Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you're addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication. The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.

You may need help from your doctor, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program to overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.

Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members: Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or angst from signs of drug use. Possible indications that your teenager or other family member is using drugs include:

-- •Problems at school or work — frequently missing school or work, a sudden disinterest in school activities or work, or a drop in grades or work performance.

-- •Physical health issues — lack of energy and motivation, weight loss or gain, or red eyes.

-- •Neglected appearance — lack of interest in clothing, grooming or looks.

-- •Changes in behavior — exaggerated efforts to bar family members from entering his or her room or being secretive about where he or she goes with friends; or drastic changes in behavior and in relationships with family and friends.

-- •Money issues — sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation or your discovery that money is missing or has been stolen or that items have disappeared from your home, indicating maybe they're being sold to support drug use.

Marijuana, hashish and other cannabis-containing substances: People use cannabis by smoking, eating or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried. Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

-- •A sense of euphoria or feeling "high"

-- •A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception

-- •Increased blood pressure and heart rate

-- •Red eyes

-- •Dry mouth

-- •Decreased coordination

-- •Difficulty concentrating or remembering

-- •Slowed reaction time

-- •Anxiety or paranoid thinking

-- •Cannabis odor on clothes or yellow fingertips

-- •Exaggerated cravings for certain foods at unusual times Long-term (chronic) use is often associated with:

-- •Decreased mental sharpness

-- •Poor performance at school or at work

-- •Reduced number of friends and interests.

K2, Spice and bath salts: Two groups of synthetic drugs synthetic cannabinoids and substituted or synthetic cathinones — are illegal in most states. The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as there is no quality control and some ingredients may not be known. Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than "natural" or harmless products. These drugs can produce a "high" similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative. Signs and symptoms of recent use can include: •A sense of euphoria or feeling "high" •Elevated mood •An altered sense of visual, auditory and taste perception •Extreme anxiety or agitation Paranoia Hallucinations, Increased heart rate and blood pressure or heart attack Vomiting Confusion.

Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics: Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics are prescription central nervous system depressants. They're often used and misused in search for a sense of relaxation or a desire to "switch off" or forget stress-related thoughts or feelings. Meth, cocaine and other stimulants: Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others) and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR, others). They are often used and misused in search of a "high," or to boost energy, to improve performance at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite. Club drugs: Club drugs are commonly used at clubs, concerts and parties. Examples include ecstasy or molly (MDMA), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol ― a brand used outside the U.S. ― also called roofie) and ketamine. These drugs are not all in the same category, but they share some similar effects and dangers, including long-term harmful effects. Because GHB and flunitrazepam can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion and memory loss, the potential for sexual misconduct or sexual assault is associated with the use of these drugs.

PREVENTIONS & Staging an intervention: People struggling with addiction usually deny that their drug use is problematic and are reluctant to seek treatment. An intervention presents a loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse and can motivate someone to seek or accept help. An intervention should be carefully planned and may be done by family and friends in consultation with a doctor or professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or directed by an intervention professional. It involves family and friends and sometimes co-workers, clergy or others who care about the person struggling with addiction. During the intervention, these people gather together to have a direct, heart-to-heart conversation with the person about the consequences of addiction and ask him or her to accept treatment.

PREVENTION from These Risk factors: People of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. Certain factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction:

-- •Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition. If you have a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with alcohol or drug addiction, you're at greater risk of developing a drug addiction.

-- •Mental health disorder. If you have a mental health disorder such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or post-traumatic stress disorder, you're more likely to become addicted to drugs. Using drugs can become a way of coping with painful feelings, such as anxiety, depression and loneliness, and can make these problems even worse.

-- •Peer pressure. Peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and misuse drugs, particularly for young people.

-- •Lack of family involvement. Difficult family situations or lack of a bond with your parents or siblings may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack of parental supervision.

-- •Early use. Using drugs at an early age can cause changes in the developing brain and increase the likelihood of progressing to drug addiction.

-- •Taking a highly addictive drug. Some drugs, such as stimulants, cocaine or opioid painkillers, may result in faster development of addiction than other drugs. Smoking or injecting drugs can increase the potential for addiction. Taking drugs considered less addicting so-called "light drugs" can start you on a pathway of drug use and addiction.

