Overview

Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are also considered drugs. When you're addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.

Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines or receive them from others who have prescriptions.

The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.

When to Seek Help

Recognizing that drug use has become problematic and seeking help is crucial for recovery. If any of the following applies to you or someone you know, consider seeking assistance:

• Inability to stop using a drug despite its harmful effects.
• Unsafe behaviors resulting from drug use, such as sharing needles or engaging in unprotected sex.
• Suspicion of withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuing drug use.

When to Seek Emergency Help

In cases of drug overdose or severe reactions, immediate emergency assistance is vital. If you or someone you know exhibits the following symptoms after drug use, seek urgent medical attention:

• Potential overdose.
• Changes in consciousness.
• Breathing difficulties.
• Seizures or convulsions.
• Signs of a possible heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure.
• Any other troubling physical or psychological reactions.

Staging an Intervention

For individuals reluctant to acknowledge their addiction, a well-planned intervention can serve as a turning point. An intervention involves loved ones, friends, and potentially professionals discussing the consequences of addiction with the affected individual and encouraging them to seek treatment.

Planning an intervention requires careful consideration and may involve consultation with addiction medicine or psychiatry specialists or intervention professionals.

The Causes of Substance Use Disorder

Various factors contribute to the development of drug addiction, including:

• Environment: Family beliefs, attitudes, and exposure to peer groups encouraging drug use can play a role in the initial drug use.
• Genetics: Once drug use starts, the development into addiction may be influenced by inherited (genetic) traits, which may delay or speed up the disease progression.