And Addiction Drug abuse is use of drugs or alcohol that cause consequences in the abuser s life. Consequences can be physical, mental, family, relationship, work, legal, or financial in nature. Many people also abuse nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol. Body builders may abuse anabolic steroids.
Drug abuse can progress to addiction in susceptible individuals.
When this occurs, drug use becomes the person s primary focus over his or her other life responsibilities, including health, work, and family. Some drugs also produce physical dependence and severe withdrawal, when use is stopped without medical supervision. Withdrawal from narcotics, such as heroin and methadone, is extremely uncomfortable and painful. Withdrawal from alcohol and other sedative hypnotics can be life-threatening, causing seizures and delirium. As abuse progresses into addiction, an individual becomes more isolated.