Drug addiction is hopelessness and despair. It is the need for more and greater amounts of a substance to satisfy a craving until that substance is consuming your entire life and your thought process. Drug addiction is a matter of not knowing any way to cope with the stresses of life other than to take drugs. It can lead a person to forget daily responsibilities like going to work or picking children up from school because the only focus is the next high.

Drug addiction is denial, aggression, anger, hostility, depression, insomnia, apathy, poor hygiene, suicidal tendencies, euphoria, mood swings, disappointment, guilt, sadness, etc. It means going to great lengths – even robbery or theft from those you love – to find money to get the next high. It is false security, false confidence and a false sense of belonging.

Drug addiction has a profound effect on life, personality, outlook, mental state, relationships, career, home, family and finances. It can cause poor choices and lifelong regret. An addiction to drugs can also cause lifelong physical injury, debilitating illness or death. It is overwhelmingly powerful and very difficult to break. Sometimes the effects of a drug addiction may not be felt until years later, with residual health complications. These may be related to the drug abuse or perhaps a physical injury sustained while under the influence.

Drug addiction is a social issue. It increases the number of homeless, the number of unemployed, the number of unwed mothers and the number of disabled among society. This, in turn, increases the financial burden on American taxpayers due to social services and government assistance. Drug addiction also increases the amount of crime in towns big and small, as addicts turn to violent and illegal acts as a means of finding the money to get the next high. This, in turn, has an effect on overcrowded prisons, understaffed police forces, backlogged drug testing labs and overworked prosecutors.

Unfortunately, drug addiction is commonplace. Just about everyone is related to or knows someone who has dealt with a drug addiction. All too often, the addiction is covered up in shame. Family members and friends of drug addicts should actually seek out the company and advice of others in similar situations, to learn how they are handling it. They should not be embarrassed about their loved one’s addiction, as they are far from alone. It is important to understand that drug rehab and support groups are there to help the addict, if they so choose.

Those dealing with drug addiction will never be able to recover until they admit the addiction is a problem. Denial is one of the most powerful characteristics of drug addiction. It is the first and most difficult step of recovery to get past. It is a worthwhile effort, however, because kicking the drug addiction will help a recovering addict gain newfound self-confidence. Life can be so much more rewarding without a drug addiction and all the negative things it brings.

There are some types of drugs that have legitimate purposes and are used by many people without an addiction forming. For instance, it is true that prescription drugs can be used without the formation of an addiction. However, there are plenty of stories of people becoming addicted to prescription drugs, particularly painkillers. Use of the prescription drugs should adhere strictly to the doctor’s orders and should never be received by illegal means. If a person feels like their prescription drug use is getting out of control, they should have an honest discussion with their doctor or a drug rehab about it.

Marijuana is one of the drugs that are trending toward widespread social acceptance and a reputation as a “harmless” drug. While it may be a peaceful drug – in that it does not cause violent reactions like cocaine does – it is addictive, and therefore dangerous. It is also harmful in that it renders users incapable of functioning safely. For instance, a study done by Stanford University found that the majority of airline pilots who smoked relatively weak government-issued marijuana joints “crashed” their planes in simulated flight tests immediately thereafter. Furthermore, many “crashed” their planes again in simulated flight tests 24 hours later, after they thought the marijuana effects had worn off.

Marijuana stays in the body a long time, affecting the mind. It is considered a gateway drug, in that users require greater amounts over time to achieve their desired high. They are then considerably more likely to try other, more powerful drugs either mixed with the marijuana or replacing the marijuana altogether.

With harder drugs like cocaine, meth, speed and heroin, a serious addiction can develop very quickly. These drugs are difficult to contain only to “recreational” or “social” use. It is best to avoid even trying these drugs, as they are among the most dangerous and addictive of all. Their effects are by no means “peaceful,” as is marijuana’s reputation, but these drugs are instead rather aggressive and destructive.

