Education & Awareness

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, "Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain—they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long-lasting, and can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs."

Medical images showing the differences between a healthy brain and heart as compared to the diseased brain and heart of a cocaine abuser. Decreased metabolism is seen in the images of the drug abuser’s organs.

Source of Image: NIDA from the Laboratories of Doctors N. Volkow and H. Schelbert. To learn more click here.

Symptoms of Substance Use Dependency

According to Mayo Clinic, the following are signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol dependency.

Drug dependency symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug
Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. Signs and symptoms may include:

Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so
Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use
Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol
Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use
Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing physical, social or interpersonal problems
Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies
Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming
Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when you don't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms

Do a quick self check

Self scoring test to assess alcohol dependency: American Addiction Centers

Other Tools for dependencies: National Institute on Drug Abuse

If you feel you may be struggling with substance use dependency, you are not alone. We are here to help. Click here to learn how you can get help now. If you would like to talk to someone that may have a similar experience and that is in recovery, call 989-732-1791 to be matched up with a compassionate and supportive Peer Recovery Coach through the NMSAS Recovery Center. They can help guide you through the process and help you start working towards a lifestyle of recovery that is unique to you. You can also go to YOUPICKRECOVERY.ORG to find a meeting that is right for you and start building your recovery support team.

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Addiction is a disease. We should treat it like one. - Michael Botticelli. Watch TED Talk