Types of Addiction-Part I

If you ever hear the term addiction, you automatically imagine someone with substance abuse problems. However, there are various types of addiction present in our society, that are not associated with drug and alcohol only. Addiction defined as (according to a dictionary.reference.com) the state of being controlled by a habit or practice or to something that is psychological or physical habit forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma. Any of these drugs from alcohol, cocaine, heroin, LSD or marijuana, to prescription drugs, have detrimental consequences on our communities, homes , work place and schools. According to the national statistics, the number of people affected by drugs and alcohol use have risen in the past decades. Unfortunately, many drug addiction cases resulted in untimely demise. And it often happens among youth and adolescent individuals, who have started using drugs in the very early formative years. There are several types of Drug Addiction known today: Alcohol Addiction. First and foremost alcohol consumption can causes serious health problems and has damaging effects on the persons body. According to David Freeman at WbMd.com, there are 12 main health risks of chronic heavy drinking: Anemia. Heavy drinking can cause the number of oxygencarrying red blood cells to be abnormally low. This condition,

known as anemia, can trigger a host of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. Cancer. Scientists believe the increased risk comes when the body converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a potent carcinogen. Cancer sites linked to alcohol use include the mouth, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), esophagus, liver, breast, and colorectal region. Cancer risk rises even higher in heavy drinkers who also use tobacco. Cardiovascular disease Heavy drinking, especially bingeing, makes platelets more likely to clump together into blood clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Heavy drinking can also cause cardiomyopathy, a potentially deadly condition in which the heart muscle weakens and eventually fails, as well as heart rhythm abnormalities such as atrial and ventricular fibrillation. Cirrhosis Alcohol is toxic to liver cells, and many heavy drinkers develop cirrhosis, a sometimes-lethal condition in which the liver is so heavily scarred that it is unable to function

Dementia The dementia that stems from brain atrophy, heavy drinking can cause nutritional deficiencies so severe that they trigger other forms of dementia. heavy drinking speeds the shrinkage of certain key regions in the brain, resulting in memory loss and other symptoms of dementia. Depression One theory is that depressed people turned to alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate to ease their emotional pain.

Seizures Heavy drinking can cause epilepsy and can trigger seizures even in people who dont have epilepsy. It can also interfere with the action of the medications used to treat convulsions. High blood pressure Heavy drinking and bingeing, in particular can cause blood pressure to rise. Over time, this effect can become chronic. High blood pressure can lead to many other health problems, including kidney disease, heart disease, and stroke. Infectious disease Heavy drinking suppresses the immune system, providing a toehold for infections, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases (including some that cause infertility) Nerve damage Heavy drinking can cause a form of nerve damage known as alcoholic neuropathy, which can produce a painful pins-andneedles feeling or numbness in the extremities as well as muscle weakness, incontinence, constipation, erectile dysfunction, and other problems. Pancreatitis In addition to causing stomach irritation (gastritis), drinking can inflame the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis interferes with the digestive process, causing severe abdominal pain and persistent diarrhea.

Nicotine Addiction

Just like other well known drugs, such as alcohol, heroin or cocaine, the nicotine or tobacco, can be very addictive. Unlike the 80s time when everyone you knew smoked, starting at the very young age, followed by every movie and commercials showing people smoking everywhere: in the office, hospitals, public institutions; in today society a public display of smoking had been reduced drastically. As the medical professionals produced evidential facts about harmful effects of smoke, and increased awareness and prevention programs using television and multiple anti-smoke campaigns, the public reaction to smoking become very serious and positive. There are many places today that do not allow smoking in the indoor as well as the outdoor areas; public parks and recreations are no longer tolerate smoking, even some cities, chosen smoke-free environment for their public safety and clean air. Even with this positive measures taken against cigarette smoking, there are still many people today, of different generations, who still find themselves to be a habitual or chain smokers. Chronic smoking and long term use of nicotine, may have an adverse effects on the human body, and produce the following health risks:

Cancer. Foremost, among the cancers caused by tobacco use is lung cancercigarette smoking has been linked to about 90 percent of all cases of lung cancer, the number one cancer killer of both men and women. Smoking is also associated with cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney, bladder, and acute myeloid leukemia.

Smoking causes lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and it has been found to exacerbate asthma symptoms in adults and children. Heart disease. Smoking also significantly increases the risk of peripheral artery disease, which causes damage to the blood vessels in the legs and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Pregnancy problems. The adverse effects of smoking during pregnancy can include fetal growth retardation and decreased birth weight. Stroke. During a stroke, blood flow and oxygen is cut off from your brain, causing minor to serious brain damage. Nicotine types of addiction increases blood pressure by restricting blood vessels, which can lead to a stroke. In fact, smoking and nicotine addiction are harmful to almost every organ in your body.

If you are looking for help for your loved one who is struggling with drug addiction, please call us today at Drug Addiction Hot Line at (855-829-9148) http://addictionhotlinetoday.com/ t2y5p9e3s4