NOT everyone is in danger of becoming drug-dependent. But it cuts across all boundaries. You certainly don’t have to be a poor urban youth to become hooked on drugs, says Joan Mathews Larson, Ph.D. director of the Health Recovery Center in Minneapolis.
Drug use exacts a brutal toll. You could lose your money, your job, your friends, your spouse and your dignity. You could ravage your body by not eating or by eating in giant binges, by forsaking exercise or by letting your hygiene go. You could lose mental capacity and you could even die. It doesn’t have to be that way. But unless a person takes action, he will likely continue to deteriorate. People dependent on drugs can fall an awfully long way.
Why do people become drug-dependent, despite the risks? Because drugs make them feel good–at least at first. Drugs fill a need in a person’s life. Heroin, for instance can help a person deal with his natural anxiety. The relief, however, is always short-lived. Over time, drug use interferes with production of endorphins, your body’s natural “feel good” chemicals. That means you have to use more drugs to make up the difference. It becomes a cycle where you crave the drug more and more and eventually become dependent on its use. We’re not just talking about cocaine, marijuana, heroin and shabu and other illegal drugs. Doctors and researchers have identified scores of over-the-counter and prescription drugs that can cause dependence, including cough syrups, anabolic steroids and anti-anxiety drugs in the benzodiazepine family, such as diazepam (valium).
While anyone can become dependent on drugs, heredity can play a big role. Drug dependence, like alcoholism, can run in families, says Dr. Larson. Unfortunately, we can’t test for it. But if you know of alcoholics or drug-dependent people in your family, you have to be extra careful. Alcohol abuse also increases your chances of becoming dependent on drugs. We’ve all heard about how alcohol is a “gateway drug”, opening the door to further drug abuse. The most important thing to remember about drug dependency is that it can happen to anyone, says Dr. Larson. No one sets out to become hooked on drugs. But for a variety of reasons, many of them beyond a person’s control, it just happens. And then you have to deal with it.
Stopping before you start
The best way to beat drug dependency is to avoid it in the first place. To help stay out of trouble, consider these tips:
Know the warning signs. When thoughts of a drug fill your mind, you have a problem, says Dr. Larson. If you feel like you can’t relax, be happy, get to sleep or do anything at all without first using a drug. It’s probably time to seek help. Other signs of trouble include lying to your doctor to refill a prescription, missing work because of drug binges or hangovers, raiding your savings to pay for drugs and consistently forsaking food, friendship or family to get high.
Shake your family tree. Look for signs of drug abuse in your family, because it may indicate that you’re more prone to dependency. Include alcoholism in your search. If you find signs of it in your family, be extra careful. Don’t ever experiment with drugs because it may take only once for you to get hooked.
Resolve conflicts. People use drugs to avoid dealing with problems such as anxiety, boredom, depression, frustration, bad relationships, pressure at work and unemployment. Meet these problems head-on. Drinking or taking drugs to avoid them isn’t going to solve anything. It’s just going to add another layer which is drug dependency. Whatever you do, don’t turn to drugs for temporary comfort, no matter how appealing they sound.
Stick to the label. If your doctor gives you prescription drugs, particularly painkillers and tranquilizers, use them exactly the way you’re told to. And never try to have them refilled unless the doctor says so. Prescription drugs don’t act differently in your body than illegal drugs, says Dr. Lewemberg. In some ways they’re more dangerous because they’re available and legal.
Just say “no.” Avoid illegal drugs. Because for some people, “recreational” drug use can quickly lead to dependency. You can’t become addicted to illegal drugs unless you use them. Nowadays, a lot of young bodybuilders are using steroids to enhance their muscle growth. This practice is very dangerous to one’s health especially without the doctor’s prescription. It can damage your kidneys, liver and heart. It can kill you.
When you need help
If you think you may already have developed a drug dependency, experts offer this advice.
Ask for help. Don’t be ashamed. Tell a trusted friend. Tell your spouse. The sooner it’s out in the open, the sooner you’ll start dealing with it in a constructive way. You don’t need to broadcast your problem to the world. But if there’s even one person out there who knows and cares, you’ll get the support you need to get back on the right track. Seek spiritual counseling. Find strength in numbers.
Find people with similar problems and hopes who can help you make it through the inevitable rough spots to recovery.
Exercise in moderation. If you’ve been abusing drugs, you’ve been abusing your body, too. You may not have gotten any exercise for months, a factor that may only heighten depression or anxiety. So start working out. Begin with moderate exercise; walking for about 20 minutes a day, at least three times a week, is best. Heavy exercise isn’t a good idea at first. You’re probably not in peak shape right now and could easily be injured or discouraged. And it’s possible to become addicted to exercise too, since it stimulates endorphin production. But the idea is to bring your body back to normal slowly.
Eat right. Drugs can do some strange things to your appetite. People dependent on marijuana, for instance, are prone to overeating and obesity. Drug abuse can lead to malnutrition and even eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. When you’re dependent on drugs, eating well is rarely a priority. Try to eat a balanced diet, whether you feel like eating or not. Replace sweets with fruits and vegetables. Feeding your body and brain what it needs is a very necessary first step to recovery.
