Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a mental disorder that affects a person's brain and behaviour and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. People with substance dependency or addiction often leads to health issues, personal and work life issues, etc.

Most Common substance use disorder patients have a dependency on one of the following substances:

1) Opioids

2) Alcohol

3) Cannabis

4) Benzodiazepines

SYMPTOMS

Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

· Regular and excessive use of substance

· Having intense craving for the drug

· Increasing quantity of the substance intake with time

· Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it

· Unable to meet obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social activities because of drug use

· Continuing to use the drug, even though they know it's causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm

· Driving or doing other risky activities when they are under the influence of the drug

· Failing in their attempts to stop using the drug

· Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop taking the drug. Such as Vomiting, body ache, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, increased irritability, etc.

CAUSES

· Family history of addiction

· Mental health disorder

· Peer pressure

· emotional distress

· environmental stress

· Conflict among family

TREATMENTS

· Medication.

· Medical devices and applications used to treat withdrawal symptoms or deliver skills training.

· Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

· Long-term follow-up to prevent relapse.

· Detoxification

· Behavior therapy and counselling

· Self-help groups