People who never thought they would develop a drug addiction can do so very easily by dabbling in the wrong areas. For those who choose to associate with a social crowd that values drug usage, temptation is ever present and drug addiction is much more likely. If you are associating, even a little, with a crowd that uses drugs, it is a good idea to set boundaries. Going in, understand your own personal reasons for avoiding drug use and resolve to stick to your convictions. Limit your time with that particular social crowd, and try to participate only in activities where the sole focus is not on drugs.

With people who enjoy drug use, however, that can be very difficult. Drug usage becomes their focus in life and they prefer to socialize only with fellow drug users. It is best to avoid that scene altogether, but if an addiction has already formed, drug rehab help is available and recovery is possible.

Taking a look at families around the world who have experienced drug addiction first-hand would lead one to believe that, no, you cannot totally prevent drug addiction. Sometimes drug addiction happens to families who did all the right things. While drug addiction can form as a result of family dysfunction, it can also have something to do with a rebellious personality, refusal to listen and need for acceptance. However, there are some steps that can help increase the likelihood of avoiding drug addiction.

-Parents break their addictions – Parents need to set the example for their children. A parent with a drug addiction is much more likely to have a child with a drug addiction. Even with legal substances like tobacco, alcohol or caffeine, children can learn a lot from seeing a parent struggle with breaking an addiction. If a parent decides to quit drinking caffeine, using tobacco products or drinking so much alcohol, children will witness first-hand the power of drug addiction and the pain of detox.

-Have open conversations – Talk to your kids about decisions you or someone you know made in the past, the consequences of the actions and the ensuing regret. As a parent, make it clear that they can always ask you anything and be prepared for them to deliver on that promise. If they ask you about drug addictions, do not overreact or ask how they heard about that. Answer their question honestly, openly and non-judgmentally. Kids are learning about drugs at increasingly younger ages, so do not be alarmed, but be proactive.

-Show them you love them – Show your children you appreciate, respect and love them. Hug, kiss and praise them to build up their security and self-esteem, but don’t be afraid to lay down some enforceable ground rules. Your kids will appreciate having boundaries and parents who check up on them. Do not talk negatively about your children, but rather about their misbehavior. Insecurities and low self-esteem increase the likelihood of drug addiction.

-Choose friends wisely – As soon as children begin entering adulthood, there may be a temptation to buck all the teachings of their parents and “live their own life,” so to speak. Parents should lay the groundwork during childhood about the importance of choosing good friends. Hopefully this, at the very least, will stick with a person into adulthood. Carefully choosing a circle of friends is critical to avoiding drug abuse and addiction. This does not mean a person must socialize only with Puritans, but at least people who are making fairly wise, mature, adult decisions.

-Make up your own mind – A person must individually make up their own mind as to why they will not use drugs. For some, it may be fear of becoming addicted and all the negative consequences that can bring. For others, it may be bad memories from the past of a drug-addicted loved one, and an utter refusal to risk putting themselves in that situation. Some people may just consider the health benefits of living drug-free. At any rate, making up your own mind about the reasons for abstaining from drugs will help you decline offers to try them, should the occasion ever arise.

Drug addiction is caused by many things, depending on the person’s individual situation. Some addictions develop because a person started hanging around a bad crowd of people and began experimenting with drugs as a result. Other people might simply be trying to erase regrets from past disappointments, failures or wrong choices in life. Emotional, mental and physical disorders can cause someone to become mired in drug addiction. However, these disorders can also be a direct cause of the drug addiction. Sometimes the disorders can be interrelated with the drug addiction in a very complicated way.

Drug addictions do help people forget pain, but it is only temporary. The pain returns and the body becomes tolerant to the drugs. This leads to greater amounts of the drug, more often. Before the person even realizes what has happened, they are addicted. They then set that example for their children, and the addiction is cycled through the generations. Without a positive role model teaching the healthy ways of coping with stress and disappointment in life, it can be very easy for a young person to fall into drug addiction.

Because the body goes through withdrawal when coming down from the high, people will usually do anything to get high again. It might mean theft or robbery, even if family and friends are the victims – anything to get the money for the next high. It develops to the point where that next high is all a person can think about. Some drugs push a person to this critical breaking point faster than other types of drugs. However, by the time it is reached, the person is a virtually unrecognizable monster. Their personality may be changing so quickly and unpredictably at times that family and friends have good reason to be afraid and concerned.

