The word addiction refers to getting addicted to the consumption of any kind of drug. The need for consuming the drug can be both psychological and physical. The drugs that people generally get addicted to include alcohol, cigarettes, ecstasy, heroin, cannabis and cocaine. The user after taking another dose of these drugs feels physically or psychologically better. This induces the user to keep on consuming these drugs. Consumption of these drugs for a long time results into addiction.

Earlier the term addiction was associated with the consumption of those drugs that were given to patients to make them tolerant. Continuous use of the drugs resulted into an addiction among the patients. From this it has been concluded that human beings can easily get addicted to certain drugs if it is taken for prolonged period.

Causes of Drug Addiction

Researches are being carried on to find out the real cause of addiction. However, some researches say that our genes are responsible for the causes of addiction. Researches show that there are some genes that make a person prone towards addiction. The receptor gene dopamine D2 is present in people who have an addiction of cocaine or alcohol. This gene results in compulsive behavior and sensation seeking in those people having this gene. Apart from this another gene responsible for addiction is the ANKK1 gene. The DeltaFosB gene which is responsible for transcription factor causes certain changes in a person’s brain. These changes make a person sensitive to certain drugs and results in addiction. The gene that is nicotine receptor makes a person addicted towards smoking. This gene also prevents a person from giving up smoking.

Signs of drug addiction

There are different symptoms of addiction. One such symptom includes an irresistible wish to consume the particular drug or the particular substance. Sometimes the addiction is so grave that it can affect the normal life of the person. For such users consuming the drug is the topmost priority in their life. The different symptoms of addiction also depend on the nature of the drugs consumed. These drugs however, if consumed for prolonged period can cause severe damage to a person’s body. Stopping the consumption of these drugs can result inn agitation, nausea, anxiety in a person.

Addiction Treatment

Treating addiction is not easy. A person gets addicted to a particular drug due to prolong consumption. Sudden stop of the consumption of the drug can result in grave problems. So, treatment should be carried in a slow but steady fashion. Different rehabilitation centers have been created for the treatment of addiction. The methods of treatment depend on the nature of the addiction. Since, addiction is the result of prolonged consumption of certain drugs the treatment involves a proper regime to be followed by the user.

Advices

People addicted to drugs should not suddenly stop consuming it as it may cause some severe problem. People who are addicted to alcohol, opioids or barbiturates will face some physical discomfort if they suddenly stop the consumption. Stoppage of the consumption of alcohol or barbiturates can even lead to death of the user. This happens because prolonged consumption of the drugs makes the person’s body dependent on that chemical. The body stops producing its own natural version of that chemical. Instead the body produces opposing chemicals. If the addictive drug is stopped the effect of the opposing chemical exceeds resulting in grave problem for the user.