Jason's life is beginning to unravel. His grades have slipped, he's moody, he doesn't
talk to his friends, and he has stopped showing up for practice. Jason's friends know
he has been experimenting with drugs and now they're worried he has become addicted.
Defining an addiction is tricky, and knowing how to handle one is even harder.
What Are Substance Abuse and Addiction?
The difference between substance abuse and addiction is very slight. Substance
abuse means using an illegal substance or using a legal substance in the wrong way.
Addiction begins as abuse, or using a substance like marijuana or cocaine.
You can abuse a drug
(or alcohol) without having
an addiction. For example, just because Sara smoked pot a few times doesn't mean that
she has an addiction, but it does mean that she's abusing a drug — and that
could lead to an addiction.
People can get addicted to all sorts of substances. When we think of addiction,
we usually think of alcohol or illegal drugs. But people become addicted to medicines,
cigarettes, even glue.
Some substances are more addictive than others: Drugs like crack or heroin are
so addictive that they might only be used once or twice before the user loses control.
Addiction means a person has no control over whether he or she
uses a drug or drinks. Someone who's addicted to cocaine has grown so used to the
drug that he or she has to have it. Addiction can be physical, psychological,
or both.
Physical Addiction
Being physically addicted means a person's body becomes dependent on a particular
substance (even smoking is physically addictive). It also means building tolerance
to that substance, so that a person needs a larger dose than ever before to get the
same effects.
Someone who is physically addicted and stops using a substance like drugs, alcohol,
or cigarettes may experience withdrawal symptoms. Common symptoms
of withdrawal are diarrhea, shaking, and generally feeling awful.
Psychological Addiction
Psychological addiction happens when the cravings for a drug are psychological
or emotional. People who are psychologically addicted feel overcome by the desire
to have a drug. They may lie or steal to get it.
A person crosses the line between abuse and addiction when he or she is no longer
trying the drug to have fun or get high, but has come to depend on it. His or her
whole life centers around the need for the drug. An addicted person — whether
it's a physical or psychological addiction or both — no longer feels like there
is a choice in taking a substance.
Signs of Addiction
The most obvious sign of an addiction is the need to have a particular drug or
substance. However, many other signs can suggest a possible addiction, such as changes
in mood or weight loss or gain. (These also are signs of other conditions too, though,
such as depression or eating disorders.)
Signs that you or someone you know may have a drug or alcohol addiction include:
Psychological signals:
- use of drugs or alcohol as a way to forget problems or to relax
- withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends
- loss of interest in activities that used to be important
- problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or absences
- changes in friendships, such as hanging out only with friends who use drugs
- spending a lot of time figuring out how to get drugs
- stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs
- failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking
- anxiety, anger, or depression
- mood swings
Physical signals:
- changes in sleeping habits
- feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop
- needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect
- changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain