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Alcohol & Drugs
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Abuse And Addiction |
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Substance abuse and addiction affect an estimated 25 million Americans. This includes alcoholism, which afflicts 10 million adults and 3 million
children, and 12.5 million Americans who are addicted to other drugs, such as sedative-hypnotics, opiates, sedatives, hallucinogens and psychostimulants.
Substance abusers face substantial health risks, as well as risks of criminal victimization and damaging effects on their socioeconomic status. There are a variety of treatments available, and
appropriately administered treatment can be very effective. Family support can also be beneficial.
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What Is Addiction? |
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Addiction is a chronic, progressive, relapsing disease which can be characterized by one or more of the following:
Craving: A strong need or compulsion to drink or use drugs.
Loss of control: The inability to limit one's drinking or drug use on any given occasion.
Physical dependence: The occurrence of withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety when alcohol or drug use is stopped.
Drug Tolerance: The need for increasing amounts of alcohol or other drugs in order to get "high".
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What Is Abuse? |
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Abuse differs from addiction in that it does not include an extremely long craving for a substance, loss of control, or physical dependence. It is
also less likely to include tolerance. Abuse is described as a pattern of drinking or using other drugs, accompanied by one or more of the following in
a 12-month period:
- Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities.
- Situations that are physically dangerous, such as driving a car or operating machinery while under the influence of substances.
- Recurring substance-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or physically hurting someone else while being drunk.
- Continued drinking despite having on-going relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the effects of alcohol.
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Why Do People Abuse Alcohol Or Drugs? |
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Abuse of alcohol and other drugs is caused by biological, psychological and social factors. Research has shown that some people have a biological
disposition to alcohol/drug addiction.
Psychological and social factors can influence a biological disposition and can effect whether or not a person becomes dependent on alcohol or drugs. Negative factors include traumatic or stressful
events/ childhood neglect, mental health disorders, disabilities, parental alcohol/drug
addiction, traumatic experiences, and other adverse events.
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Warning Signs Of Alcohol/Drug Addiction |
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- Using the substance on a regular basis (daily, weekends,
or in binges)
- Tolerance for the substance
- Failed attempts to stop using the substance
- Physical and/or psychological dependence
- Withdrawal symptoms (delirium, tremors, trembling, hallucinations, sweating or high blood pressure)
- Dementia
- Often people with depression or bipolar disorder "self-medicate" with alcohol or drugs.
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How Prevalent Are Alcohol And Drugs Among Young People? |
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Among adolescents ages 12-17 years, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 1999 National Household
Survey on Drug Abuse -
- 10.4 million were current drinkers; 6.8 million engaged in binge drinking; and 2.1 million were heavy drinkers.
- 10.9% reported current use of illegal drugs.
- 7.7% were current users of marijuana
- 14.9% smoke cigarettes currently.
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Common Legal And Illegal Drugs Used By Young People |
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Alcohol: This includes beer, wine and hard liquor. It is a myth that beer is not alcohol.
Tobacco: Teens who smoke are three times more likely than non-smokers to use alcohol, eight times more likely to use marijuana, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine. Smoking is associated with
a host of other risky behaviors. |
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