PART 5: Cycle Of Addiction

Cycle of Addiction: Many drugs, if taken often enough, can lead to addiction or physical dependence Addiction often follows a pattern or cycle…

The Cycle of Addiction Has Three Parts: 1. TOLERANCE: 3. WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: 2. ADDICTION: (Physical Dependence)

The path to addiction:

1. TOLERANCE: Your body becomes used to the effects of a drug.

1. TOLERANCE: After repeated doses, it takes more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect.

2. ADDICTION: Your body and mind will not function normally unless the drug is taken.

2. ADDICTION: Without the drug, the user will suffer painful withdrawal symptoms

3. WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: Physical and mental reactions which occur when an addict does not take the drug

3. WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: May include nausea, vomiting, trembling, seizures, headaches, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, and even death Drugs that cause these withdrawal symptoms cause physical dependency.

Psychological Dependence: In addition to being hooked physically, many users get addicted mentally and emotionally, too

Psychological Dependence: This makes it even more difficult to quit using drugs The user must break both the physical and psychological addiction!

Psychological Dependence: Is a person’s mental or emotional need for the drug. Withdrawal symptoms of psychological dependent drugs are depression, nervousness, sleeplessness, and irritability.

Most young people don’t fully understand this when they start drinking, smoking, or using other drugs They think: “I can quit any time I want!” CAN THEY?

How can you tell if you are developing a problem? If you know someone who you think has a problem you should have them take the T.W.E.A.K. test on the next slide.

Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program The T.W.E.A.K. Test ­T (tolerance) ­T (tolerance) “How many drinks / how many pills / how many hits can you hold?” A lot? ­W (worried) ­W (worried) “Have close friends or relatives worried or complained about your drinking/drugging in the past year?” ­E (eye opener) ­E (eye opener) “Do you sometimes take drugs or a drink in the morning when you first get up?” ­A (amnesia) ­A (amnesia) “Has a friend or family member ever told you about things you said or did while drinking or drugging that you could not remember?” ­K (cut down) ­K (cut down) “Do you sometimes feel the need to cut down on your drinking and drugging?”  3 risky drug/alcohol use