We explain what drug addiction is, its history and how drugs are classified. Also, what are its characteristics, causes and consequences.
What is drug addiction?
It is called drug addiction, drug dependence or drug dependence. pathological dependence on stimulant substances or altering the central nervous system, capable of inducing hallucinations and altered states of consciousness, affecting judgment, emotions and senses.
These substances, known as drugs or psychotropics, They can be of natural or synthetic origin and are mostly prohibited by law.
Drug addiction is a global public health phenomenon that has repercussions on other social problems such as crime, school dropouts, prostitution and suicide.
It is considered that Child and adolescent populations are the most vulnerable to this phenomenon, since they lack the judgment structures and maturity necessary to protect themselves.
There are cases of addiction to legal drugssuch as drugs and medicines, but in particular there is fear of synthetic, chemical drugs, designed to generate a very high dependency effect and to enslave the individual through their consumption, who, in order to consume, is capable of sacrificing material, moral and emotional elements that would be indispensable in other conditions.
History of drug addiction
Addiction to psychoactive substances has accompanied man since ancient timessince these have often played an important role in ritual and magical acts (such as shamanic ones) to induce individuals into a “higher” state of consciousness.
Substances such as alcohol, tobacco or cocaine They have been present in civilization since time immemorialas well as the prohibitions or limitations of their consumption, given the harmful effect (social, physical, psychological) that they can have on individuals who consume them excessively or constantly.
Classification of drugs
Drugs can be substances of diverse origin: synthetic (created in a laboratory) or natural (derived from plants, animals and fungi), but they have in common a distorting effect on emotions and sensations, which can range from lucid dreams, sensations of pleasure and euphoria, up to hallucinations of varying degrees.
Drugs are usually classified according to their effect on the body, as follows:
- Stimulants. Those substances that produce a “high” or hyperactivity or enlargement effect on the emotions and energy levels of the individual.
- Hallucinogens. They induce erroneous, mysterious or unreal perceptions in the individual’s senses, allowing him to see what is not there or even experience lucid dreams.
- Depressants. Those that rather calm and lull the individual, reducing their bodily activity and inducing relaxation.
Another possible classification is according to the level of dependency:
- Hard drugs. Those whose addictive effect is immediate and intense, such as heroin.
- Soft drugs. Those whose dependency effect is milder and requires prolonged use to turn them into a habit.
Diagnosis of drug addiction
According to specialists in the psychiatric area (DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10), certain consumption and behavioral traits must be met in individuals to be considered drug addicts. It is enough for three of the following to occur in a continuous period of 12 months:
- Increasing tolerance to the substance. This has less and less effect and more must be consumed to feel the same effect.
- Abstinence syndrome. When you stop using the substance for a long time, the individual becomes distressed, feels physically bad or despairs at more or less uncontrollable levels.
- Lack of control of consumption. The substance is consumed in larger quantities or for a much longer period of time than initially intended.
- Suffering from consumption. Substance use occurs despite knowing its harmful effects on the individual’s life (social, physical, emotional), and is often accompanied by an intense (but ineffective) desire to control or stop use.
- Obsession to consume. The individual progressively abandons all other interests that do not have to do with the consumption of the substance.
Stages of drug addiction
Three stages are usually identified in the drug addiction cycle, which feed on each other and generate more and more psychological and physical damage:
- Anxiety about consuming. The individual feels a strong desire to consume and even a physical discomfort if he does not do so in time. This is also known as “craving” (from English: to crave, to desire very intensely).
- Uncontrolled consumption. The substance is ultimately consumed despite the individual’s own reservations and the cost (moral, economic, social) that it entails.
- Culpability. Consumption generates a feeling of guilt once the euphoric or well-being phase has passed, and the individual promises not to consume more or not to consume in the same way, a promise that cannot be kept once the craving begins.
Overdose
Since continuous exposure to drugs attenuates their effect on the individual, he or she tends to increase the dose to be able to feel the same and thus he gets closer and closer to the deadly limit of consumption, being able to expose himself to a higher dose than his body (often weakened by addiction) can bear.
Consequences of drug addiction
The consequences of drug addiction are devastating for the individual and their family environment, and include:
- Inability to lead a normal life. Eventually the drug takes over the life of the consumer, who begins to sacrifice more and more things to have it: he pays more and more money (and often loses the normal ability to generate it), sells personal items, etc.
- Physical and psychological damage. Beyond the emotional damage that the cycle of guilt and despair that destroys their life produces in the individual, uncontrolled consumption can lead to physical damage (infection of diseases, malnutrition due to lack of appetite) or even neuronal damage.
- Isolation. Given the destructive nature of the cycle, drug addicts tend to isolate themselves and be rejected by their emotional environments: partners, family and friends, who can be victims of their needs.
- Death. Due to overdose, derived complications or street violence, given that the addict usually handles himself in illicit environments.
Causes of drug addiction
Much of the world’s population uses soft drugs. absolutely recreational way and taking moderate risksBut other people may turn to drugs to escape difficult situations in their personal lives, such as trauma, loss or chronic feelings of discomfort.
Legal drug addictions
There is also the possibility of becoming addicted to legally consumed substancessuch as alcohol, cigarettes, sleeping pills, even coffee.
However, because they are controlled by law (and despite the fact that many of them cost the lives of many people every year), its consumption is tolerated and even encouraged openly in the consumer society.
Drug addiction prevention
To prevent drug addiction, especially in vulnerable populations, They must be informed and educated appropriately regarding them and without taboos., as well as forming personal values and vital passions that serve as a counterweight to the seduction of drugs. It is also essential to have agencies for the treatment and care of addicts, which serve both to recover addicts and to deter potential users.
Main drugs consumed
The most consumed drugs in the world are marijuana (cannabis), cocaine in its various presentations (powder, stones or “crack”)heroin, ecstasy (pills), alcohol, tobacco and anxiolytics (sleeping pills).