Drug Addiction: Cocaine Is the Most Addictive

Certain drugs, such as narcotics and cocaine, central nervous system stimulant, are more physically addicting than are other drugs.

Drug addiction affects 19.5 million Americans over the age of 12. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug. While not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, many people do. As many as 19,000 people die of drug-related causes every year.

Certain drugs, such as narcotics and cocaine, central nervous system stimulant, are more physically addicting than are other drugs. Drug addiction involves seeking to use a drug substance, in spite of all the negative social, psychological and physical consequences.

Among the common symptoms of cocaine addiction are:
Euphoria
Decreased appetite
Rapid speech
Irritability
Restlessness
Depression as the drug wears off
Nasal congestion and damage to the mucous membrane of the nose in users who snort drugs

Because denial is nearly always a characteristic of drug addiction, people who are addicted to or who abuse drugs often won’t seek medical treatment on their own. Family members, friends or co-workers may need to persuade someone to undergo screening for drug addiction. Breaking a drug addiction may involve counseling, an outpatient treatment program or residential treatment.

Drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder, meaning that a person tends to fall back into old addictive behaviors, including drug use, even after treatment. The sooner a person seeks help, the greater his or her chances for a long-term recovery.

Drug addiction treatment usually involves step for breaking the chemical dependence of the drug. Since withdrawal from different categories of drugs produces different side effects and requires different approaches.

The goal of withdrawal therapy of drug addiction, or detoxification, is for you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as possible. Detoxification may involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other substances that have less severe side effects. For some people it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis. Other people may require placement in a hospital or a residential treatment center.

Central nervous system stimulant, such as cocaine, addiction treatment is usually limited to emotional support from your family, friends and doctor. The doctor may recommend medications to treat paranoid psychosis or depression, since side effects of withdrawal typically include depression, fatigue, anxiety and intense cravings. Treatment typically involves steps to help a person withdraw from using the drug, followed by counseling and attending self-help groups to help you resist using the addictive drug again.

Treatment programs for drug addiction generally include educational sessions and individual, group and family counseling. They’re available in various settings from outpatient to residential and inpatient programs.

SOURCE: MAYO CLINIC HEALTH INFORMATION

Print Version
Tell-a-Friend