Alcohol and other drug dependencies are dangerous. Addicts have little or no control over their substance use. What may begin as casual drinking during social gatherings, can become a problem. A person will drink compulsively, be obsessed with getting his next fix, and experience withdrawal symptoms when his body does not have the alcohol or drugs in it. Another problem is that our bodies build up tolerance. This means it takes more and more of the alcohol or drugs to get the same desired effect.

The physical damage a person does to her body when abusing substances can be serious. Organs stop functioning properly, the body is deficient in certain vitamins and minerals and brain damage can result from habitual use. There are many organizations and support groups which specialize in calming a person’s compulsion to drink or abuse drugs. Rehab facilities can counsel a person through withdrawal symptoms and help the substance user take control over their tendency towards abusing alcohol or drugs and regain control over their lives.

Nobody is perfect – everybody needs help sometimes. Help is available so don’t be afraid to ask. WARM2Kids is here to offer helpful advice in staying substance free.