Alcoholism or addiction to other drugs, and some compulsive behaviors coexist, have been and remain one of the most important concerns in our country. Not only are a public health problem but also family, social, economic, labor and legal: addiction not only affects the sufferer, but to all people around.

Concept of Disease
Despite many years of addiction as a disease has been defined by the World Health Organization, many people still believe it is due to a habit or vice. For this reason remains stigmatized and, unfortunately, both the addict and the people around her have avoided the problem for fear of the judgments of others and because they think it really has no solution.

It is paradoxical to think that other chronic diseases are treated with less widely used and accepted while addiction affects more people each day still considered a marginal issue and focus with so much despair and shame.

The addiction to drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, designer drugs, prescription medications or any psychoactive drug that has taken a clear priority in self-destructive life of a person, not a single source. It is a multi-causal phenomenon that can occur in anyone, without regard to race, religion, sex or economic status, family or social.

This disease is primary, chronic and progressive. Primary means it is a disease in itself, not a symptom of other emotional or psychological disorders. As a disease, is an involuntary condition that prevents the person addicted to exercise self-control, unlike those who do not suffer, for this reason it is a cruel mistake to insist that the person is “willpower” to stop intoxicated.

Addiction is a disease characterized by loss of control in the consumption of one or more addictive drugs (alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, tranquilizers, etc.).. This loss of control makes the addict, but he wishes, do not get permanently stop using its own.

We must be aware that neither the patient’s wishes or family pressure will solve the problem. Only appropriate professional treatment can address the situation and achieve the patient’s recovery.

Stimulant Drugs

• Coffee
  Possible effect: Decreases sleepiness and fatigue.
  Possible physical consequences: Restlessness, agitation, tremors, insomnia, digestive problems
• Snuff, nicotine
  Possible effect: Disinhibition, calm feeling
  Possible physical consequences: Pulmonary and circulatory disorders. Heart disease. Strokes and cancer.
• Amphetamine
  Possible effect: Heightened alert, hyperactivity, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, tachycardia, talkativeness
  Possible physical consequences: Dilated pupils, intense nervousness, permanent alertness, insomnia, chills, anorexia.
• Cocaine
  Possible effect: Excitement, marked disinhibition, hyperactivity, loss of appetite, anxiety, increased blood pressure and heart beats.
  Possible physical consequences: Restlessness, agitation, hypertension, cardio-respiratory disorders, malnutrition, anemia. To damage the liver, kidneys and brain. In pregnancy, defective fetuses

Depressants Drugs

• Alcohol
  Possible effect: Initial euphoria. Disinhibition, decreased stress. Dullness poor coordination, confusion
  Possible physical consequences: Liver and peripheral nerves, slurred speech, unsteady gait, memory loss, sexual impotence, delirium.
• Barbiturates, sedatives
  Possible effect: Central nervous system depression. Tranquility, relaxation.
  Possible physical consequences: Liver and peripheral nerves, slurred speech, unsteady gait, memory loss, sexual impotence, delirium.
• Opium, Heroin, Methadone
  Possible effect: Exaggerated physical sensations and emotional level, anxiety, diminished reason, understanding and memory, psychomotor retardation
  Possible physical consequences: States of general confusion, seizures, hallucinations, muscle spasms, lower blood pressure

Hallucinogenic Drugs

• Marijuana
  Possible effect: Decreases the reaction to stimuli and reduces reflections, temporal and spatial disorientation, hallucinations.
  Possible physical consequences: Reduced sex drive, damage to reproductive functions, toxic psychosis neurological impairment.
• LSD
  Possible effect: Hallucinations, flasback temporal and spatial disorientation.
  Possible physical consequences: Delirium, depersonalization, fear, panic, vision changes arterial hypertension, respiratory problems

We considered several factors in an attempt to explain and understand the causes of toxicomanie.Une thing is certain: there is no single cause of drug addiction. A person develops an addiction due to a combination of factors.