Family and friends should try to lovingly, yet firmly, encourage their loved one to get help before it is too late. Avoid using accusatory language focused on the word “you.” Instead, family and friends should use non-threatening “I” and “we” language. For instance, “I am afraid of losing you forever and I think we need help.” Psychologically, this registers with the person that they are loved, no matter what, and they have a teammate on their side, pulling for them. By this point, they may have started to question the amount of their drug use and occasionally even considered seeking help from a drug rehab. This could be just the gentle nudge they need.

It is important to remember, however, that patience and persistence must prevail. While the development of the drug addiction may have seemed like a spring, recovery will seem more like a marathon. At any rate, neither drug addiction formation or recovery will happen overnight. Relapse is not uncommon, but also not the end of the road. This obstacle can and must be overcome if the recovering addict is to succeed in their quest for a healthy, productive life. Anything but the utmost encouragement from family and friends during this difficult time can persuade the addict to give up entirely and fall back into drug addiction even harder than before.

The causes of drug addiction are many and varied. For some, it is a matter of pressure from a negative peer group. For others, it is a matter of attaining a “high” that erases past pain from life circumstances. Sometimes the pain is physical, from an old injury. Sometimes the pain is emotional, from broken relationships, the loss of loved ones, dysfunctional families or nightmarish childhoods. The pain could also be psychological if a person is dealing with depression or a distorted self-image.

Drug addictions help people forget the pain, even though it is only temporary. Some people have never been taught how to cope with the stresses of life through healthy means. Sometimes parents set the example for their children that a drug addiction is the only way to cope. At any rate, the high wears off and the addict returns to reality just long enough to realize that they preferred being high. So they develop a drug addiction by taking another hit and demanding larger quantities of more powerful drugs more frequently.

The drug addiction will develop to the point where the next high is all a person can think about. They will do anything to get that high, even if it means using money gotten by illegal means. It can take a while for the drug addiction to develop to this point, but it will turn the addict into a different person, unknown to their friends and family. Breaking a drug addiction requires finding a new social set, changing one’s outlook on life, accepting that the drug addiction is a problem and determining to get help and find new, healthy means of coping with the stresses life will inevitably bring.

Everyone should know about drug addiction. It is important to understand for a variety of reasons. From a parental perspective, it is important to understand the signs of drug addiction in the event that children or teens begin demonstrating those signs. It is important for parents to stay on top of the trends in drug addiction among children and teens. For instance, knowledge of the current drug addiction trend of cough medicine and prescription pills usage among teens will help alert parents to keep an eye on those medications and store them in a safe, removed place.

From a youth perspective, knowledge of the evils and harsh realities of drug addiction can provide a very strong incentive to avoid drug use in the first place. It is almost inevitable that every teen will be presented with at least one opportunity to sample drugs. This can remain just a one-time thing for some, but for others it can become an overwhelming addiction.

Ideally, knowledge of the potential for drug addiction and all the negative consequences accompanying that would deter the young person from ever trying the drug. Peer pressure is a very strong influence, particularly during the adolescent and teen years. Hopefully, teens can resist the negative influences and instead be a positive influence on their peers.

If parents understand drug addiction, they can be the ones to pass related information along to their children. By educating their children on drug addiction and its evils, parents will ensure that the correct information is being passed along. This is important because there is certainly a lot of misinformation being circulated among the social circles of modern youth. It may help teens to understand that the vast majority of high school-aged teens are actually not using drugs, so anyone trying to encourage drug use is actually in the minority.

Spouses should understand the signs of drug addiction so they can help identify the problem and encourage their loved one to get help, should indicators of a drug addiction arise. It may also help to know which drugs typically cause an extreme increase in aggression and hostility, like cocaine. This is important knowledge for the sake of self-protection and that of any children in the household as well.

