What Is Drug Addiction

Understanding what drug addiction is is essential to identifying how this condition affects not only the person but also their family and social environment.

What Addictions Are

Drug addiction refers to a chronic disorder that causes a patient to compulsively seek and consume illegal drugs, legal drugs (tobacco and alcohol), or pharmaceuticals, despite the negative physical, mental, and emotional effects that drug addiction has on them.

Drug addiction seriously damages the brain and causes severe behavioral changes due to the uncontrollable need to obtain and consume drugs, regardless of the consequences.

The initial consumption is usually voluntary and often occurs in social and recreational settings. However, as it becomes a habit, it gradually ceases to be an act of will and transforms into a compulsion. This is because the addiction has caused a series of changes in the brain that affect your ability to control your behavior.

The intensity of the addiction and how quickly you acquire it depends on the type of drugs and the predisposition and tolerance of each individual. However, in all cases, as the addiction progresses, increasingly larger doses of the drug are required to feel the desired effects, so the damage and magnitude of the addiction follow a progressive scale.

Symptoms of a Person Who Uses Drugs

The physical and behavioral symptoms of drug addiction are varied and include:

• An uncontrollable desire to use drugs daily.
• A progressive increase in dose to achieve the desired effects.
• Worrying about the drug running out.
• Creating drug reserves to prevent a possible shortage.
• Using all available money to buy drugs.
• Problems at school or work due to prioritizing drugs over fulfilling responsibilities.
• Social isolation due to a preference for drug use.
• Realizing the physical and mental harms of the drug but lacking the will to quit.
• Acquiring drugs regardless of whether crimes are committed to get them.
• Failed attempts to quit using drugs.
• Experiencing withdrawal syndrome when trying to quit.
• Not thinking about anything other than the drug.

Causes of Drug Addiction

Although anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social position, can become addicted, some factors have been identified that contribute to it, such as:

• Family members with addictions.
• Suffering from mental illnesses.
• Friendships and a social environment of addiction.
• A disengaged family.
• Trying drugs at an early age.
• Starting to use highly addictive drugs like opioids and cocaine.

How Drug Addiction Is Diagnosed

The diagnosis of drug addiction is based on a comprehensive clinical evaluation that must be performed by a mental health professional or an addiction specialist. This involves using structured interviews, standardized questionnaires, and diagnostic criteria established in various manuals, such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

These criteria help determine if a person has a problematic pattern of substance use that interferes with their personal, professional, or social life, as well as signs of physical dependence, tolerance, or, if applicable, withdrawal syndrome.

In addition to the clinical exam, toxicology tests on blood, urine, or saliva can be performed to determine the presence of drugs and evaluate the degree of exposure. Psychological, family, and social aspects are also considered, as drug addiction is a complex disorder that goes beyond the physical use of substances.

The treatment for drug addiction should be multidisciplinary and personalized, often combining pharmacological, psychological, and social therapies. Sometimes, some people require supervised medical detoxification to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Psychological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, or relapse prevention programs, are essential pillars of recovery.

Addiction Prevention

Addiction prevention focuses on reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors that decrease the likelihood of a person starting to use substances.

To do this, public health education campaigns are used to provide clear information to the general population about the physical, mental, and social effects of drugs.

Health professionals play a key role in identifying early signs of substance use or risk during routine check-ups to intervene before the problem worsens.

At the Neurological Center of Centro Médico ABC, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!