Addiction
What is Addiction?
Addiction is the dependence on a drug or substance. Addiction is a process, which is influenced by many factors, including environment, the culture in which someone lives, biology, and relationship with family and friends. Physical dependence occurs when a person's body becomes accustomed to alcohol or to a particular drug and can only function normally when the alcohol or drug is present. There is a loss of control of when and how much the drug is used. If the alcohol or drug is not present the person will experience withdrawal.
Reference: Quoted by an AADAC representative from an informative pamphlet available to the public, August 22, 2001.
Who is Addicted?
Anyone can become addicted to a substance with prolonged, repeated use. A recent study indicated children aged 12-13 become addicted to cigarettes after only a few days of smoking.
Reality Check - Am I Addicted?
How do I know if I have a problem with alcohol or drugs? Answer each of the following questions:
I'm not taking proper care of myself: Agree? Disagree?
- Changes in personal hygiene
- Dressing different
- Looking different
- Feeling ill or run down
- Getting sick more often
My eating and/or sleeping habits have changed: Agree? Disagree?
- I'm eating more/less than I used to
- I've lost/gained weight
- I'm sleeping more/less than I used to
I have a different group of friends than I used to: Agree? Disagree?
- I'm not bringing them home anymore
- I'm not letting my parents know who my friends are, or who I am out with
- My new friends are known as 'drinkers' or 'users'
My behaviour has changed: Agree? Disagree?
- I'm acting differently than I used to
- I'm locking myself in my room, not letting parents come in
- I'm lying about where I'm going and who I'm with
- I'm dropping activities I used to enjoy
- I don't care about things much any more
If you agree with any of these statements, then you may have an addiction problem. These signs alone may not indicate an addiction. It is important to look at how the use is affecting various areas of your life - ie. relationships, health, etc. Talk to someone you trust and get help. A doctor can help you with treatment options.
Other signs that you might have an addiction problem may be changes in the way you feel and think about things and situations that may result in family problems, increased arguing/fighting with family members, and getting into trouble with the police.
AADAC Help Line 1-866-332-2322
AADAC Youth Services 780-422-7383
Reference: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
What is Alcohol?
Many do not consider alcohol a drug, but it is. Alcohol is a sedative/hypnotic because it depresses the central nervous system (the workings of the spine and brain). It lowers inhibitions, making you feel relaxed and more prone to taking chances you wouldn't otherwise take.
Reference: Alberta Justice - Crime Prevention
Who is Using Alcohol?
Approximately 75% of Albertans over the age of 15 drink alcohol, at least to some extent.
Reference: Alberta Justice - Crime Prevention
Reality Check
Motor vehicle crashes, snowmobile accidents, fire injuries, and falls all frequently involve alcohol or other drug use. Studies have found:
- 35% of fatally injured vehicle drivers were legally impaired
- Among 727 people who died in fires, the average blood alcohol level was 0.19%
- People injured in falls were 60 times more likely to have a blood alcohol content over 0.1%
Reference: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
Deaths from overdose usually result from excessive alcohol consumption. This kind of consumption has been associated with events such as college parties. Any unconscious person, whether intoxicated or not, should be watched closely and receive medical attention if they cannot be aroused.
Death may also occur when moderate amounts of alcohol are combined with other depressant drugs such as sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Even small amounts of alcohol when taken together with these or other drugs, such as cannabis or antihistamines (in cold, cough, and allergy remedies), can seriously impair a person's ability to drive a car.
In men, chronic ingestion of excess alcohol may lead to impotence, sterility, atrophy of the testes, and enlargement of the breasts. Early menopause and menstrual irregularities are common in women who drink excessively.
Reference: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
Staying Safe
Whether you choose to drink or not, you will be around others who drink. It is up to you to make a safe choice. There are many reasons why a person may choose not to drink:
- They may not want to
- They may be underage
- They may be required to operate a motor vehicle, such as an automobile, motorcycle, boat, all-terrain vehicle, bicycle or other equipment
- They may be taking certain medications, like sedatives or painkillers
- They may have certain health concerns, like high blood pressure or liver disease
- They may suffer from some forms of mental illness (alcohol may enhance depression and should never be combined with medications used to treat this condition)
You do not have to drink. And even if you do choose to drink, it does not mean you have to do so on every occasion. Here are some things to think about when you are making your choice. If you choose not to drink:
- Know your own reasons and do not feel you have to apologize for them
- Expect others to respect your decision
- Respect the decisions of your friends and others who do choose to drink
Reference: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
What is Smoking?
The addictive drug in a cigarette or cigar is nicotine, which is a highly addictive stimulant.
Who is Smoking?
Slightly more men than women are current smokers, although among teens 15 to 19 years old, female smokers outnumber their male counterparts. The highest level of tobacco use is reported among young adults 20 to 24 years old.
Reference: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
According to 1999 statistics, the rate for Alberta smokers aged 15 to 19 is 26% (females 23%, males 29%).
Reference: Alberta Tobacco Reduction Strategy
Reality Check
- Cigarette smoking is the most common addiction, and the most difficult to overcome.
- Inhaled cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, many of which cause cancer.
- hese chemicals include nicotine, tars and carbon monoxide.
- The popularity of cigarette smoking is at an all-time low in Canada with almost 70 percent being non-smokers
- Buying or selling tobacco products is illegal in Canada for youths under the age of 18 and can result in fines and/or jail time.
Staying Safe
Staying safe from smoking means NOT smoking. Cigarettes are a health hazard and are addictive. They cause many life-threatening illnesses and if you smoke, the sooner you quit, the healthier you will be. Talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Getting Help
Want to cut down or quit? Here are some Web sites to visit:
Women's Initiative in Tobacco
WINIT is a program for youth by youth. Make sure to check the 'Quit Tips' section. AADAC 4 KIDS
What are Illegal Drugs?
- Illegal drugs include:
- Marijuana (ganja, weed, grass)
- Heroin (H, smack)
- Cocaine (coke, C, snow, white up, flake)
- Ketamine (special K)
- LSD (acid)
- Ecstasy (E, XTC, Adam, euphoria, X, MDM, love doves)
- And many others
Who is using Illegal Drugs?
A 1995 Alberta survey of 12 to 17 year old students found that 16% used marijuana at least once in the previous 12 months, and 4% used it frequently (once or more times per week).
A 1993 survey of Alberta students aged 12 to 18 years old found that one in ten had used hallucinogens at least once in the past 12 months, and 1% had used them at least 20 times.
Reference: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
Staying Safe
Drugs may be mixed with toxic ingredients which may cause permanent damage or death.
Studies have found that between 35% and 50% of people who arrive at emergency rooms with traumatic brain injuries have a history of abusing alcohol or drugs. Young unmarried men are at the highest risk for brain injury and are also those most likely to abuse alcohol and drugs.
Reference: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
