Cycle of Addiction:
• Many drugs, if taken often enough, can lead to addiction or physical dependence
• Addiction often follows a pattern or cycle…
The Cycle of Addiction Has Three Parts:
1. TOLERANCE:
3. WITHDRAWAL
SYMPTOMS:
2. ADDICTION:(Physical Dependence)
3. WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS:
• Physical and mental reactions which occur when an addict does not take the drug
3. WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS:
May include nausea, vomiting, trembling, seizures, headaches, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, and even death
Drugs that cause these withdrawal symptoms cause physical dependency.
Psychological Dependence:
In addition to being hooked physically, many users get addicted mentally and emotionally, too
Psychological Dependence:
• This makes it even more difficult to quit using drugs
• The user must break both the physical and psychological addiction!
Psychological Dependence:
• Is a person’s mental or emotional need for the drug.
• Withdrawal symptoms of psychological dependent drugs are depression, nervousness, sleeplessness, and irritability.
Most young people don’t fully understand this when they start drinking, smoking, or using other drugs
They think: “I can quit any time I want!”
CAN THEY?
How can you tell if you are developing a problem?
If you know someone who you think has a problem you should have them take the T.W.E.A.K. test on the next slide.
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program
The T.W.E.A.K. Test T (tolerance) “How many drinks / how many pills / how
many hits can you hold?” A lot? W (worried) “Have close friends or relatives worried or
complained about your drinking/drugging in the past year?”
E (eye opener) “Do you sometimes take drugs or a drink in the morning when you first get up?”
A (amnesia) “Has a friend or family member ever told you about things you said or did while drinking or drugging that you could not remember?”
K (cut down) “Do you sometimes feel the need to cut down on your drinking and drugging?”
2
2
1
1
1
3 risky drug/alcohol use