What comes to mind when you hear the word “drugs?” How much do you know about drugs beyond the headlines? Have you used substances but dismissed the idea of having a problem with drugs? What would your reaction be if you found out someone you cared about had an issue with drugs? People’s knowledge about drugs based on the wrong information until it impacts them directly. Below are some drug facts you should know that could have impacts on your life.
What Are Drugs?
One drug fact you should know is that they come in many forms. People think of substances like cocaine or heroin when using the term. In fact, people abuse many substances that can lead to dependency, with some bringing a higher risk than others. Even legally acquired medications could lead to problems if people don’t stick to the dosage recommendations.
Why Do People Start Using Drugs?
There are a lot of reasons people use drugs. Some are curious about the effects and want to try it for themselves. Others may suffer from emotional trauma or mental disorders and use drugs to self-medicate. There are those try a drug to fit in with their peers and end up developing a severe drug habit.
Some people continue using drugs only in a social setting, referred to as “recreational” users. Others find the need for drugs consumes their life, causing them to place their addiction above anything else that used to be important.
Another drug fact you should know is that continued drug abuse could impact your mental and emotional health over the long-term. Many drugs cause chemical changes in the brain, causing behavioral changes that could lead to self-destructive behavior. You also risk developing physical issues like heart problems, liver disease, and neurological damage that could become permanent.
Are All Drugs Addictive?
One drug fact you should know is that some lead to dependency more quickly than others. How quickly you become addicted also depends on factors like your family history and general makeup. Some people may ingest a specific drug, feel no effect, and have no desire to try it again. A friend might take the same drug and find themselves compelled to get more.
Drugs like heroin are typically considered more harmful than others because of how quickly people become addicted and their higher risk of causing an overdose or death. They make the mistake of considering a substance a “soft” drug because it doesn’t seem as dangerous as “harder” substances. Every drug brings its own hazards and perils, many of which people don’t know until it’s too late.
How Do People Get Access to Drugs?
An important drug fact you should know is that many people don’t start doing drugs because they’re lured into it by a random pusher off the street. Some people receive prescriptions for medications containing powerful pain medication to help them recover after an illness or injury. Others end up using drugs because they’re offered to them by friends or even family. After that, they may pursue increasingly dangerous means to continue getting drugs to feed their addiction.
What Effects Do Drugs Have on Your Life?
Drug abuse usually seeps into every aspect of your life. People often stop going to school or work. They may begin neglecting important relationships and even take advantage of people who care about them in pursuit of feeding their habit. Many people end up homeless because they’ve used up their financial resources on drugs.
Don’t Let the Effects of Drugs Destroy You
Oceanfront Recovery offers programs geared toward helping you understand the facts about drugs.
Make the choice to change your life by calling Oceanfront Recovery at 877.296.7477.