Substance abuse comes as a result of recurrent substance use or taking more than the recommended dosage. Substance abuse causes health-related problems and sudden death. Today, World Health Organization (WHO) helps different countries globally treat, monitor, and prevent substance abuse through supporting rehabilitation centers and educational programs.

The most common abused drugs globally include:

Alcohol consumption is not wrong, but it turns into addiction in overconsumption or regular heavy drinking. Moreover, the rate of addiction differs from one person to another. Excess alcohol intake results in withdrawal symptoms like poor heartbeat rate, anxiety, hallucinations, depression, and seizure. It causes stomach, liver, or pancreas cancer and heart problems. Also, it leads to injuries and accidents.

Nicotine

Nicotine chemical is found in tobacco and cigarettes. After consumption, you will experience energy increment and little pleasure. Most people consumed it to enhances their performance, fun, or get rid of depression. Too much consumption leads to withdrawal symptoms like depression, hunger, anxiety, or seizure. It causes health problems such as lung cancer, heart diseases, and peptic ulcers.

Heroin gives you the best feeling that fades away after some time, causing nervousness, drowsiness, or nausea. It leads to withdrawal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, body aches, cramps, and sweating. Too much consumption increases dehydration that negatively impacts the heart, leading to breathing problems resulting in death.

Cocaine boosts the pleasure and alertness that only last for a short period. However, an overdose may cause kidney, heart, lung, and brain problems. The effects depend on the rate of consumption and intake period.

Addicts go through various stages of addictions and develop symptoms and signs depending on each stage. If you understand the stages, it enables you to seek professional assistance as early as possible. The stages include:

Experimentation includes taking drugs voluntarily, mainly due to peer pressure or responding to difficult life experiences. They experience:

• Sleeping disorder

• Ignoring friends and relatives

• Being irresponsible

At the regular stage, they take drugs either weekly or under circumstances when they are bored or lonely. Regular consumption leads to:

• Poor performance at school, work, or home 

• Changes in behavior

• Avoiding non-user friends and develop a friendship with users

An addict will consume regardless of the harmful effects at the dependence stage. In case they don't use the substance, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. It leads to:

• Neglecting responsibilities

• Behavioral changes

• Poor health

• Eating less or more food.

• Overdosing to maintain the altered stage

The addiction stage is so delicate and out of control. The addicts need to seek professional help. 

It leads to:

• Substance cravings

• Irresponsibility

• Having withdrawal symptoms when you have not taken the substance

• Health problems

Consumption of any substance, whether alcohol or drugs, starts from pleasure. Mental, biological, physical, social, and psychological factors are the significant causes of addiction. They begin using drugs due to chronic pains, relationship issues, sleeping disorders, family history, overwhelming memories of events, or peer pressure. According to an addict, the substances help them cope up with the problems.

A huge step that an addict can take is to seek treatment from experts. Albeit substance use has profound effects, they are treatable. The common treatments include cognitive behavior, motivational, person centers, and 12 program therapies. Each therapy depends on the rate and duration of addiction. 

Are you addicted to any substance or have a loved one suffering? In case you are struggling to cut off from substance use or abuse, seeking help from a reputable addiction therapist will help you overcome the situation. Find out more on upscale substance abuse treatment and prevention from professionals.