Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Addiction, and Dependence

Abuse over alcohol or a substance affects many lives. Substance and alcohol abuse occurs with the excessive use or misuse of a drug intended for its purpose.  One in twelve adults are addicted or dependent on alcohol (the most commonly used addictive substance.) and 9.3 percent of those that are twelve years or older need treatment for illicit drugs and or alcohol. Dependence occurs when one’s brain neurons adapt to repeated drug exposure and can only function normal with the use of their choice. It relates to a maladaptive pattern of alcohol or substance use to clinically important impairment or distress of three or more of the following symptoms, 1.) tolerance. 2.) withdrawal. 3.) high amounts over long period of time than intended 4.) persistent desire or unsuccessful cut down of control. 5.) Time spent in activities to obtain ex: visiting multiple doctors, driving long distances and chain smoking. 6.) Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or significant lack of interest. Finally, addiction is presented with compulsive behavior that is either reinforcing or rewarding to the user even after having knowledge of the harm this substance or alcohol may cause. Alcohol, cigarettes, heroin/morphine, and cocaine are common substances that all relate to common effects. Our brains can become attached to the sign effects when using alcohol or substance making us crave more even after knowing the harmful attributes that can be diagnosed.  

A chronic or lifelong disease that can get worse over time and potentially get to be life threatening. Alcoholism is the number one form of abuse. It’s patterns of drinking that is harmful to the drinker or others. Within a 12-month period, indicators of alcohol abuse is: missing work or skipping child care responsibilities because of drinking, drinking in situations that are dangerous; drunk driving or getting arrested under the influence, continuing to drink even though there are ongoing alcohol-related tensions with family and friends. Based in the brain, symptoms include cravings, loss of control, physical dependence such as withdrawal symptoms, and increase in tolerance. With symptoms like this, it can vary on the severity of your disease. However, other factors such as age, family history, gender, and how prone you to disease/illnesses. This not only applies to alcohol but with all forms of abuse of a mental disorder. Researchers from womenshealth.gov suggest that a woman is more likely to drink too much if she has blood relatives with alcohol problems, a partner that drinks heavily, being able to “hold her liquor” more than others, history of depression or a history of childhood physical or sexual abuse. And as again knowing whether you have a problem or not. If you’ve ever asked yourself questions like you feel like you should cut down drinking or if people are annoyed by you or criticize you for drinking. If feelings of guilt or bad of drinking, or find yourself pouring yourself a glass to steady your nerves. There are many sorts of treatments such as Alcohol Anonymous or  AA success statistics show low but not failing success in past and recent reports.

Tobacco farms have been producing since the 1850’s and boy does it bring in the business! A pack a day smoker will spend $2,193 per year says truth the national protest and organization of ending smoking. They also say that a dogs and cats are twice as likely to get cancer if their owner smokes. Smoking has been found to harm nearly every bodily organ and organ system in the body and diminishes a person’s overall health.    

Smoking is a leading cause of cancer and death from cancer. It causes cancers

480,000 premature deaths in the United States are caused from cigarettes each year. 36% from cancer, 39% from heart disease/stroke, and 24% for lung cancer.Also, smoking doesn’t only affect you from the smoke but others around you even if they don’t smoke! More than 7,000 chemicals are found inside. An estimate of 25-30% of secondhand smoke increases heart disease.  

Quitting can be difficult to some. During this your body may be undergoing withdrawals. This is also another factor of dependence. Withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, stress, depression, fatigue, vomiting, sweating, seizures, and hallucination. Different characteristics are shown with the different drug choice. With cigarettes, nicotine is a natural found substance in tobacco. Feeling of temporary relaxation and or stress relief. Not only does this effect shortly happen after finish smoking your body heart rate and mood elevates. Your health is put at more risk for diseases such as lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD.) Both seriously dangerously illnesses affecting the lungs. Smoking causes no benefits or positive outcomes. It’s the most preventable death in the U.S.

Morphine and heroin are both well-known narcotic drugs. They are