Drugs are easily available and, in many situations, socially endorsed. Using a drug to fit in, to help cope with feelings or to avoid negative feelings is a recipe for trouble. If a person fails to learn how to cope with emotions without the use of drugs then a psychological dependence becomes increasingly likely.
Most people who are addicted or dependent on drugs started off using 'socially', which developed into regular use, became dependence and then addiction. They usually started with a drug that was perceived as harmless, that 'everyone uses', such as cannabis or Skunk. Graduation from these kinds of drugs to Class A drugs is an easy step, and before long a person can find themselves out of control. Drug addiction is a pernicious form of the addictive condition, because once someone is addicted, drugs are the priority in that person's life, to the exclusion of everything else.
There is an adrenalin rush associated with scoring drugs, the high produced by using, and an emotional and physiological 'crash' after using. The more tolerance a person has to drugs, the more they will have to use to experience the same effects; after a while, the effect will elude them, and they will use predominantly or purely to avoid withdrawal.
Drug users often feel deeply ashamed of their drug dependence and will cover up and deny how bad it has become, in order to protect themselves and their addiction. They will even convince themselves that things are not as bad as they are. When someone is addicted they are not thinking straight and will often react in an extreme and emotional way. Using drugs limits the emotional range so that eventually a person will only experience feelings such as anxiety, paranoia, anger, depression, self pity.
Drug addiction has many negative consequences ranging from poor health, depression, gnawing anxiety and paranoia to physical problems such as respiratory difficulties, physical injury, organ damage and accidental death or suicide. Most addicts start their using in a social environment and end up using alone.
The addict is extremely manipulative and will get what they want by any means, but often overlook what they need. They are also driven by fear and suffer from very low self-esteem. If you are someone who cares for an addict you may feel as if you can do nothing right, feel lost and have no idea how to help. You will instinctively disbelieve the addict but feel threatened that they will hurt themselves if you offend them in any way – addicts take hostages. Learning how to be appropriately boundaried around an addict is one of the best ways to get an addict who doesn't want help into treatment – (see Intervention). As with other addictive behaviours, drug addiction is about the person rather than the drug. Drugs are chemicals that have an impact and the significance of this dimension cannot be ignored, though usually physical dependence is the easiest part to overcome – it is the psychological dependence that is difficult to give up.
Recovery is possible. The first step is to get the addict free of substances so that it is possible to reach the person and start to work on their coping mechanisms which will be poorly developed as they have used drugs to do the job. Most addicts are reluctant to give up completely as they are terrified of being vulnerable. However, step by step, many people have achieved chemical abstinence and live a happy and fulfilled life.
Signs that you may be a drug addict or dependent include:
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Feelings such as extreme anxiety, paranoia, depression, anger and self pity
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Relationship difficulties with friends or partner, rowing, feelings of being misunderstood and alone as a result of using
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Getting into risky situations or having risky sex while high or in order to score
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Taking more drugs than you had planned, not being able to stop or taking them despite having decided to stop or take a break – physical compulsion
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Thinking about when you can next use – mental obsession
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Having to take more to achieve the same effect or using to avoid withdrawal – tolerance
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Your life revolves around drugs, and you have lost your other interests in life
If you are worried about someone you love, here are some signs to look out for:
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Sudden changes in behaviour or mood
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Violent mood swings, extreme behaviour (hyper or depressed, lethargic, paranoid)
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Sudden need for money, will possibly steal it from you or elsewhere
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Bloodshot eyes or pupils that are larger or smaller than usual
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Significant loss of appetite or craving for sweet things
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Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
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Deterioration of physical appearance, lack of self care
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Unusual smells on breath, body or clothing
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Slurred speech or impaired coordination
Legal and illegal substances fall into categories of 'uppers', 'downers' and 'hallucinagens' and include Heroin, Cocaine, Crack, Speed, Crystal Meth, MDMA, Ecstasy, Magic Mushrooms, LSD, Khat, Ketamine, Mephodrone, Cannabis, Skunk, Tranquillisers and prescription drugs; most addicts will mix their drug use to manage their high.
Skunk is an extremely potent and underestimated drug that is widespread and is known to cause a particular psychosis of its own.