Drug addiction is a complex brain disease. It is
characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable,
drug craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the
face of extremely negative consequences. Drug seeking
becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the
effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and
on behavior. For many people, drug addiction becomes
chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods
of abstinence.
For more information visit:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/published_articles/myths.html
How Quickly Can I Become Addicted to a Drug? There is
no easy answer to this. If and how quickly you might
become addicted to a drug depends on many factors
including your genes (which you inherit from your
parents) and the biology of your body. All drugs are
potentially harmful and may have life-threatening
consequences associated with their use. There are also
vast differences among individuals in sensitivity to
various drugs. While one person may use a drug one or
many times and suffer no ill effects, another person may
be particularly vulnerable and overdose with first use.
There is no way of knowing in advance how someone may
react.
How Do I Know if Someone is Addicted to Drugs? If a
person is compulsively seeking and using a drug despite
negative consequences, such as loss of job, debt,
physical or mental problems brought on by drug abuse, or
family problems, then he or she is probably addicted. We
don't have a perfect screening tool quite yet, but
health care professionals who screen for drug use often
ask questions like these to detect substance abuse in
their adolescent patients:
- Have you ever ridden in a car driven by someone
(including yourself) who had been using alcohol or
drugs?
- Do you ever use alcohol or drugs to relax, feel
better about yourself, or fit in?
- Do you ever use alcohol or drugs when you are alone?
- Do you ever forget things you did while using alcohol
or drugs?
- Do your family or friends ever tell you to cut down
on your drinking or drug use?
- Have you ever gotten into trouble while you were
using alcohol or drugs?
What Are the Physical Signs of Abuse or Addiction?
The physical signs of abuse or addiction can vary
depending on the person and the drug being abused. In
addition, each drug has short-term and long-term
physical effects. For example, someone who abuses
marijuana may have a chronic cough or worsening of
asthmatic conditions. Stimulants like cocaine increase
heart rate and blood pressure, whereas opioids like
heroin may slow the heart rate and reduce respiration.
From NIDA
http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drnida/drnida_brain1.asp#top
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