Some habits are hard to quit, and if not looked into properly, they can lead to severe addiction. By definition, an addiction is any action that usually harms the person partaking in it. One of the most common forms of addiction is drugs. That can be as little as smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol (considered legal and fairly common among adults).
On the other hand, addiction can also involve something as major as cocaine, methamphetamine, or LSD. They are life-threatening and can lead to mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. This article sheds some light on some of the most dangerous drug addictions that are harder than ever to quit.
1. Cigarettes and Nicotine
Smoking cigarettes is probably the most common (due to its easy availability and legal nature) and deadly form of drug abuse. It is common to see smoking as a stress reliever from academic pressure in age groups between teens and young adults. Studies have shown that about 90% of adult daily smokers start at ages as early as 18! In its most basic form, a cigarette is a rolled-up piece of paper stuffed with raw tobacco, complete with a safety filter on one end. The other end is then lit up, and the cigarette is inhaled until all that’s left is the filter. There are many dangerous toxins found in raw tobacco. These include ammonia and lead, which settle and damage the lung tissue.
Over time, repeated cigarettes can cause severe conditions such as lung cancer and breathing disorders. When it comes to quitting, things get tricky because of a certain chemical called Nicotine found in tobacco. This specific chemical is why most smokers feel a certain pleasure and extreme dopamine levels through every inhale. In the case of severe cigarette addiction, detox is one’s best bet to be clear of the problem. Trusting a good center and trusted service like Delphi Health Group is key to quick recovery with little to no side effects. Experts at Delphi will help you identify the problem, formulate a specific treatment plan and help you stay clear of your lethal dependency.
2. Alcohol
Just like cigarettes, alcohol is another common and extremely dangerous addiction. Since it is also easily available and consumed by a large portion of society everywhere, alcohol addiction is also extremely difficult to overcome. Most people use alcohol as a coping mechanism to their traumas and depression. In simple terms, the person can elevate their mood by simply letting alcohol take over.
Excessive abuse of this drug causes a binge or unhealthy dependency on any social activity. When one is drunk, there is a loss of brain function as the nervous system is suppressed which causes cases of accidents like drunk driving and overdoses. Serious problems such as unstable heart rates, high blood pressure, and increased body temperature can result from the nervous system being depressed by alcohol. Too much consumption can cause liver damage and conditions such as alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis in the long run.
3. Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Heroin
These kinds of drugs are more serious. Since they’re difficult to obtain, their effects are far more severe when compared to normal drugs. They are also the kinds of drugs that can cause a lifetime’s worth of addiction and require heavy therapy to treat. For many people cocaine, heroin is the next step after smoking and drinking. These drugs serve an extreme form of pleasure due to the high levels of dopamine they release.
To make matters worse, once the dopamine high wears off, the abuser is left needing more and feeling completely crushed. They may even reach points of extreme fatigue and mental drainage. The most addictive of these three is heroin (injected into the body). Upon injection, the person is put into a mindless state where euphoria takes over, and the person feels “free.” Some people have described heroin as being able to imagine that they can fly! Withdrawal symptoms can last up to 12 hours.
Conclusion
Prevention at an early age is always better than finding cures and solutions later. Teens should be severely kept in check by parents and teachers through counseling for any smoking or drinking before the legal age.
Seminars should be conducted highlighting the health problems related to drug abuse. And healthier alternatives such as nicotine patches and e-cigarettes should be provided to lower health concerns. Strict action like jail time should be taken against anyone who uses harsh drugs to set an example for everyone else. Drug abuse is an issue that requires everyone’s involvement to treat. With the right steps taken by the individual, their loved ones, and the government, anyone can stay clear of this problem.