In addition to understanding drug addiction, it is good to be knowledgeable about drug addiction treatment. Judgment will not fix the problem; only loving support and encouragement will help. In cases where a drug addiction has already formed, it is important for addicts and their friends and family members to know that they are not alone in their troubles. Help and support is available and relatively easy to find on the Internet and in the phonebook. Whether in drug rehab, 12-step support groups, or another of the many addiction treatment options, there are plenty of programs to help the addict recover and get their quality of life back if they so choose.

It is very easy to get information on drugs. Children in modern-day culture are inundated with this information from a young age, whether at school, amongst family and friends, or in the media and entertainment. There are so many sources of information on drugs, it is up to parents and legal guardians to make sure their youngsters get the right information. More importantly, adults should help spread the message about what can happen after the care-free “experimenting with drugs” phase. Drug addiction, unplanned pregnancies, broken homes, unemployment, psychotic disorders, physical disease, arrest and imprisonment, a bleak future – no child will know about this unless someone tells them.

For parents, this can be a daunting task. What age is appropriate to begin discussing the facts on drugs and drug addiction? How much information is too much? Will it only make them more curious? Fortunately, the Internet has opened up new avenues of opportunity to gather information on any topic. Whether talking with children about drugs for the first time or preparing an intervention for a drug-addicted loved one, families can arm themselves with information from the Internet, drug rehab centers, addiction recovery support groups or even first-hand experience.

The addicts are the ones who will have to make the final decision on whether a drug addiction exists and whether they will seek help to end that addiction. This may be a gradual process or a sudden, impulsive process. For some, the process of seeking help for ending addiction is a repeated process, because relapse is far from uncommon.

Upon learning their loved ones have fallen into drug addiction, friends and family members may want answers fast. What went wrong? Was there anything that could have been done differently? What should be done now? A simple search of the Internet can provide answers to the endless questions and also provide contact information for resources in the local area that can help shed light on the drug addiction itself. The Internet can point the way to support groups – some even in the form of an online discussion group. It can be very helpful to find others who understand and empathize with your particular situation.

It is not uncommon for relatives to view the drug addiction within their family as a shameful matter they prefer to keep private, especially in the early stages. However, that is often the time when help is most critical, if the addiction is to be broken. Thus, the Internet is a perfect opportunity to conduct research on drug addictions and support organizations for breaking drug addictions before any professionals are even contacted.

However, while the Internet is a goldmine of information on drug addiction, it also offers plenty of mis-information. Those conducting research over the Internet should look for web sites that end in .edu or .gov. These are often the most likely to carry reputable, accurate information. Web sites ending in .com are probably reputable, but also may have a commercial agenda. Above all, use discretion and gather information from several different web sites. Try to find discussion forums or message boards where real people talk about their experiences with drug addiction.

With drug addiction, it may seem like the actual addict is the only person whose life quality and mental, physical and emotional health is affected. In reality, drug addiction affects many more people than just the addict. It affects the addict’s significant other, children, parents, co-workers and boss, to name a few. Drug addiction causes such abrupt and startling changes in the addict’s personality that those who come in daily contact with the addict may be completely overwhelmed by the addict’s unpredictable behavior.

In many cases, drug addiction leads to divorce, unemployment or imprisonment, which has an entirely new set of consequences for all those involved. In the case of unemployment, the boss must replace their employee with a new one who must be trained from the beginning. The family loses income and possibly even health insurance. Divorce will certainly have a ripple effect in the lives of any children involved, and can create a very messy financial situation. Imprisonment has the potential to completely ruin a person’s life, and felony charges affect the addict’s future employment prospects.

Unemployment, divorce and imprisonment all have the potential to worsen the depression and low self image that is already present in many cases as a result – or sometimes a cause – of drug addiction. Unemployment, divorce and imprisonment all also have an effect on society. It may be in the form of dependence on disability, unemployment or welfare checks from the government, not to mention medicare. Drug addicts themselves may become dependent on these social services, or their significant other and children may become reliant on the services as a result of the loss of income related to a job loss, arrest or divorce.

