Addiction is a physical and psychological need to continue to use or do something despite its effects. Developing a drug addiction can lead to serious health issues and mental and psychological problems as well. If you think you or a loved one think you have a drug problem, this article may help. We’ll discuss the signs of substance use disorder and how someone can identify those in themselves and then guide them in the right direction for seeking treatment.
Are all drugs addictive?
Many people assume that the only drugs that are addictive are illegal ones like heroin or crystal meth. However, even over-the-counter prescriptions, sleeping pills, and pain relievers can become addictive. The more someone uses and relies on a drug, the more addictive it becomes.
How do drugs affect my brain?
Most drugs release dopamine when taken, causing the user to feel euphoric. Surges of euphoria that come from taking drugs create an unhealthy reliance on drugs to recreate those feelings. The more you use drugs, the greater the tolerance you build…meaning that you need to take more to feel the same rush of pleasure. Long-term use can change the way your brain functions as it adapts to learning, making decisions, and reacting to stress.
Am I at risk for developing an addiction?
Anyone who overuses a drug is at risk for developing an addiction; however, other factors also increase your risk of abusing drugs.
Genetics: If someone in your family has a history of drug or alcohol addiction, you are more at risk of becoming a drug abuser.
Age of initial drug use: If you start using drugs at a young age, you have a higher risk of developing a disorder.
Mental health disorder: If you have anxiety or psychiatric illness and are using drugs, it can increase your risk of addiction.
Don’t allow your situational factors to influence you. If all your friends are drinking or using drugs or if you live in a culture that promotes heavy drinking, you may be tempted to join in. Know your risks for developing an addiction before you are in these situations.
How do I know if I’m an addict?
When you are out casually getting drinks with your friends, you aren’t worried about drug addiction. Drinking alcohol and even using recreational drugs can sometimes feel so commonplace that we don’t realize when our relationship with drugs becomes a problem. However, there are signs that will alert you and others to a potential substance abuse problem.
Behavioral signs
- A drop in performance at work or school
- Borrowing or stealing money
- Acting secretive
- Socializing with new friends
- Causing fights or accidents
- Having trouble doing normal activities
- Not getting along with others
- Mood swings
Health signs
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Bloodshot eyes
- Bad breath
- Frequent bloody noses
- Gaining or losing weight
- Slurred speech
- Impaired coordination
- Deterioration in grooming habits
If you notice that you are using drugs to avoid something else, like financial, family, or stress problems, then you are using it as a tool to cope. Using drugs to cope has a negative effect on your relationships, career, and health. Drug abuse is treatable at any stage, so don’t wait to get help.
What should I do if I realize I have a drug problem?
Recognizing that you have a drug problem is a large and important step. While it can be necessary for a friend or loved one to step in and help you realize the problem, recognizing it yourself can make the recovery and treatment process a little easier.
Talk to a health professional
The first thing you should do when realizing you have a drug problem is to talk to someone. Confiding in someone can help you have support as you get help. The most important person you should talk to is your doctor or another health professional. They will work with you to understand where you are at and help to curate a plan that will work best for you. Health professionals will also discuss the health risks that come from drug abuse in further detail which can help encourage you to avoid relapsing.
Seek out support
Some people, when realizing they have a drug problem, want to manage it on their own without the help of a doctor or support team. While that may seem like the easy way to do it, it’s actually much harder. Managing withdrawal on your own is challenging and even potentially dangerous depending on your level of addiction. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing the issue with a doctor, at least talk to someone you can trust about it or call a support hotline.
What treatment is there for drug abuse?
Receiving treatment for drug abuse is a brave step because it’s not easy. It is hard to recognize and admit that you have a problem and put in the effort to go through treatment. The best way to get the right help and treatment plan for you is to talk with a doctor or behavioral counselor who can help customize a treatment plan to your needs. Treatment typically includes medical and mental health services, including tools to treat withdrawal symptoms and evaluations on mental health. Follow-up care after the treatment plan is finished may be completed by a community or family-based recovery program. However, there are a variety of treatment options to find the one best suited for you.
How can I be sure that treatment will work?
Treating addiction is complicated, but the work mostly relies on you. Doctors, nurses, counselors, and your support system can only do so much to help you. The rest is up to you. Addiction treatment requires that you stop using drugs and remain drug-free while still being productive in society. Successful treatments rely on you sticking to your program, detoxifying, going to counseling, and participating in follow-up evaluations.
The biggest step in fighting addiction is to recognize and admit that you have a problem. Admitting that you have a dependence on drugs takes humility, but it will allow you to move forward and heal. At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we are here to help you in your recovery journey. Call us if you are seeking addiction treatment or have any questions about our treatment services.
Sources:
https://au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-tell-if-you-have-a-drug-problem
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/drug-abuse-and-addiction.htm
