Alcohol & Drug

Family History of Dependency It is strongly believed that there are genetic factors that make people advance easily and quickly into neurochemical and organic dependency. alcohol INTRODUCTION categories of drugs High Stress Occupations As stated before, stress is usually the igniter of the progression of dependency. & drug Alcohol and drug abuse is a major problem in Drugs of abuse can be classified in three general our country. It leads to broken families, categories: depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Traumatic Events People who have experienced trauma are suscep- numerous health problems, lost jobs, poor job Depressant drugs tible to using/drinking to dull the emotional and performance, family/marital problems, produce a calming effect and slow down the psychological pain resulting from events such as child/spousal abuse, suicides, and death. central nervous system (CNS). For this reason, assault, rape, murder, armed robbery, domestic According to recent reports, at least 20% of the violence, etc. abuse some depressants are called sedatives. population in the United States suffers from Depressant drugs include: alcohol, tranquilizers Emotional Problems some form of alcohol/drug abuse. It is also (valium, xanax, ativan), barbituates, and People who have mental health problems such as Use depression, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and conservatively estimated that one alcohol/drug opiates/opioids (heroin, percodan, vicodin, even schizophrenia may use alcohol/drugs to self- abuser affects at least five other people. opium, oxycontin). medicate their psychiatric symptoms. People suffering loss of loved ones also may self-medicate. Stimulant drugs The purpose of this information is to help speed up the central nervous system (CNS) and Chronic Pain people better understand alcohol and drug excite functional activity in the body. Stimulant People who have chronic pain like arthritis, back problems and seek help in the early stages of problems, migraines, etc., often have had to use Abuse drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, ecstacy, addicting pain pills for a period of time and can the illness, when it is easier to treat and there methamphetamine, nicotine and caffeine. develop dependency. Some may use the legal non- are less disastrous effects. This information is Hallucinogenic drugs prescriptive drug – alcohol – to ease their pain. also intended to help prevent individuals from alter and distort concepts of reality. For example, developing an alcohol/drug problem. As you can see, all of these vulnerability factors one may see or hear things that are not there or involve social, emotional, or physical discomfort. one might see music and hear colors. Depth Many people believe stating someone has an perception and sense of time and space may be ‘alcohol’ and a ‘drug problem’ is being DependencY distorted. Some examples of hallucinogenic redundant. In many ways they are correct, WHAT CAN YOU DO? drugs are LSD, acid, PCP, marijuana, mescaline because alcohol is a drug. So, we are really and peyote. You have to be honest with yourself. Did you relate talking about drugs here, or what is often to any of the signs or vulnerability factors? Imagin- called substance abuse. ing a red flag after each item you related to, if the pages look unduly red, you may have a problem. If As you can see, different drugs do different things, but you have only a few, you may be vulnerable or in the Before we go further, let us categorize some there are some effects that are common to all drugs early stages of a problem. Do you recognize a family of the more common drugs of abuse. and these are: all drugs change the way you feel, all member with these problems? The best time to can be used to escape unwanted feelings, and all consult with a professional about drug/alcohol use is when the page doesn’t look too red. It is NEVER too have the potential to cause dependency. late however, to seek help for a problem. There are different types of programs available to deal with alcohol and drug problems and most are on an outpa- tient basis. The first step is to talk about the problem with a person trained to assess your situation. Think Health. Act Now! City of Milwaukee Health Dept. City of Milwaukee Health Department Written by Bob Schweitzer, Employee Assistance Coordinator Health Department Graphics Services R 5/05 PROGRESSION OF DEPENDENCY SIGNS OF DEPENDENCY Drinking Despite Adverse Consequences It is a major indication of a problem when somebody Drug dependency does not happen overnight. Dependency takes time and is quicker with some drugs, but all drug drinks/uses in light of continual negative experiences. Stress Relief Use dependencies involve a progression. There is a starting point that advances from use ➔ to abuse ➔ to dependency ➔ Constantly getting in trouble at work, at home or with Using/drinking to deal with stress and problems. and then to physical addiction. the law, and continuing use is a strong sign