The Disease of Addiction

Alcohol use disorder, known commonly as alcoholism, is among the leading causes of premature death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol overuse causes more than 380 deaths per day in the United States. Indications of alcohol use disorder include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, slurred speech, impulsive or risk-taking behaviors, compromised brain function, and reduced motor skills.

Cocaine is a very powerful, highly addictive stimulant. It produces a euphoric sensation and can cause high-risk behaviors and a reduction in impulse control. Over time, the body becomes tolerant of cocaine, with continued use inhibiting the brain’s reward pathway. This phenomenon causes increased feelings of depression and despair when the drug is not being used. Heavy, continual use can cause anxiety attacks, hallucinations, and paranoia.

Heroin, classified as an opioid, is arguably the world’s most notorious illicit drug. Heroin is extremely addictive and has high rates of overdose and physical dependency. Continued heroin use can severely impair the physiology of the brain, causing a permanent reduction in impulse control and behavior regulation. Other effects include depression, increased susceptibility to infections, collapsed veins, disordered sleep patterns, and reduced fertility.

Opioids are a class of drugs that interact with the brain’s opioid receptors; they activate pleasure signals and inhibit pain signals, simultaneously relieving pain and causing feelings of euphoria. While many are derived from the poppy plant (morphine and codeine, for example), extremely powerful synthetic versions (fentanyl) are becoming increasingly common.

Benzodiazepine drugs, sometimes called tranquilizers or “benzos,” are sedatives prescribed for medical use. Benzodiazepines are prescribed to reduce anxiety symptoms, but they can trigger physical dependence after only a few months of use, and cause severe physical withdrawal symptoms. These include seizures, loss of focus, hallucinations, depression, and sleeplessness.

Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a type of benzodiazepine drug prescribed for panic disorders and depression-related anxiety. It has an extremely high potential for addiction and, according to a report published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, causes more severe withdrawal symptoms (in addition to symptoms of rebound anxiety) than other types of benzodiazepines due to its dosing and accessibility. Physical withdrawal symptoms from Xanax can be life-threatening.

Methamphetamine, or crystal meth, is a dangerously addictive narcotic that gives users a euphoric high. Methamphetamine elevates dopamine levels and adrenaline, which elevates mood, heightens energy levels, and increases feelings of confidence. The powerful stimulation can alter neurological pathways and inhibit dopamine production, effectively triggering feelings of severe depression when not using the drug. Long-term methamphetamine use can lead to psychotic episodes that might continue months or sometimes years after cessation.

Addiction to prescription medications occurs when people become physically and psychologically dependent on the drugs, even when the drugs are taken to treat legitimate medical symptoms. While the euphoric sensation of some categories of prescription drugs can lead to addiction, people who suffer from chronic, severe pain often become physically dependent upon prescription painkillers. 

Marijuana is a commonly used substance in the United States due to its affordability and accessibility. Though it is largely viewed as a less harmful substance than opioids (heroin, morphine, fentanyl) or stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine), increasingly powerful cannabis strains can lead to addiction and dependency.