Dealing With Addiction

ason's life is beginning to unravel. His grades have slipped, he's
moody, he doesn't talk to his friends, and he has stopped showing up for
practice. Jason's friends know he has been experimenting with drugs and
now they're worried he has become addicted.




Defining an addiction is tricky, and knowing how to handle one is even harder.

What Are Substance Abuse and Addiction?






The difference between substance abuse and addiction is very slight.
Substance abuse means using an illegal substance or using a legal
substance in the wrong way. Addiction begins as abuse, or using a
substance like marijuana or cocaine.

You can abuse a drugs (or alcohols)
without having an addiction. For example, just because Sara smoked pot a
few times doesn't mean that she has an addiction, but it does mean that
she's abusing a drug — and that could lead to an addiction.

People can get addicted to all sorts of substances. When we think of
addiction, we usually think of alcohol or illegal drugs. But people
become addicted to medications, cigarettes, even glue!

And some substances are more addictive than others: Drugs like crack
or heroin are so addictive that they might only be used once or twice
before the user loses control.

Addiction means a person has no control over whether
he or she uses a drug or drinks. Someone who's addicted to cocaine has
grown so used to the drug that he or she has to have it. Addiction can be physical, psychological, or both.

Physical Addiction



Being physically addicted means a person's body actually becomes
dependent on a particular substance (even smoking is physically
addictive). It also means building tolerance to that substance, so that a person needs a larger dose than ever before to get the same effects.

Someone who is physically addicted and stops using a substance like drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes may experience withdrawal symptoms. Common symptoms of withdrawal are diarrhea, shaking, and generally feeling awful.Psychological Addiction



Psychological addiction happens when the cravings for a drug are
psychological or emotional. People who are psychologically addicted feel
overcome by the desire to have a drug. They may lie or steal to get it.

A person crosses the line between abuse and addiction when he or she
is no longer trying the drug to have fun or get high, but has come to
depend on it. His or her whole life centers around the need for the
drug. An addicted person — whether it's a physical or psychological
addiction or both — no longer feels like there is a choice in taking a
substance.

Signs of Addiction



The most obvious sign of an addiction is the need to have a
particular drug or substance. However, many other signs can suggest a
possible addiction, such as changes in mood or weight loss or gain.
(These also are signs of other conditions too, though, such as depression or eating disorders.)

Signs that you or someone you know may have a drug or alcohol addiction include:

Psychological signals:

• use of drugs or alcohol as a way to forget problems or to relax
  
• withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends
  
• loss of interest in activities that used to be important
  
• problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or absences
  
• changes in friendships, such as hanging out only with friends who use drugs
  
• spending a lot of time figuring out how to get drugs
  
• stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs
  
• failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking
  
• anxiety, anger, or depression
  
• mood swings
  

Physical signals:

• changes in sleeping habits
  
• feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop
  
• needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect
  
• changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain
  
• 
  

Getting Help



If you think that you or someone you care about is addicted to drugs
or alcohol, recognizing the problem is the first step in getting help.

Many people think they can kick the problem on their own, but that
rarely works. Find someone you trust to talk to. It may help to talk to a
friend or someone your own age at first, but a supportive and
understanding adult is your best option for getting help. If you can't
talk to your parents, you might want to approach a school counselor,
relative, doctor, favorite teacher, or religious leader.

Unfortunately, overcoming addiction is not easy. Quitting drugs or
drinking is probably going to be one of the hardest things you or your
friend have ever done. It's not a sign of weakness if you need
professional help from a trained drug counselor or therapist. Most
people who try to kick a drug or alcohol problem need professional
assistance or a treatment program to do so.

Tips for Recovery



Once you start a treatment program, try these tips to make the road to recovery less bumpy:

• Tell your friends about your decision to stop using drugs.
  Your true friends will respect your decision. This might mean that you
  need to find a new group of friends who will be 100% supportive. Unless
  everyone decides to kick their drug habit at once, you probably won't be
  able to hang out with the friends you did drugs with.
  
• Ask your friends or family to be available when you need them.
  You might need to call someone in the middle of the night just to talk.
  If you're going through a tough time, don't try to handle things on
  your own — accept the help your family and friends offer.
  
• Accept invitations only to events that you know won't involve drugs or alcohol.
  Going to the movies is probably safe, but you may want to skip a Friday
  night party until you're feeling more secure. Plan activities that
  don't involve drugs. Go to the movies, try bowling, or take an art class
  with a friend.
  
• Have a plan about what you'll do if you find yourself in a place with drugs or alcohol.
  The temptation will be there sometimes, but if you know how you're
  going to handle it, you'll be OK. Establish a plan with your parents,
  siblings, or other supportive friends and adults so that if you call
  home using a code, they'll know that your call is a signal you need a
  ride out of there.
  
• Remind yourself that having an addiction doesn't make a person bad or weak.
  If you fall back into old patterns (backslide) a bit, talk to an adult
  as soon as possible. There's nothing to be ashamed about, but it's
  important to get help soon so that all of the hard work you put into
  your recovery is not lost.
  

If you're worried about a friend who has an addiction, you can use
these tips to help him or her. For example, let your friend know that
you are available to talk or offer your support. If you notice a friend
backsliding, talk about it openly and ask what you can do to help.

If your friend is going back to drugs or drinking and won't accept
your help, don't be afraid to talk to a nonthreatening, understanding
adult, like your parent or school counselor. It may seem like you're
ratting your friend out, but it's the best support you can offer.

Above all, offer a friend who's battling an addiction lots of
encouragement and praise. It may seem corny, but hearing that you care
is just the kind of motivation your friend needs.Staying Clean



Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction doesn't end with a 6-week
treatment program. It's a lifelong process. Many people find that
joining a support group can help them stay clean. There are support
groups specifically for teens and younger people. You'll meet people who
have gone through the same experiences you have, and you'll be able to
participate in real-life discussions about drugs that you won't hear in
your school's health class.

Many people find that helping others is also the best way to help
themselves. Your understanding of how difficult the recovery process can
be will help you to support others — both teens and adults — who are
battling an addiction.

If you do have a relapse, recognizing the problem as soon as possible
is critical. Get help right away so that you don't undo all the hard
work you put into your initial recovery. And, if you do have a relapse,
don't ever be afraid to ask for help!