Brain & Addiction

What Is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is a complex brain disease. It is characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable, drug craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences. Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and on behavior. For many people, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods of abstinence. For more information visit http://www.drugabuse.gov/published_articles/myths.html

How Quickly Can I Become Addicted to a Drug?

There is no easy answer to this. If and how quickly you might become addicted to a drug depends on many factors including your genes (which you inherit from your parents) and the biology of your body. All drugs are potentially harmful and may have life-threatening consequences associated with their use. There are also vast differences among individuals in sensitivity to various drugs. While one person may use a drug one or many times and suffer no ill effects, another person may be particularly vulnerable and overdose with first use. There is no way of knowing in advance how someone may react.

How Do I Know if Someone Is Addicted to Drugs?

If a person is compulsively seeking and using a drug despite negative consequences, such as loss of job, debt, physical or mental problems brought on by drug abuse, or family problems, then he or she is probably addicted. We don't have a perfect screening tool quite yet, but health care professionals who screen for drug use often ask questions like these to detect substance abuse in their adolescent patients:

1. Have you ever ridden in a car driven by someone (including yourself) who had been using alcohol or drugs?
   
   
2. Do you ever use alcohol or drugs to relax, feel better about yourself, or fit in?
   
   
3. Do you ever use alcohol or drugs when you are alone?
   
   
4. Do you ever forget things you did while using alcohol or drugs?
   
   
5. Do your family or friends ever tell you to cut down on your drinking or drug use?
   
   
6. Have you ever gotten into trouble while you were using alcohol or drugs?
   
   

What Are the Physical Signs of Abuse or Addiction?

The physical signs of abuse or addiction can vary depending on the person and the drug being abused. In addition, each drug has short-term and long-term physical effects. For example, someone who abuses marijuana may have a chronic cough or worsening of asthmatic conditions. Stimulants like cocaine increase heart rate and blood pressure, whereas opioids like heroin may slow the heart rate and reduce respiration.

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