59 www.rnca.ca What is Addiction? continued 7. Ecstasy, cocaine and heroin are a few examples of illegal drugs. 8. Psychoactive pharmaceuticals are the third most commonlyabused substances among Canadian youth. 9. Prescription drug abuse is intentionally taking medication in a way that was not prescribed. The most common types of prescription drugs abused include opioids (used to treat pain), benzodiazepines (used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (used to treat attention deficit disorder). 10. Many people are not aware of the potential risks to using substances. Abuse of these medications can cause serious health effects, including addiction, overdose and even death. Warning signs Consider these warning signs: • Do you feel an overwhelming desire to use? • Is the problem behaviour suddenly frequent? Does it feel out of control? • Is it on your mind often? Interfering with the ability to complete work or manage your daytoday life? • Is the addiction causing problems at work or home? What’s normal? What’s addiction? We all get cravings, but when does it become problematic? Be aware of the warning signs in yourself and your loved ones. Insatiable craving. Is it a craving that doesn’t seem to pass? Loss of control. Is the behaviour occurring more frequently? Is the amount taken or spent increasing? Does it seem like life is centred around this one thing? Compulsion to use. Are thoughts about the behaviour obsessive? Is the behaviour interfering with the ability to complete work or manage daytoday life? Use despite consequences. Is the behaviour causing problems at work or home but you or your loved one just can’t stop? Is the behaviour having a negative financial impact? What are the signs of substance abuse and when to get help? Someone does not have to show clear signs of a problem to have an addiction. It’s easy to become dependent on a drug or an activity without realizing it right away. Harmful consequences and loss of control are two important signs that a person’s substance use is risky, or is already a problem. Substance use may be a problem when you: • Have difficulty meeting responsibilities at home, work or school. • Use more than you intended despite wanting to cut down or quit. • Have recurring problems with health, safety, relationships, finances or the law through the substance use. • Need the substance to cope with everyday life or particular experiences. • Organize other events or needs around your substance use. • Need increasing amounts of the substance to have the same effect. • Feel sick or moody without the substance, but feel a little improved upon resuming use; and. • Have tried unsuccessfully to reduce or cease use. If you are experiencing any of the above you may have a substance abuse problem. Remember, no matter what type of addiction or problem you are facing, hope and help is available. Source: hi.easternhealth.ca
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