Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse
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What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse refers to the heavy use of drugs or alcohol at a level that falls outside of the norms set by society. Substance abuse also has the individual engaging in behavior that is a detriment to their own well-being. For those engaging in substance abuse the personal cost can be significant. -including health and social problems that affect not only the individual -but their friends, family and loved ones as well.

When substance abuse reaches a problematic stage, the individual is urged to seek professional help from an alcohol or drug rehab center.

What Causes Substance Abuse?

There are a number of factors which can lead to substance abuse. They vary according to age, gender and socio-economic group, but most commonly include:

  • Struggles with a poor home environment
  • Poor parenting or bad parental examples
  • A lack of proper social skills
  • Association with a drug-oriented peer group

 

In addition, an individual may be genetically predisposed to substance abuse. If an individual has a parent or other relative who suffered from a substance abuse problem, they will be more likely to have a substance abuse problem or drug addiction themselves given the right set of environmental circumstances.

What are the Most Common Forms of Substance Abuse?

Throughout the world, substance abuse means different things to different cultures. In the United States, substance abuse is a wide-sweeping term that encompasses the dangerous use of many substances, including:

  • Alcohol
  • Marijuana
  • Cocaine
  • Prescription painkillers (such as Vicodin and OxyContin)
  • Heroin
  • Crystal meth
  • Inhalants

 

Individuals may suffer from one or more different types of substance abuse concurrently. Given that the drugs above do not “mix” well together, this can put the individual at an even greater risk for health problems and even death.

Is Substance Abuse the Same as Addiction?

Substance abuse is not, technically addiction, however it often leads to addiction. If a substance abuse is allowed to go unchecked, the individual may indeed develop a drug addiction or alcohol addiction. The classic difference between the two is that substance abuse refers to heavy use of drugs or alcohol that puts one’s well-being at risk. Addiction is a physical or psychological dependence on the substance (typified by withdrawal, cravings, the building of tolerance, etc.)

What are the symptoms of substance abuse?

Common symptoms of substance abuse include: regular and excessive use of drugs or alcohol, having to use more and more of the substance in question to achieve a “high”, having memory blackouts, depression and suicidal thoughts. Addiction treatment professionals are well-versed in spotting these and other signs, and will tailor their treatment accordingly for the individual.

What to do about a substance abuse problem?

If a person you know is having substance abuse issues it is important to help them get the care they need. Interventions are a good place to start. With the help of a substance abuse professional, an intervention helps you confront the person with the problem. Most substance abusers will not come to this realization on their own, so the help of family and friends is a crucial first step.

When intervention is complete, drug rehab or alcohol rehab is likely to be the next step. Alcohol and drug rehab centers are staffed by experts at helping people with substance abuse issues. The professionals at substance abuse rehab facilities provide medical treatments and psychological help for the individual.

The first step in the process generally revolves around detox. Alcohol detox and drug detox help the individual overcome the physical component of substance abuse by cleansing the system of harmful toxins. During this process, the individual is likely to experience a series of withdrawal symptoms that include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Strong drug cravings
  • Chills and fever
  • Relapse
  • Suicidal thoughts

 

While most of these symptoms (except for suicidal thoughts) are not considered life-threatening, the often lead to individuals leaving their program and relapsing into the substance abuse behavior.

The psychological part of the substance abuse rehab process introduces group and one-on-one counseling to the individual, so that he or she can discuss problems and share with a like-minded peer group. Substance abuse rehab is a proven-effective method for helping people get off drugs, and then, changing their habits and behaviors so that they stay clean.

As wide spread as our substance abuse problem seems to be in this country, there is still hope for the future. By continuing to educate our children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, we are creating a different mind-set, and hopefully a future without substance abuse problems for our next generation.

Talking to Kids about Substance Abuse

Parents are urged to talk to their children about substance abuse before they have an opportunity to start experimenting. To help kids stay off of drugs or alcohol, parents should:

  • Be open and honest with them about the dangers of drugs or alcohol
  • Set a good example by not using drugs or drinking alcohol to excess
  • Doing their “homework” and learning about the drugs used most commonly among young people -as well as their effects and “street” names.

 

Communication and good information are the greatest weapons parents have in the fight against substance abuse in their children. Waiting too long (say, when the child is a teenager) will only make it harder to use these “weapons” in the most effective manner possible.

The staff at Michael’s House works tirelessly to help their patients achieve sobriety. This residential treatment facility, located in Palm Springs, California, is one of the most well-regarded of its kind in the United States. They offer a “whole body” approach to treatment that uplifts the mind, spirit and body of the individual. Contact Michael’s House today for more information.