Drug addiction can also drive people into homelessness, which is another social issue. As people fall further into addiction, they become more desperate for funds to continue feeding the habit. This situation lends itself toward criminal behavior, which is a problem due to jail overcrowding, understaffed and underfunded police forces, and overworked prosecutors, drug lab technicians and public defenders. There are a ton of social issues related to drug addiction.

If a person with a drug addiction decides to drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of drugs, they could be responsible for the serious physical injury or death of themselves or other people. This also goes for baby-sitting, caring for the elderly or any other of the many activities that require a level of responsibility. The bottom line is that drug addiction has so many consequences, many of which were inconceivable at the moment when the addict first began experimenting with drugs. All too often, the consequences of a drug addiction are not fully realized by a drug addict until it is entirely too late to reverse the harm that has occurred. However, it is never too late to reverse the addiction itself. Drug rehab centers, 12-step support groups and a whole host of counselors and therapists are ready and willing to help addicts turn their backs on their past behavior and start living their lives for good.

Drug addiction can be relatively easy to identify. However, depending upon factors such as amount and type of drug involved, an addiction can also be relatively easy to hide. It can be especially imperceptible to co-workers and casual acquaintances who do not see the addict often. This is because drug addicts often go to great lengths to hide their addiction. They might relegate the drug use to vacation days, sick days or weekends. They might use only in the evening hours, or they might be very practiced at functioning reasonably normal under the influence.

However, if enough time passes, the addiction can progress to the point of total obsession. It will consume all of the person’s time and money, and will likely progress to harder, more serious drugs in larger amounts. The addiction will also begin to take a toll on the body, with telltale physical signs that are painfully obvious to loved ones, casual acquaintances and even perfect strangers.

Physical signs of a drug addiction include such things as dilated pupils, sudden and drastic weight loss or gain and a lack of interest in personal hygiene. The nose may be chronically runny or it may even be bloody at times. If the drug addiction involves needle injections, then tiny, round bruises may appear on the arm and “tracks,” or lines, may appear under the skin. If the drug addiction involves smoking or cooking, like crack cocaine or methamphetamine, burns may appear on the fingertips and mouth area.

The person may become extremely tired or lazy or they may become extremely hyperactive, high-strung, nervous and fast-talking. Their behavior can become quite unpredictable, with extreme mood swings and violent behavior at times. This is why exposure to someone with a prolonged, escalating drug addiction can put innocent people at serious personal risk.

Emotional signs may also quickly appear as a result of the drug addiction. These might include depression, euphoria, aggression, hostility, social withdrawal and unusually introverted behavior. Mental signs of a drug addiction are sometimes easier to mask, but should be of serious concern. These include memory loss, repeating oneself constantly, anxiety and paranoia.

Mental signs of a drug addiction are sometimes easier to mask. Another thing to observe is the crowd the suspected drug addict associates with. If members of that social crowd display many of the following behaviors, they very likely have drug addictions. Chances are quite good that the suspected drug addict has already followed suit or is not far behind.

Some signs of drug addiction – like fatigue, social withdrawal and extreme mood swings – are typical in most adolescents and are a natural part of growing into adulthood. Parents should make allowances for this and avoid jumping to conclusions based on symptoms that may not necessarily indicate drug addiction. However, parents should be concerned if they find their child to be in possession of drug-related items such as rolling papers, Ziploc bags, pipes, needles, or prescription pills in unmarked containers.

Other indications of drug addiction include the constant need for money, constant tardiness or absenteeism at school or work, missing deadlines or curfews and the commission of crimes like theft, shoplifting or robbery.

Drug addictions affect many more people than the user. Of course, this is not often a concern of the drug addict’s because they are so focused on and caught up in the addiction. But when they use, it affects not only their own mental and physical health, but it can also have a terribly detrimental effect on their relationships with others. This, in turn, can create emotional problems. In some cases, the mental, emotional and physical health disorders started long before the drug addiction began, sometimes even in childhood – and the addiction becomes a way to ease that pain. Ironically, it only makes the situation much worse.

