A drug problem is an everyday struggle of not only the user, although some users haven’t realized yet that it is a problem, but the users family, friends, or special loved one. You may not instantly determine or realize that someone you care about is having problem with drugs.

People involved with drug problems or know someone who has at times thinks that drug addiction and drug abuse are basically the same thing, and should just be used interchangeably. But actually they are both different terms with different meanings. Complexity revolving drug abuse and definition has become increasingly clear and several efforts have been done to look of the right meaning both terms.

Drug Addiction:

The World Health Organization committee (WHO) had collected numerous of definitions concerning Alcohol And Drug Addiction and had suggested a generic term “drug dependence”. This addiction is defined as a disorder wherein the drug user’s behavior is being strongly influenced and dominated by the drug. It is a condition of recurring intoxication that happens when there is constant consumption of drug. It has characteristics of intense need or desire of continuous use, tendency of increasing dosage, unfavorable effects on both individual and society, and dependence on effects.

Drug Abuse:

Drug abuse is defined as the misuse of the drug or substance according the culturally acceptable standard. It is simply an abuse usage of substance which may involve excessive and habitual use in order to attain a certain effect. These so-called substances may be illegal, can be taken from streets and syndicates against the law, or can be legal as well in a form of prescription that are used in a pleasurable manner rather than medical.

Causes of Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse:

As both terms have different definition, their causes are different as well. Drug abuse is more complicated than drug addiction, although drug addiction has more forceful motivational condition. With drug addiction, it comprises the drug’s effect on the brain wherein it can become a strong motivational factor to use the drug again. On the other hand, drug abuse as a misuse of a substance, may or may not go together with a strong motivational factor to continue the use of the drug. In many cases, therefore, drug abuse does not necessarily make drug addiction, but drug addiction can constitute drug abuse.

Patterns of Behavior:

Drug addiction and Drug abuse have basically the same effects. Both have unwanted or unfavorable consequences both to society and the individual. Some symptoms and patterns of behavior of drug addiction and abuse comprise an abnormally slow in speech, reaction or movement, cycles of restlessness, inability of sleep or intensified energy, sudden gain or loss of weight, series of excessive sleep, sudden constant wearing of long-sleeved tops even under high temperature just to hide scars of injection points, loss of physical control, sudden impulse and confidence in doing risky activities, and withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop drug use.

Knowing the fact that drug users are prone to deny their drug-related symptoms and behavior, the family, friends, and loved ones must be sensitive and be more aware of these signs.

Being with a Drug Abuse or Addiction Problem:

At times it is not easily recognizable that someone so important to you is struggling with drug problem. It could be that it has started very early but not noticeable since the progression is slow, and that person might have been good in hiding the level of drug use from you. Or since that drug has been used early on and slowly, you might have easily adapted to the users behavior to the point that it seems normal still. It can be that the realization that someone so important to you is a victim of drugs is painful. You should never feel embarrassed. There are so many people who are in the same position as you. Alcohol And Drug Addiction have affected millions of families all over the world.

There are available help and support everywhere. You can start by looking for support groups locally. Support groups can be in your very own religious area, private or government institutions, and small communities. By just listening to others who share the same experiences and dilemmas can be a very good way of support and give comfort. Other sources to find support and help would include a therapist, spiritual leader, a trusted friend or family member.

In drug rehab, your loved one is working to make improvements physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For these changes to last, other areas of their life need to change simultaneously, including their family relationships and home environment.

Whether or not you realize the extent of it, addiction has taken a heavy toll on your family. Some unhealthy patterns may need to be addressed before lasting recovery can become a reality.

Family involvement before, during, and after drug rehab is essential. But certain types of involvement are not helpful and can actually make the situation worse. Here are five ways to play a positive role in your loved one’s recovery:

1. Set and Enforce Boundaries

During drug rehab, particularly in the early days, your loved one may beg and plead to come home. They may have a laundry list of complaints about how they feel and how they’re being treated, and will likely go through at least one phase when they believe they’ve overcome addiction and are ready to go on with life. This is the denial, fear, and rationalization of addiction talking, not them.

This is an important time to set and enforce boundaries. Lend a sympathetic ear and work together to solve any problems, but stand firm in your commitment to seeing treatment through. When you and the treatment team work together to send the message that treatment is essential and non-negotiable, your loved one is more likely to complete the program, which in turn increases their chances of lasting recovery.

After your loved one returns home from drug rehab, have a plan in place in the event of a relapse. Although you do not want to withdraw your love and support, you’ll need to set boundaries around the behaviors you will not accept and refrain from falling back into codependent or enabling patterns.

2. Participate in 12-Step Support Groups

You’ve probably been trying to help your loved one for a long time. Some of that help was effective enough to get them into drug rehab, but some of it may have been unintentionally destructive.

