Can blood test be useful in determining addiction?

Bydrug-addiction-support


    Get Help Now!  

  800.815.3910 

  Available 24/7   

The road to recovery starts here! Trusted, confidential help available 24/7. Speak with an addiction treatment specialist anytime. Please call us now at 800-815-3910!


Can blood test be useful in determining addiction?

by krish

(india)

Can blood test be useful in determining addiction?

Comments for Can blood test be useful in determining addiction?

Click here to add your own comments

A blood test can show which drugs have been used recently.


by: Debbie Wicker


Dear krish,

A blood test can be useful to determine if someone is using drugs. For example, a blood test will show that opiates or methamphetamine have been used recently.

A blood test however can’t determine if someone is chemically dependent or addicted to a drug. Although, addiction is a disease of the brain, there is no definitative test for addiction.

Through research we have some information about addiction but we still know very little. Generally, in order to be considered addicted to a drug/alcohol you need to meet at least three of the criteria below:

Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance

Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance
the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms (an example taking a drink to stop from shaking)

The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended

There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use

A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects

Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use

The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance

These are the criteria for addiction to be medically diagnosed.

If two or more are present then addiction is likely.

Hope this helps,

Debbie

Click here to add your own comments


Do you have a question or story? It’s easy to ask your question or submit your story. How? Simply click here to return to Drug Addiction Symptoms.




and Finally Remember:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
– Matthew 7:7-8



Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Drug Addiction Intervention

    Jul 10, 17 08:44 AM

    Drug Addiction Intervention is a process that allows the family and friends of an addict to help convince them to go into treatment and the seriousness of their addiction problem.

    Read More

  2. Opiate Addiction Facts

    Jul 08, 17 08:22 AM

    Opiate Addiction Facts are the reasons drug addiction and alcoholism effects everyone of us even if we don’t know it.

    Read More

  3. Drug Addiction Recovery

    Jul 07, 17 08:40 AM

    Drug Addiction Recovery is different for each individual and can be either a smooth, steady path, or a seeming endless cycle of using and not using. Find out why.

    Read More


Follow on Twitter or Google+





Similar Posts

Submit Comment for I swore never again!

Bydrug-addiction-support

    Get Help Now!     800.815.3910    Available 24/7    The road to recovery starts here! Trusted, confidential help available 24/7. Speak with an addiction treatment specialist anytime. Please call us now at 800-815-3910! Post Your Comment For: I swore never again! Your Name (optional) Comment Title Your Comments (10000 characters max, no HTML…

Submit Comment for Online support group specically for prescription drug addiction?

Bydrug-addiction-support

Get Help Now! Our Blog Contact Us Home Page Post Your Comment For: Online support group specically for prescription drug addiction? Your Name (optional) Comment Title Your Comments (10000 characters max, no HTML please) Changed your mind? Decided not to comment right now? Return to Online support group specically for prescription drug addiction?. Do you…

Trying to find group?

Bydrug-addiction-support

by John (Florida) I am trying to find group in Putnam County Florida??? A Couple of Clicks Away by: Ned Wicker Dear John, Here’s a link to the AA website’s section on local meetings. Just follow the directions. http://aa.org/lang/en/central_offices.cfm?origpage=373&cmd=getgroups&state=Florida&country=United%20States Best wishes for finding a meeting. You’ll enjoy the friendship and support from your new group….

My codependent life with my addicted alcoholic daughter.

Bydrug-addiction-support

Get Help Now! Our Blog Contact Us Home Page My codependent life with my addicted alcoholic daughter. by Donna Smith Hello, I wrote a book about my codependent life with my addicted alcoholic daughter called Let Her Go. It is available in digital formats at Barnes & Noble Nook, Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, and others. Would…