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Introduction
Everyone
will have their own picture of what a drug addict
is. It may be the image of the junkie shooting up
heroin, and although this may represent one facet of
drug addiction the vast majority of addicts do not
conform to this stereotype. Addiction can affect
anyone and there are many drugs, both legal (for
example tranquillisers and sleeping tablets etc.)
and illegal (cocaine, cannabis etc.) that people can
become addicted to.
How common is it?
Department of Health statistics for a six month
period to 30th September 1999 report a 7% increase
over the previous period in the number of people
seeking help from drug misuse agencies. Heroin was
the most commonly used drug (59%) followed by
cannabis, methadone, amphetamines and cocaine.
How do I know if I have it?
Complete the questionnaire on this site and if this
shows a cause for concern seek a professional
assessment of your problem.
Can it be inherited?
There is growing evidence that there is a genetic
predisposition to addiction, but addictions are also
common in people with no genetic predisposition,
especially in the area of drug addiction.
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