With the popularity of shows such as Celebrity Rehab and the tabloid obsession with young celebrities with reported drug problems, drug abuse and addiction have become a hot topic. While TV producers and tabloids have turned stories of drug addiction into entertainment, the truth is that drug addiction is rarely glamorous. Thousands of people, especially young people, die every year from drug overdoses and drug-related illnesses. Recreational use of cocaine, opiates, heroin, meth, and pills such as vicodin can easily lead to addiction.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have a drug addiction, you should seek medical attention. Here are some general signs of drug addiction to be aware of:
- Feeling that you need the drug regularly and, in some cases, many times a day
- Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
- Failing repeatedly in your attempts to stop using the drug
- Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing
- Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems
- Driving or doing other activities that place you and others at risk of physical harm when you’re under the influence of the drug
If any of these sound familiar to you, you may have a drug addiction and should seek the help you need to get and remain sober before your addiction takes an ugly turn.
