Healthy Living | 29
ADDRESSING
ADDICTION
IT MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WITH HELP FROM YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR, YOU CAN BREAK FREE OF ADDICTION
AND GO ON TO LIVE A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER LIFE.
n addiction is a disease speed, crank, crystal meth) and you have an addiction before you do
that affects your brain and hallucinogens (also called LSD). because they notice changes in your
Abehavior. Once you start Prescription drugs that can become behavior and personality.
using drugs, tobacco or drinking habit-forming include painkillers
alcohol, the effects they produce and anti-anxiety drugs. Tobacco and HOW TO GET HELP
can make you want to keep using alcohol are also addictive.
them. Over time, this can cause Your addiction to drugs, alcohol or
changes in your brain, creating a ADMITTING THERE’S A PROBLEM tobacco can cause many problems in
powerful urge that controls your your life. Quitting is not easy, but it
behavior. You have an addiction Drug addiction may cause problems is worth it. Below left is a list of fi rst
problem when cravings and use of in many areas of your life, such as steps to breaking your addiction.
a substance change your behavior, your health, money, work or school, Remember, drug addiction is a chronic
or cause problems with your health, or your relationships with family and (long-lasting), relapsing disease. It
your relationships or your work. friends. If you keep craving and using may take a number of attempts before
a drug, you have an addiction. You you can break your harmful habit for
People can become addicted to can still have an addiction even if the good. If you do relapse, it’s important
illegal and prescription drugs. drug or substance you are using is not talk to your doctor about what parts
Some common illegal drugs currently causing any problems with of your plan worked and what parts
include marijuana (also called pot), your health, work or relationships. did not. Then set a new quit date and
methamphetamine (also called Your friends and family may realize keep trying. You can do it!
changes
commit
Once you decide to quit, make plans to follow through. It can
Sometimes, problems caused by addiction
be helpful to write your goals in a journal, and refer back to
may be more obvious to friends and family
those goals often.
members than to the person using a drug.
If you notice any of the following changes
in a loved one’s behavior and suspect
addiction, encourage him or her to talk to a
get help from your family doctor
doctor to get help.
He or she can be a major source of support. Your doctor
can talk to you about withdrawal symptoms often associated
• Trouble paying attention or concentrating
• Forgetfulness
with addictive substances and may be able to prescribe
• Missing work or school
medicine that helps with cravings. You may also fi nd it
• Losing or alienating friends
helpful to talk with your doctor or a counselor about any
• Mood changes
problems in your life relating to your addiction.
• Trouble sleeping
• Paranoia
• A loss of interest in things he/she used to enjoy
get support
Contact a support organization dedicated to helping people
additional information
who have addictions, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and American Academy of Family Physicians
Narcotics Anonymous. Similar “12-step” programs are
www.familydoctor.org
available for many other addictions. They can give you the National Institute on Drug Abuse
tools and support you need to quit and move on with your
www.nida.nih.gov
life. Ask your family and friends for support, too. The more
Al-Anon/Alateen
people you have to lean on, the more successful you will be.
www.al-anon.alateen.org
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