Twelve Step support groups can help you understand your role in your loved one’s addiction. Perhaps you have unwittingly enabled the addiction by giving your loved one money, bailing them out of jail, giving them a place to live, or protecting them from the consequences of their addictive behaviors in other ways. Maybe you have spent so much time trying to control the behavior that you’ve lost yourself (codependency).

Those patterns can be unlearned with guidance and practice. Twelve Step support groups such as Al-Anon are free, anonymous meetings for loved ones of addicts and alcoholics. Addiction specialists highly recommend that you attend as many of these meetings as possible. They will introduce you to healthier coping strategies and combat isolation, showing you that others share similar struggles and have prevailed in the face of tremendous obstacles.

3. Get Involved in the Family Program

Most quality drug rehab centers offer a family program. Whether it occurs once during your loved one’s stay or numerous times, attend as often as possible. During this time, you may be invited to participate in family therapy, multi-family group sessions, and educational talks about the disease of addiction. In addition to learning valuable information, your involvement sends an important message to your loved one that you are in this together.

If you’re able, write letters of encouragement and be available for phone calls. During this vulnerable time, try to keep conversations positive and supportive rather than discussing problems at home or airing grievances.

4. Practice Self-Care

When all of the focus is on getting an addict into drug rehab, there’s a good chance you’ve ignored many of your own needs for quite some time. What goals have been pushed aside because of your loved one’s addiction? Take this time while your loved one is getting treatment to reconnect with yourself, rebuild your social support network, and reinvest in work, hobbies, or other interests.

Also make sure you schedule time for yourself and your own needs and responsibilities after your loved one returns home. Supporting their recovery is important, but taking care of yourself has to be a priority.

5. Prepare for Your Loved One’s Return Home

When your loved one comes home from drug rehab, they will look, act, and feel different. If you’ve been attending Al-Anon meetings and family therapy sessions, there’s a good chance you will, too. In preparation for your loved one’s return, make sure home is a stable and supportive environment with minimal stressors and no drugs or alcohol.

If the drug rehab center has recommended extended care or a sober living environment, encourage your loved one to continue treatment. Be patient with your loved one and give them the time and space to attend as many 12-Step meetings as they need and help them follow through on their aftercare and relapse prevention plans. Keep an eye out for relapse triggers, encourage them to share their feelings, and lend your support as often as you can.

Most importantly, have faith. After all of the lies and disappointments fueled by your loved one’s addiction, you may feel you have nothing left to give. But your loved one needs your support during this critical stage of recovery. You already have a few “wins” under your belt in the battle against addiction and there are many more to come. Finding the strength to be there now can make a lifetime of difference.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a pattern of physical and mental problems that can occur when a mother is exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol passes easily from the mother to her unborn child. Because an unborn child is going through such rapid development, alcohol can have profound effects on the unborn child. Although larger amounts of alcohol seem to lead to more physical and developmental problems for an unborn child, even small amounts of alcohol may pose a risk. Also, drinking alcohol during the earlier stages of a pregnancy (particularly the first three months) may to lead to more problems for the fetus since many of the major organs begin developing in the first three months following conception. Unfortunately, women often do not find out they are pregnant until weeks after conception. In some cases, a woman may be pregnant for months before she realizes she is carrying a child. This can be particularly true for women who have unpredictable menstrual cycles, who are overweight, or who experience few symptoms of pregnancy. One of the unfortunate ramifications of this is that a mother may consume large amounts of alcohol over an extended period of time before she knows she is pregnant.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can cause a variety of specific problems, including slow growth in the womb, problems with coordination and muscle tone, heart defects, speech problems, mental retardation and even miscarriage or infant death. Many babies born to mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy will have a pattern of physical abnormalities, including a small head, narrow eyes and changes in the jaw and lip development. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome affects both how a child looks and how they ultimately function in their world.

If you are pregnant, or hoping to become pregnant, avoid consuming alcohol. No amount of alcohol has been proven to be safe during pregnancy and abstinence during pregnancy is the safest course of action. If you find out that you are pregnant and realize that you have been drinking during the early stages of pregnancy, share this information with your physician. Frequently women who have an unexpected pregnancy realize that they have consumed alcohol after conception. It is helpful for your physician to have this information so that he or she can plan the best course of action. Fortunately, for many women, alcohol use early in pregnancy does not appear to lead to any long term damage. This is particularly true if the alcohol use was infrequent and in smaller amounts.

If you find that you cannot stop drinking during pregnancy, contact your physician or an alcohol rehab center to learn more about help that may be available to you and your unborn child. If you struggle to avoid alcohol and plan or become pregnant, or are already pregnant, perhaps one of the greatest gifts you can give both yourself and your unborn child is a mother free of alcohol. Many alcohol rehab centers can work with pregnant women and their physicians to provide treatment that is safe and supportive.