Substance addiction, or substance use disorder, is a brain disease. The substances affect your brain, making it difficult to stop taking the substance, even if you want to. The first step to drug addiction treatment is seeing the problem and deciding to get help.
Addiction is such a complicated issue, that the question of what causes it and what defines it remains somewhat unsettled, even after a century of debate and advancement in science and medicine. The psychology behind addiction covers many bases: whether it is a disease or a personal failing; the effect of lifestyle and childhood; family history and socioeconomic demographics; and the dozens of other factors that cannot be accounted for or measured.
What are symptoms of substance use disorder?
Symptoms of drug addiction include:
- Bloodshot eyes and looking tired.
- Changes in appetite, usually eating less.
- Changes in physical appearance, such as having a poor complexion or looking ungroomed.
- Craving drugs.
- Difficulty completing tasks at work, school or home.
- Engaging in risky behaviours, despite knowing negative consequences (such as driving while impaired or having unprotected sex).
- Inability to reduce or control drug use.
- Issues with money.
- Weight loss.
Can I prevent substance use disorder?
Yes. Preventing drug addiction starts with education. Education in schools, communities and families helps prevent misusing a substance for the first time. Other ways to prevent substance use disorder:
- Don’t try illegal drugs, even one time.
- Follow instructions for prescription medications. Don’t ever take more than instructed. Opioid addiction, for instance, can start after just five days.
- Dispose of unused prescriptions promptly to reduce risks of misuse by others.
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