiates
- Why People Can Become Addicted to Opioids
- The Swiss Cheese Model of Drug Addiction
- Chronic Pain, Heroin and the US Epidemic of Opioid Abuse
- How to Tell if a Loved One is Abusing Opioids
- NIDA Emerging Drugs-Methylone and Molly
- Advice to Parents | Drugs & College 101
- Addiction: Treat It Like a Disease
- Cocaine Abuse
- 16 more
- Treatment of Addiction
- Opioid Use: An American Epidemic
- What is Addiction?
- Drugs: Shatter The Myths
- Why are Drugs So Hard To Quit
- Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs
- Cannabis Effects on Driving Performance
- NIDA’s Dr. Phil Skolnick discusses intranasal naloxone
- "Eyes On" Research in Drugged Driving
- How Will Anti-Drug Vaccines Be Used? An Interview With Dr. Thomas Kosten
- Naloxone Rescue Kits
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Cocaine
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Methamphetamine
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Marijuana
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Natural Rewards and Drugs
- Substance Use Disorders/Addictions - Clinical Overview
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