Genetic factors

Perhaps some people are genetically more vulnerable to the addictive drug can generate. Studies have shown that the risk of having a disorder associated with alcohol and other drug use is higher among those with a close relative has such a disorder (Glantz and Pickens, 1992). However, many people who are genetically vulnerable to addiction does not develop an addiction to drugs while others, who have no family history of addiction, do.

Drug interaction with brain

People who take alcohol or other drug use because these substances stimulate the brain and provide a sense of well-being. This instant gratification leads to repeat the experience. All substances likely to cause dependence stimulate production of dopamine, a chemical in the brain associated with reward and pleasure. Eat, drink and sexual relations are all activities that cause the brain to produce dopamine. However, consumption of alcohol and other drugs significantly stimulates the production of dopamine, which alters the chemical activity of the brain. The brain, meanwhile, is trying to strike a balance accustomed to the presence of drugs, which means he must eat more to get a sense of plaisir.De over the brain adapts by reducing the amount of dopamine can be produced. This partly explains why people with an addiction say they feel “flat” and depressed when they do not take drugs (NIDA, year indeterminate Glantz and Pickens, 1992).

Environment

The situation at home, neighborhood or community where you live and where we go to school or the workplace may affect the risk of having problems with alcohol and other drugs. It can be said of the attitudes of peers and family and how we perceive alcohol and other drugs within the cultural milieu. Some people who face prejudice or discrimination or who are marginalized because of their culture, race, sexual identity, sexual orientation, their abilities, age or other factors consume alcohol or other drugs to cope with the trauma they live and with the social isolation they are subject.

Issues in Mental Health

Research has shown that over half of people with a disorder related to alcohol and other drugs also have mental health problems, particularly anxiety or depression during their lives (and Reiger al., 1990).

The link between alcohol and other drug and mental health problems is complex. Some people with such problems use alcohol or other drugs to feel better, but only aggravate their situation. For these people, even a small amount of alcohol (eg., A glass or two) can exacerbate their problems.

You can find more information about the link between alcohol and other drug and mental health problems in the publication entitled CAMH Concurrent substance abuse and mental health (which can be found online at Concurrent Addiction and Mental Health: Information Guide. For more details, see “Resources”)

Dealing with his thoughts and feelings

Some people use alcohol or other drugs to cope with emotions or difficult situations. For example, they may take these substances because it is difficult to calm down when angry or upset and that alcohol or drugs regulate their emotions. Other people use alcohol or other drugs because they are stressed because they are bored because they are sad or to reduce their inhibitions and be easier to speak or express what they feel.

Spiritual or Religious

We do not all have the same meaning to the term spirituality. However, one aspect of spirituality that affects a large number of people is the need to feel that we are bound to each other and connected to the world around us. Those who have not established such links can feel a spiritual emptiness or hopelessness. They can then use alcohol or other drugs to conceal these feelings, then be faced with a problem of abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Risk factors and protective

Researchers have attempted to clarify the complex causes of the problems of alcohol and other drugs. To do this, we can identify particular factors that may cause these problems and those that protect against such problems. As the consumption of alcohol and other drugs often begins in youth, researchers have focused on this age group.

Risk factors related to the problems of alcohol and other drugs among young people include:

* For problems with alcohol and other drugs in the family;

* Poor performance in school;

* Poverty, conflicts and disruptions within the family and stress;

* Having friends who drink alcohol or other drugs;

* Have difficulty in being integrated or be excluded from a group because of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, abilities or other factors;

* Have suffered psychological violence, physical or sexual abuse;

* Have been the subject of discrimination or oppression.

Protective factors related to the problems of alcohol and other drugs among youth include:

* Find an adult whose behavior can serve as a positive model (eg.’s Father, mother, another family member or teacher);

* Be well supported by parents or others who provide care;

* To have close ties with family, school or community;

* Have set goals and nurture dreams;

* Engaging in activities they love and are well supervised (eg., Sports, music, volunteering).

The absence or presence of risk factors and protection does not mean that a person will or will not confronted with problems. However, these factors determine the level of risk that it could be exposed. In the case of a person having a problem with alcohol and other drugs, risk factors and protective factors also influence how that person will be able to change its consumption.