A drug addict’s family and non-using friends may begin to withdraw from the addict because they do not understand the behavior. They are hurt and frustrated by the empty promises and the forgotten plans and daily obligations. Particularly during the time before the drug addiction comes to light, family members or friends may be appalled at the behavior of their loved one. Even though they may suspect a drug addiction, until it comes to light for certain, friends and family members will not understand the behavior of their loved one.

Angry words, hostile actions and complete social withdrawal by the drug addict may be interpreted by loved ones as a personal affront. In reality, the drug addict probably doesn’t truly mean most of what they say and do, but are merely controlled by their terrible addiction. In some cases, a drug addict may need money so bad in order to feed the addiction that they may steal from or physically harm friends and family members. These loved ones may become so insulted and withdrawn from the addict that they find it difficult to support that person’s recovery when the addiction finally does come to light. Providing support and encouragement becomes particularly difficult when the person is on their third or fourth try at drug rehab if they have experienced repeated relapse. In turn, any lack of support might hinder the recovery process, and it can become a vicious cycle.

Drug addictions also affect the boss and the workplace. Productivity from the employee with a drug addiction will usually decrease sharply, leaving co-workers to pick up the slack. This will lead to resentment and bitterness among the staff, which could certainly have an effect on daily operations and supervisor-employee relations. This could also have an effect on customers’ perceptions and the company’s overall performance and reputation.

Drug addiction also affects society as a whole. The addiction consumes a person’s life entirely, rendering them completely unemployable. It becomes a social problem. The addict will either come to rely on government support or will become homeless and desperate. This increases the homeless population and possibly even crime statistics. The need for the latest fix can turn drug addicts into transients who will stop at nothing to feed the addiction. They may also become a financial drain on society, in terms of healthcare spending and law enforcement costs.

To a certain extent, parents can influence the decisions their children make in life by a few simple steps early on. Have honest conversations about drug use and drug addiction. Parents may even want to share some experiences from their own life or the lives of people they’ve known in order to illustrate for children how drugs can affect a person. Make it clear that drug addiction has very strong potential to overtake and ruin a life, hurting many others in the process. If parents do not discuss such things with children, they will get their drug education elsewhere – and it may not be what parents want them to hear. A little preventative education can go a long way.

To prevent drug addictions from developing, parents should also be involved in their children’s lives. They should remain aware of their social lives throughout junior high and high school. Who are their friends? Where are they going? When will they be home? Will there be chaperons? Set curfews and house rules. Parents should get to know the parents of their children’s friends and exchange phone numbers in order to follow up on the children’s plans, ensuring they are truly where they say they are.

Telltale signs of drug addiction can help a parent identify the problem early on and perhaps intervene before it develops into a more serious problem later on. The drugs of choice may become increasingly potent and the doses ever larger until the addiction is all-consuming, surpassing any other cares or concerns in life. That is why it is important for parents to be aware and alert and try to intervene sooner rather than later.

Signs of a potential developing drug addiction include:

• Appetite loss
• Weight loss
• Decreased interest in personal hygiene
• Decreased motivation
• Social withdrawal
• Depression
• Hostility
• Mood swings
• Evasiveness
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Many of these symptoms are typical of adolescence, regardless of drug addiction. Thus, it may be difficult to tell whether your child is developing a drug addiction. Ask questions frequently and compare notes with other parents. If a child is persistently answering evasively or breaking house rules, they may be hiding something and may need to be punished accordingly with the removal of privileges. Do not act rashly or without just cause, however, as this may serve only to drive a child further away.

If you discover your child has a drug addiction, encourage them to talk about it. Do not judge, but ask them whether they are truly happy with their current place in life. There are a number of excellent youth programs and drug rehabs that can help them overcome the addiction. Unfortunately, it may ultimately come down to the removal of privileges, eviction from the house if they are old enough or even a phone call to police, which could land them in juvenile detention. The legal system in some cities also offers a teen drug court, a drug abstinence program for youth that has been shown to be quite an effective alternative to incarceration. Ultimately, the best prevention is honest discussion long before kids are ever even offered drugs and a non-judgmental, “open door” policy.