Research In Drug Dependence
The National Institute on
Drug Abuse estimates 22.7 million Americans need help treating a drug or alcohol problem. In some cases, people may take a prescription medication for pain or another medical condition. This kind of use can sometimes develop into a substance use disorder.
The following are known triggers for substance use disorders:
· having a family
history of addiction
· living in an
environment where illegal
drugs are often used and easy to access
· having a
history of anxiety
· having a
history of depression
· having a
history of other mental
health conditions
Drug users typically pass through certain stages on the way to drug dependence. One way that healthcare providers describe these stages is with the Jellinek Curve. The curve tracks typical stages experienced through occasional use, dependence, disorder, and rehabilitation.
These stages include:
You use
drugs for recreation. You take them infrequently and in social settings.
You start using
drugs on a regular basis, often abandoning family and friends in favor of drug use. You become concerned about losing access to drugs.
You become addicted to
drugs as you become more tolerant to their effects and preoccupied with getting them. You may abandon most or all your previous interests and relationships.
You become dependent on
drugs and unable to live without them. Your physical and mental
health deteriorates.
High Impact List of Articles
Relevant Topics in Clinical