Addiction: Addiction is possible whenever ingesting a substance causes the basic pleasure and reward circuits in the brain to activate. Addiction is an illness that requires treatment, because people with addictions cannot stop on their own. Symptoms of addiction include a person's inability to stop using the substance, devoting a lot of time and effort toward obtaining, using, and recovering from the substance's effects, discontinuing important social, employment, and recreational activities due to preoccupation with the substance, developing tolerance for the substance, and developing withdrawal symptoms.
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Alcohol Intoxication
Alcohol intoxication is defined as when the quantity of alcohol the person consumes produces behavioral or physical abnormalities. Alcohol is the generic term for ethanol. A person who is intoxicated with alcohol they may have euphoria, poor coordination and movement, poor judgment, memory loss, slurred speech, confusion, and even coma and death if the person consumed enough alcohol. Gender, coexisiting medical conditions, and medications may have an effect on the level of alcohol intoxication a person experiences. -
Alcoholism
Alcohol problems vary in severity from mild to life-threatening and affect the individual, the person's family, and society in numerous adverse ways. Signs of a drinking problem include insomnia, loss of employment, blackouts, depression, auto accidents, bruises, frequent falls, and anxiety. Treatment involves stabilization, detoxification, and rehabilitation of the alcohol-dependent person. -
Barbiturate Abuse
Barbiturates are a group of drugs in the class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics, which generally describes their sleep-inducing and anxiety-decreasing effects. -
Club Drugs
A wave of new drugs has become increasingly popular with today's adolescents and young adults. These drugs are commonly known as club drugs. Common club drugs include Ecstasy, amphetamines, PCP, ketamine, and inhalants. -
Cocaine Abuse
Cocaine is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the U.S. Symptoms of cocaine abuse include dilated pupils, recurrent nosebleeds, and hallucinations. Medical professionals diagnose cocaine abuse by looking for signs and symptoms such as cocaine-induced headaches and cocaine-induced seizures; psychiatric complications like anxiety, hallucinations, and psychoses; nasal and throat complications like nosebleed and perforated nasal septum; pulmonary conditions like asthma and pneumonia; cardiovascular complications; and infectious complications. -
Drug Dependence & Abuse
Drug dependence is the physical need for a certain substance. Drug abuse and dependence comprise a huge public health problem with no easy treatment available. -
Narcotic Abuse
Narcotic abuse is when people use narcotics for reasons apart from the narcotic's pain-relief purpose. Signs and symptoms of narcotic abuse include euphoria, shallow breathing, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, confusion, and needle marks on the skin. Treatment involves addressing the long-term psychological dependence associated with narcotic abuse and administering medications such as buprenorphine, clonidine, and naltrexone to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. -
Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of death and illness among Americans. Effects of smoking can cause cancers, emphysema, bronchitis, COPD, chronic cough, and more. Smoking cessation includes nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral therapy. -
Substance Abuse
People abuse substances such as drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for varied and complicated reasons, but it is clear that our society pays a significant cost. Symptoms and signs of substance abuse include forgetfulness, frequent hangovers, having blackouts, and getting into trouble with the law. Treatment typically involves counseling and prescription medications to control withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.
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Smoking (Cigarette) Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of death and illness among Americans. Effects of smoking can cause cancers, emphysema, bronchitis, COPD, chronic cough, and more. Smoking cessation includes nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral therapy.
Expert Views and News
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- Video Game Playing Alters the Brain?
- As Economy Goes Down, Drinking Goes Up
- Drinking Is on the Rise Among U.S. Women
- Genes Play Role in How Alcohol Affects Men and Women
- Teens: 50% Smoke, Drink Alcohol, or Use Drugs
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- Nicotine-Free 'Fake' Cigarettes May Help Smokers Quit
- Charlie Sheen Substance Abuse: FAQ
Addiction Topic Guide - Visuals
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Addiction Topic Guide – Related Topics
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