WHAT IS DRUG?
Any substance (other than food) that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Drugs can also affect how the brain and the rest of the body work and cause changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior.
Many drugs that are considered addictive or habit forming are safely prescribed to patients every day. For many of us, this is the extent of drug use as it ends with the prescription. Unfortunately a large number of patients end up becoming addicted to prescription medications, even if taken as directed.
Whether legally obtained or not, addictive drugs are classified as one of the following:
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Opioids
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Stimulants
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Depressants
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Hallucinogens
DRUG ADDICTION
Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines or receive them from others who have prescriptions.
As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it's increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill. These are called withdrawal symptoms.
