Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a condition that affects millions of individuals and their families every day. The devastation that drug addiction leaves in its wake can be felt in relationships, careers and the health of the individual. Sadly, the majority of people who suffer from a drug addiction will never seek the help they need. Instead of contacting a drug rehab facility, they will remain isolated, falling deeper and deeper into the cycle of addiction over the course of time.
The following information is designed to help individuals who believe they may have an addiction to drugs, as well as concerned family and friends who want to help but are not sure where to begin.
How is Drug Addiction Defined by Doctors?
Medical professionals may sometimes disagree in their definition of drug addiction - however there are several hallmark symptoms which almost always indicate that there is a problem:
- The individual has an intense craving for the drug in question
- When the individual is not taking the drug they experience withdrawal symptoms
- The individual has developed a tolerance to the drug – in other words, they need more and more of the substance over time in order to obtain the desired euphoric or stimulant effect.
- The individual is unable to stop taking the drug despite a clear understanding of the harm that it is causing them in terms of their health, personal relationships, well-being and/or finances.
Who is at Risk for Developing a Drug Addiction?
While drug addiction can strike anyone of any age or gender, there are several groups of people who are at higher risk that others. These groups include:
- Individuals with a family history of addiction. Studies have found that people who have a parent or close relation with a history of drug addiction will be predisposed to having one themselves (given appropriate environmental conditions).
- Individuals who have been abused. Men and women who suffered traumatic physical or sexual abuse in their past are more likely to develop a drug addiction than the general population. They turn to drugs as a means of masking or numbing the pain these past events have brought into their lives.
- Women. Women who are co-dependent relationships, are struggling with self-image issues or have been sexually assaulted are all at risk for developing a drug addiction. In the case of co-dependency, many women use drugs because their significant other does as well. They fear that if they stop using they lose the relationship as well.
- Individuals with a mental illness. It is believed that a large percentage of those individuals who have a drug addiction are also suffering from a mental illness. Most commonly, these individuals have conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and other common but serious illnesses. This is a dangerous mix, as each condition tends to make the other worse.
What are Most Common Types of Drug Addiction?
There are a number of different drugs which currently rank among the most prevalent in the United Sates, including:
- Heroin addiction. This powerful opiate remains one of the most dangerous in the world. The constant fear of overdose, long term health problems and the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS all make heroin addiction a certified killer.
- Marijuana addiction. While medical professionals debate whether or not marijuana is technically addictive, the drug continues to keep individuals from reaching their full potential and even acts as a gateway drug to more serious substances.
- Cocaine addiction. Although cocaine use is nowhere near its peak from the 1980’s and 1990’s thousands of people each day enter drug rehab in an attempt to break free from the strong psychological pull of cocaine addiction.
- Prescription drug addiction. Easier to access than ever before thanks to the Internet, prescription painkillers are fast becoming the drug of choice for young people around the country. These opiates, including Vicodin and OxyContin, are highly addictive and can be as dangerous as heroin if given the wrong set of circumstances.
How is Drug Addiction Treated?
The most effective way to treat a drug addiction is through drug rehab. A drug rehab program helps address the physical and psychological components of addiction through detox, counseling and aftercare.
- Detox. Detox is the process of cleansing the body so that all the harmful toxins related to drug use are flushed out. During withdrawal the individual may experience a series of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, restlessness, sleeplessness and relapse.
- Counseling. Individual and group counseling help remove the isolation element from drug addiction. Talking to professional therapists and (in the case of group counseling) fellow recovering addicts can represent a real breakthrough on the road to recovery.
- Aftercare. Aftercare programs help recovering addicts make the transition from drug rehab back into mainstream society. Common forms of aftercare programs include 12-step meetings, follow-up counseling and sober living facilities.
Michael’s House is a residential drug treatment facility located in Palm Springs, California. At Michael’s House, the recovering addict receives round-the-clock care that enriches the mind, body and spirit. Contact Michael’s House today for more information.
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