What is drug addiction characterized by? When an individual yields to the grip of addiction, it becomes difficult to quit. Knowing how drug or alcohol addiction occurs will help teach you how to beat it and get your life back! Let’s define drug and alcohol addiction, shall we?
What Is Drug Addiction?
Drug and alcohol addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. Addiction does not happen overnight, it slowly starts developing when a person continues to use drugs or alcohol regardless of its damage.
Marijuana, nicotine, opioids, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and alcohol are commonly misused substances in today’s world.
What Causes Drug Addiction?
If an individual experiments with a controlled substance in a social situation, it can eventually become a habit. An example is the experimental use of drugs or alcohol at a party.
Substances like nicotine and alcohol can affect the way a person feels. Some individuals enjoy the mental and physical euphoria these substances offer.
In several cases, the user can get obsessed with such feelings, which ultimately causes the person to become addicted to that particular substance. In the end, such a lifestyle often results in various physical, social, and mental impairments.
Signs of Addiction
Drug and alcohol addiction is a growing issue in the United States. If you’re troubled that you or a loved one is addicted to a particular substance, here are some signs to watch out for:
- Continuously taking a drug after it is no longer required for a health issue.
- Shaking, sweating, headaches, and depression when not using drugs or alcohol.
- Always tired and not hungry. In some cases, the individual may experience fever or seizures when not using drugs or alcohol.
- The urge to take more substance to get the same effects.
- The inability to stop using, even though you want to.
- The use of drugs, even if it causes you to have trouble with the law, your family, friends, and work.
- Spending so much time thinking about getting more drugs or alcohol, how it will make you feel, or how awful you feel afterward.
- You find it hard to stop. You might say you’ll just take “a little,” but then you end up more than that amount.
- The things you love no longer interest you.
- You start having issues doing everyday daily tasks.
- You steal or borrow money to buy drugs.
- You conceal the effect your addiction is having on you from your loved ones.
- You look and smell different and have regular bloody noses.
- You take medications with other drugs or alcohol.
- You visit several doctors to get prescriptions for the same drug or issue.
- You make new friends that do drugs and alcohol.
- You check other people’s drug cabinets for drugs to steal.
Treatment for Drug Addiction
The purpose of addiction treatment is to teach an addict the correct coping skills to use in life that don’t involve using drugs or alcohol. There are various forms of addiction treatment:
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Detoxification
This treatment gives promising outcomes in several cases and is generally considered the first step of addiction treatment. It is the process of facilitating the safe removal of drugs or alcohol from an addict’s body. A medically managed and supervised detox and withdrawal therapy is essential for starting your treatment off on the right foot.
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Medications
An individual might take medication consistently when recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction and its related complications. The use of medications helps minimize cravings and avert relapse or a return to abusing drugs after recovering.
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Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy is a combined treatment plan performed by a licensed alcohol or drug counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
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Self-help Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are support groups that help people with drug addiction disorders.
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Rehabilitation Programs
Rehabilitation programs can be highly effective. It focuses on helping you stay drug-free and resume normal activities like working, socializing, and family responsibilities.
At Hillside Mission located in Orange County, CA, we created a care program, and offer a safe environment for our clients to get sober in. If you or someone you care about is dealing with a drug or alcohol addiction, don’t lose hope, help is here and waiting for you!
Seek Help for Drug and Alcohol Addiction at Hillside Mission
Hillside Mission recovery center is a recognized leader in drug and alcohol addiction treatment serving several clients in Orange County, San Diego County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.
We provide high quality, evidence-based care that leads to long-term sustainable recovery for each client that walks in our doors.
With services like detoxification, residential inpatient, addiction therapies, we will provide you with a life-changing experience and the finest care in Southern California.
