Symptoms and Treatment Options for Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Drug abuse and alcohol abuse lead to addiction. This can make a person so much dependent on drugs and alcohol that withdrawal becomes difficult. The more the abuse, the higher are the health risks. It is crucial to understand more about alcohol and substance abuse. The article explains the different types of alcohol and substance abuse and the symptoms caused.
- Alcohol abuse
One of the different types of alcohol and substance abuse is alcohol use disorder. This is a problem where a person abuses alcohol and is addicted to it. Heavy drinking and binge drinking are common signs of alcohol abuse.
It is estimated that nearly one in every twelve adults in America suffers from alcohol abuse. Drinking more than fourteen drinks a week for men or seven drinks a week for women is considered heavy drinking, leading to abuse. Some of the symptoms of alcohol abuse are as follows:- Mood swings and feeling irritable.
- The compulsion to drink alcohol
- Not doing routine work due to drinking and it’s after-effects.
- Blackouts or memory loss for some time.
- Social isolation.
- Medicine abuse
One of the dangerous forms of substance abuse is an addiction to medicines, which may be over-the-counter medicine or prescription medicines. Opioid pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and cough and cold medicines are commonly abused. Medicines contain chemicals that can cause serious side effects. Overdoses can even be fatal.
- Nicotine abuse
Nicotine is a chemical found in cigarettes and tobacco products. It gives a feeling of pleasure, which makes people addicted to smoking. The more nicotine is consumed, more is the desire to smoke. It is well-known that smoking is harmful and affects blood circulation. It is one of the common causes of cancer. Nicotine abuse is dangerous. - Heroin abuse
Heroin is a narcotic that is illegal to use. It creates a high that makes people get addicted to it. Stopping heroin consumption is difficult, and it can cause nausea, chills, and anxiety. This makes people consume more of this dangerous substance. - Cocaine abuse
Cocaine is another harmful substance that makes a person feel happy and lively. It can cause sudden mood swings. When the effect of cocaine runs out, there is a strong desire to take more of it, causing addiction. - Marijuana abuse
Marijuana is a substance that is legalized in some states for medical and even recreational uses. Abuse of marijuana can cloud thinking, and it makes a person sleepy. This is a substance that causes addiction, which is why it is banned in many places. - Effects of substance abuse
Substance abuse can affect a person’s health. The desire to consume the substance can cloud their thinking and make them do illegal things. It can make them feel listless and cause drastic behavioral changes. The overdose of substances can even be fatal sometimes.
The different types of alcohol and substance abuse highlighted in this article can cause addictions. Treating it is time-consuming and difficult, hence it is essential to avoid becoming addicts to drugs and alcohol.