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Introduction
You may be hooked emotionally and psychologically. You may have
a physical dependence, too. If you have a drug addiction —
whether to a legal or illegal drug — you have intense cravings
for it. You want to use the drug again and again. When you stop
taking it, you may have unpleasant physical reactions.
While not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, many people
do. Drug addiction involves compulsively seeking to use a
substance, regardless of the potentially negative social,
psychological and physical consequences. Certain drugs, such as
narcotics and cocaine, are more likely to cause physical
dependence than are other drugs.
Breaking a drug addiction is difficult, but not impossible.
Support from your doctor, family, friends and others who have a
drug addiction, as well as inpatient or outpatient drug
addiction treatment, may help you beat your drug dependence.
Signs and
Symptoms
The range of drugs to which you can become addicted is wide. The
drugs include:
Cannabis compounds. These compounds are found in
marijuana and hashish.
Central nervous system depressants. Barbiturates
and benzodiazepines are examples of central nervous system
depressants. Phenobarbital, amobarbital (Amytal) and
secobarbital (Seconal) are examples of barbiturates.
Benzodiazepines include tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium),
alprazolam (Xanax), oxazepam (Serax), lorazepam (Ativan),
clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
Central nervous system stimulants. This class of
drugs includes amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine and
methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Designer drugs. Synthetic compounds, such as
Ecstasy, which has both amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic
effects, are included in this category.
Hallucinogens. LSD, phencyclidine (PCP) and
ketamine (special K) are examples of hallucinogens.
Inhalants. Glue, paint, solvents and nitrous oxide can all be
used as inhalant drugs.
Opioids. Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs
produced naturally from opium or made synthetically. This class
of drugs includes heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and
oxycodone (Oxycontin).
General
signs and symptoms
Addiction to any drug may include these general characteristics:
Feeling that you need the drug regularly and, in some cases, many
times a day
Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
Failing repeatedly in your attempts to stop using the drug
Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such
as stealing
Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems
Driving or doing other activities that place you and others at risk
of physical harm when you're under the
influence of the drug
Reference: mayoclinic.com
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