that it is out of control. Using/drinking despite strong medical Use Physical Addiction Blackouts advice not to, high blood pressure, heart problems, Blackouts mostly occur with alcohol and it is when one liver problems, ulcers etc., is a strong indicator that Moderate/Social Use Neurochemical Dependency does not remember significant events that occurred when the use is out of control. This is use that is done in a temperate and social At this stage, the brain’s chemistry adjusts to the drinking. It is a memory lapse that could be one hour, way. It is not done to escape reality or drug and now needs it to maintain a comfortable one day, or in some extreme cases, a week or more. Shakes/Tremors uncomfortableness. Moderate or social use does mental and physical state. This induces craving for As a result of physical addiction, withdrawal appears not cause problems. the drug simply to satisfy the brain alteration. The Guilt/Remorse in the form of shakes, tremors and extreme psychological and emotional dependency com- Bad feelings about things that resulted from using/drinking nervousness when the drug is not present sufficiently Occasional Stress Relief Use pounds this brain chemical craving and makes the too much, such as: what one may have done, the amount in the body. This is not necessarily indicative of a problem, if desire – the need for the drug – overwhelming. of money spent, how late one came home, etc. done occasionally and in an appropriate manner; however, occasional stress relief use can be the Organic Dependency Lack of Control start of a problem. The continued, frequent, and excessive use of the This is the inability to predict the consequences of taking drug makes the major organs of the body adjust to it one drink, one pill, one hit, etc., with any degree of VULNERABILITY AND and become physically dependent (addicted). By accuracy; or using/drinking past one’s intention. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO Abuse organic we mean the heart, lungs, liver; the whole body becomes dependent on the action of the drug. Personality Changes DEPENDENCY Increased Stress Relief Use At this stage, the body itself needs the drug to Becoming a different person while under the influence, This is the point where use becomes often aggressive, belligerent or hostile. maintain a comfortable physical and mental state. Low Threshold for Distress abuse/misuse. The frequency of relieving some Not having the drug would induce an extreme type of stress with a drug increases. Previous Attempts to Control People who have difficulty dealing with stress are reaction that is called withdrawal – the body literally prime candidates for drug problems because they can stressors intensify. The drug abuse begins to needs the drug. Setting limits, (usually to please someone else). May be cause more problems that in turn increases successful for a period of time, but eventually the same use drugs to calm themselves and are therefore more stress, which leads to more drug use. In this pattern of out-of-control behavior returns. susceptible to developing dependency. stage, emotional and psychological dependency The time it takes for drug use to evolve Peer Group Pressure begin. The drug use/drinking is now a problem. from moderate/social use to organic Family Problems/Concern People can be drawn into using/drinking under dependency varies on the individual and the Causing family problems; having people express concerns pressure to be part of the crowd, and to fit in. This drug. Alcohol may take years; cocaine may about one’s using/drinking. Children start having behavioral is particularly true with teenagers, but can also Dependency take only months to bring someone to problems; spouses may become depressed and angry. happen to adults in work groups or social circles. bottomed-out dependency; still all drug Emotional/Psychological Dependency dependency cases exhibit progression. It is Work/Legal Problems The individual now needs the drug to relieve Role Models our hope that people will come to terms Drinking/using affects work attendance, performance, stress on a regular basis. Without regular use, By example of using/drinking, a person who is a role with their use well before the later stages. punctuality, consistency, and behavior. Trouble with the one becomes increasingly agitated, depressed, law may occur, such as drunk driving, disorderly conduct, model – one who is looked up to – may impress and anxious. The mind adjusts to the drug and The following are signs that indicate a possession of illicit drugs, dealing, etc. upon others that it is ‘cool’ to do so. Parents and now needs it to maintain a comfortable mental person may have drug abuse problems. authority figures, like coaches, teachers, police state. As the mind becomes more dependent on Remember alcohol also is a drug. Binges officers, and older siblings wield a heavy influence the drug, the body begins to adjust, particularly Extended bouts of using/drinking.

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