Drug Addiction Facts

In 2006, an estimated 20.4 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. This estimate represents 8.3 percent of the population aged 12 years old or older. Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically.
What is drug addiction? Addicts crave more and more drug, as they are captivated by its effects. The structure and function of the brain are changed with repeated use, and over time the act of using drugs is no longer voluntary and no longer for pleasure. Addicts self-medicate to feel âgoodâ or feel ânormalâ They experience intense craving for the drug and even after treatment, relapse is possible
Hallucinogens were used in the past month by 1.0 million persons aged 12 or older in 2006, including 528,000 who had used Ecstasy. These estimates are similar to the corresponding estimates for 2005.
Long-term marijuana use leads to addiction in some people. That is, they cannot control their urges to seek out and use marijuana, even though it negatively affects their family relationships, job performance, and recreational activities. In addition, some frequent, heavy marijuana users develop âtoleranceâ to its effects. This means they need larger and larger amounts of marijuana to get the same desired effects as they used to get from smaller amounts.
There were 7.0 million persons aged 12 or older who used prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs non-medically in the past month. Of these, 5.2 million used pain relievers, an increase from 4.7 million in 2005.
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Florida Drug Addiction and Drug Addiction Treatment

Drug addiction in Florida is a pattern of repeated drug taking that usually results in tolerance (the need for greater amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect), withdrawal (physical and cognitive effects when drug use declines or stops), and compulsive drug taking behavior (drug taking that persists despite efforts to reduce intake and despite problems with family, friends, and work). Addiction encompasses a diverse range of drugs (such as alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, and cocaine) and is caused by many different factors.

When it comes to the causes of addiction in Florida, it is not likely that anyone begins using a drug with the intention of becoming addicted. Experimentation and curiosity are the first factors that draw many to even try drugs. They want to feel that "high", the sense of euphoria that comes with drug use. Additionally, drug addiction often results in painful withdrawal symptoms when drug use is stopped suddenly. This frequently provides drug users with another reason to continue their destructive drug behavior. The medical causes of addiction in Florida are not fully understood. Researchers can only state with assurance that the repeated use of addictive drugs can bring about dramatic changes in both the structure and the function of the brain in destructive ways that can result in compulsive drug use.

Another one of the causes of drug addiction is the effect of drugs on the user. By stimulating the internal reward system in the user's brain, drugs and alcohol make the addict crave the drug to again stimulate this reward center. These cravings lead the addict to stop focusing on those things that used to be important, and begin focusing on another dose of their drug or alcohol.

Lastly, easy accessibility to drugs in Florida and new, lower prices are other causes of addiction. Drugs can be found anywhere if a person simply asks. Street corners and alleyways are no longer the only place to find drugs. Schools, workplaces, and even the family next door might be new places to find drugs. With more drugs being produced, the price has also been driven down.

In Florida, drug addiction is a problem which affects people of all income levels, ages, and stations in life. Quite often the last person to see that there is a problem is the addict. Families try to help their loved ones to no avail. Companies have a difficult choice when faced with an once valuable employee or executive who has, due to some turn in life, developed a drug abuse problem - to help them or to fire them.

When this is the case it is important to talk to the individual about their drug use and see if they are ready to quit using drugs. For those who are not, the family, friends, or colleagues can perform what is known as an intervention. This may help the addict to see how much their drug use has hurt their friends and family. There are a number of Alcohol Treatment and Drug Rehab Centers for drug addiction in Florida. Different experts advocate different Drug Rehabilitation and Alcohol Rehab Centers. Some advocate drug-assisted therapies, while others advocate drug-free therapies. Which Drug Treatment and Alcohol Rehab Program is right for a particular person is a subjective determination. Before choosing an Alcohol Rehabilitation and Drug Rehab Program in Florida, you should always investigate the methods used by the Alcohol Rehabilitation and Drug Rehab Facility and the philosophies behind those methods.

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