Drug misuse and addiction

What is drug misuse and addiction?

Drug misuse refers to the use of a drug for purposes for which it was not attended or using a drug in excessive quantities.

Drug addiction is a state of physical or psychological dependence on a drug.

Physical addiction is characterised by the presence of tolerance (needing more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms that disappear when further medication is taken.

All sorts of different drugs can be misused, including illegal drugs (such as heroin or cannabis), prescription medicines (such as tranquilisers or painkillers) and other medicines that can be bought off the supermarket shelf (such as cough mixtures or herbal remedies).

In the UK we have high levels of drug misuse, including high rates of heroin and crack cocaine use.

People who misuse drugs often have a range of health and social problems, which may lead them to misuse drugs or may be a consequence of their addiction.

Drug misuse can affect people's relationships and have impacts on their family, friends and the wider community.

What causes drug misuse and addiction?

This depends on the nature of the drug being misused, the person taking the drug and the circumstances under which it is taken.

Some drugs – for example heroin, cocaine and certain sleeping pills or painkillers – are physically addictive. They have a specific effect on the body which leads to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Other drugs may lead to a psychological addiction if people have a craving for the effect that the drug causes.

There has been some speculation that some people may be more prone to drug misuse and addiction than others. Research is being carried out into whether there may be genes that predispose certain people to addiction.

Social circumstances are important in drug misuse. Peer pressure, emotional distress and low self-esteem can all lead individuals to misuse drugs. Ease of access to drugs is another influence.

Understanding what the person's motivation is helps to explain why that person is misusing drugs.

How is drug addiction treated?

The first step in treatment is recognition by the individual that they have a problem.

The person's GP will be able to advise on treatment for drug addiction. He or she may suggest that the person sees a specialist.

Effective treatments are tailored to the needs of the individual. There is no one therapy that is used in all cases. The choice of treatment will also depend on which drug is being misused.

The current UK guidelines identify six key points in the provision of treatment for drug misuse.

1. The needs of all drug misusers should be assessed across the four domains of drug and alcohol misuse, health, social functioning and criminal involvement.
2. Risks to dependent children should be assessed for all drug-using parents.
3. All drug misusers entering structured treatment should have a care or treatment plan which is regularly reviewed.
4. Drug misuse treatment involves a range of interventions, not just prescribing.
5. A named individual should manage and deliver aspects of the patient’s care or treatment plan.
6. Drug testing can be a useful tool in assessment and in monitoring compliance and outcomes of treatment.

Read more: netdoctor.