PREVENTION AT ITS BEST: The best way to prevent an addiction to a drug is not to take the drug at all. If your doctor prescribes a drug with the potential for addiction, use care when taking the drug and follow the instructions provided by your doctor. Doctors should prescribe these medications at safe doses and amounts and monitor their use so that you're not given too great a dose or for too long a time. If you feel you need to take more than the prescribed dose of a medication, talk to your doctor. Preventing drug misuse in children and teenagers Take these steps to help prevent drug misuse in your children and teenagers:

-- •Communicate. Talk to your children about the risks of drug use and misuse.

-- •Listen. Be a good listener when your children talk about peer pressure, and be supportive of their efforts to resist it.

-- •Set a good example. Don't misuse alcohol or addictive drugs. Children of parents who misuse drugs are at greater risk of drug addiction.

-- •Strengthen the bond. Work on your relationship with your children. A strong, stable bond between you and your child will reduce your child's risk of using or misusing drugs.

Preventing a relapse: Once you've been addicted to a drug, you're at high risk of falling back into a pattern of addiction. If you do start using the drug, it's likely you'll lose control over its use again even if you've had treatment and you haven't used the drug for some time.

-- •Stick with your treatment plan. Monitor your cravings. It may seem like you've recovered and you don't need to keep taking steps to stay drug-free. But your chances of staying drug-free will be much higher if you continue seeing your therapist or counselor going to support group meetings and taking prescribed medication.

-- •Avoid high-risk situations. Don't go back to the neighborhood where you used to get your drugs. And stay away from your old drug crowd.

-- •Get help immediately if you use the drug again. If you start using the drug again, talk to your doctor, your mental health professional or someone else who can help you right away.

All above Preventions could Help to save someones lives and It has Proven in the Past. Some Drug Adicts Goes to Rehabilitation Centres and after their Will Power, Family and Others Helps they overcome their Drug Use Habit and Free from that Filthy Deadly Habit. Nothing is Impossible if One Decide to do it with Strong Will. Regards

Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you're addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication. The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.

You may need help from your doctor, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program to overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.

Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members: Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or angst from signs of drug use. Possible indications that your teenager or other family member is using drugs include:

-- •Problems at school or work — frequently missing school or work, a sudden disinterest in school activities or work, or a drop in grades or work performance.

-- •Physical health issues — lack of energy and motivation, weight loss or gain, or red eyes.

-- •Neglected appearance — lack of interest in clothing, grooming or looks.

-- •Changes in behavior — exaggerated efforts to bar family members from entering his or her room or being secretive about where he or she goes with friends; or drastic changes in behavior and in relationships with family and friends.

-- •Money issues — sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation or your discovery that money is missing or has been stolen or that items have disappeared from your home, indicating maybe they're being sold to support drug use.

Marijuana, hashish and other cannabis-containing substances: People use cannabis by smoking, eating or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried. Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

-- •A sense of euphoria or feeling "high"

-- •A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception

-- •Increased blood pressure and heart rate

-- •Red eyes

-- •Dry mouth

-- •Decreased coordination

-- •Difficulty concentrating or remembering

-- •Slowed reaction time

-- •Anxiety or paranoid thinking

-- •Cannabis odor on clothes or yellow fingertips

-- •Exaggerated cravings for certain foods at unusual times Long-term (chronic) use is often associated with:

-- •Decreased mental sharpness

-- •Poor performance at school or at work

-- •Reduced number of friends and interests.

K2, Spice and bath salts: Two groups of synthetic drugs synthetic cannabinoids and substituted or synthetic cathinones — are illegal in most states. The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as there is no quality control and some ingredients may not be known. Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than "natural" or harmless products. These drugs can produce a "high" similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative. Signs and symptoms of recent use can include: •A sense of euphoria or feeling "high" •Elevated mood •An altered sense of visual, auditory and taste perception •Extreme anxiety or agitation Paranoia Hallucinations, Increased heart rate and blood pressure or heart attack Vomiting Confusion.

Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics: Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics are prescription central nervous system depressants. They're often used and misused in search for a sense of relaxation or a desire to "switch off" or forget stress-related thoughts or feelings. Meth, cocaine and other stimulants: Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others) and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR, others). They are often used and misused in search of a "high," or to boost energy, to improve performance at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite. Club drugs: Club drugs are commonly used at clubs, concerts and parties. Examples include ecstasy or molly (MDMA), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol ― a brand used outside the U.S. ― also called roofie) and ketamine. These drugs are not all in the same category, but they share some similar effects and dangers, including long-term harmful effects. Because GHB and flunitrazepam can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion and memory loss, the potential for sexual misconduct or sexual assault is associated with the use of these drugs.

PREVENTIONS & Staging an intervention: People struggling with addiction usually deny that their drug use is problematic and are reluctant to seek treatment. An intervention presents a loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse and can motivate someone to seek or accept help. An intervention should be carefully planned and may be done by family and friends in consultation with a doctor or professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or directed by an intervention professional. It involves family and friends and sometimes co-workers, clergy or others who care about the person struggling with addiction. During the intervention, these people gather together to have a direct, heart-to-heart conversation with the person about the consequences of addiction and ask him or her to accept treatment.

PREVENTION from These Risk factors: People of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. Certain factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction:

-- •Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition. If you have a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with alcohol or drug addiction, you're at greater risk of developing a drug addiction.

-- •Mental health disorder. If you have a mental health disorder such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or post-traumatic stress disorder, you're more likely to become addicted to drugs. Using drugs can become a way of coping with painful feelings, such as anxiety, depression and loneliness, and can make these problems even worse.

-- •Peer pressure. Peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and misuse drugs, particularly for young people.

-- •Lack of family involvement. Difficult family situations or lack of a bond with your parents or siblings may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack of parental supervision.

-- •Early use. Using drugs at an early age can cause changes in the developing brain and increase the likelihood of progressing to drug addiction.

-- •Taking a highly addictive drug. Some drugs, such as stimulants, cocaine or opioid painkillers, may result in faster development of addiction than other drugs. Smoking or injecting drugs can increase the potential for addiction. Taking drugs considered less addicting so-called "light drugs" can start you on a pathway of drug use and addiction.

PREVENTION AT ITS BEST: The best way to prevent an addiction to a drug is not to take the drug at all. If your doctor prescribes a drug with the potential for addiction, use care when taking the drug and follow the instructions provided by your doctor. Doctors should prescribe these medications at safe doses and amounts and monitor their use so that you're not given too great a dose or for too long a time. If you feel you need to take more than the prescribed dose of a medication, talk to your doctor. Preventing drug misuse in children and teenagers Take these steps to help prevent drug misuse in your children and teenagers:

-- •Communicate. Talk to your children about the risks of drug use and misuse.

-- •Listen. Be a good listener when your children talk about peer pressure, and be supportive of their efforts to resist it.

-- •Set a good example. Don't misuse alcohol or addictive drugs. Children of parents who misuse drugs are at greater risk of drug addiction.

-- •Strengthen the bond. Work on your relationship with your children. A strong, stable bond between you and your child will reduce your child's risk of using or misusing drugs.

Preventing a relapse: Once you've been addicted to a drug, you're at high risk of falling back into a pattern of addiction. If you do start using the drug, it's likely you'll lose control over its use again even if you've had treatment and you haven't used the drug for some time.

-- •Stick with your treatment plan. Monitor your cravings. It may seem like you've recovered and you don't need to keep taking steps to stay drug-free. But your chances of staying drug-free will be much higher if you continue seeing your therapist or counselor going to support group meetings and taking prescribed medication.

-- •Avoid high-risk situations. Don't go back to the neighborhood where you used to get your drugs. And stay away from your old drug crowd.

-- •Get help immediately if you use the drug again. If you start using the drug again, talk to your doctor, your mental health professional or someone else who can help you right away.

All above Preventions could Help to save someones lives and It has Proven in the Past. Some Drug Adicts Goes to Rehabilitation Centres and after their Will Power, Family and Others Helps they overcome their Drug Use Habit and Free from that Filthy Deadly Habit. Nothing is Impossible if One Decide to do it with Strong Will. Regards

Wow! That is such a long answer. I am thankful to you Ahsan Siddiqui for your wordy answer.

Regards,

Dear Sahar,

I am in complete agreement with extensive scientific explanation of specialist colleague Dr. Ahsan Siddiqui.

Greetings,

Naseer Almukhtar

Thank you Naseer Almukhtar Sir. :)

Best regards,

SQ