Home Remedies and Herbs for Drug Abuse

Drug abuse, also called substance abuse or drug addiction, is a health concern characterized by a person’s dependence on drugs or medications.¹ This can involve a range of legal and illegal drugs, including prescription drugs, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, heroin, steroids, and more.^1,2 When a person is addicted to drugs, they experience intense cravings and cannot control their drug use.¹ 

This leads to serious issues, including effects on physical and mental health. These may be short-term problems such as changes in heart rate, blood pressure, appetite, and mood. Overdose and death may occur in a single use. Long-term physical effects of drug abuse can lead to serious health conditions like lung and heart disease, cancer, and hepatitis among other complications.³ Drug addiction is a brain disorder that can lead to further mental illness and affect stress, memory, decision-making, sleep, and more. It may also interfere with a person’s work and relationships. All of these effects depend on the person, type of drug used, dose, and a variety of other factors.³

What Causes Drug Abuse?

Drug abuse causes involve a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors may determine if a person starts drugs in the first place. This may involve peer pressure or a person’s beliefs toward drug use.⁴ Genetic factors also play a component, with some people being more susceptible to addiction than others.⁴

Risk for drug abuse increases in patients with depression or anxiety disorders.^5,6 A family history of addiction can also increase risk.⁷ Men are more likely to become addicted to drugs than women, as are people who have experienced addiction in the past.⁷

Drug Abuse Symptoms

Drug abuse symptoms vary depending on the drug that’s taken. Drug abuse symptoms involve an intense craving for the drug, which can cause a person to spend money on it even when they can’t afford it, ensure they always have a supply of the drug, and spend more time trying to get or use the drug.⁸ Behavioral changes are common as well, such as doing poor in work or school, changing social habits due to drug use, engaging in risky behavior, or stealing in order to get the drug. Withdrawal symptoms will also occur when individuals stop using the drug.⁸ 

Treatment options typically involve a range of therapies, such as counseling or self-help groups.⁹ Drug abuse home remedies may help in reducing symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/basics/definition/con-20020970
2. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse
3. https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/health-consequences-drug-misuse
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/basics/causes/con-20020970
5. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/depression
6. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/anxiety-disorders
7. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/basics/risk-factors/con-20020970
8. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/basics/symptoms/con-20020970
9. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/basics/treatment/con-20020970