You may not be objective and admit that you, indeed, have an issue with drugs and/or alcohol. On the off chance that substance abuse is causing negative impacts throughout your life, it is ideal that you investigate your life and see if you have a drug abuse problem. Once you acknowledge that, you're well on the way to recuperation. After that, you would have to work through the steps of attaining sobriety.
Numerous folks choose to forego treatment since they feel they haven't hit absolute bottom, or they just don't think their drug problem is terrible enough. Most people think that unless you hit rock bottom, you don't really need help. This is a very flawed way of looking at the issue. The reality of the situation is: in case you're addressing whether you need assistance getting sober, then you likely do. This is particularly obvious when the likes of heroin and opioids are involved. The same can be said for alcohol.
We can help. You can overcome drug addiction and have a better life than you ever thought possible!
Not every person who uses drugs and varied substances is dependent on them. Certain people may build up tolerance to a substance and while remaining free of addiction. It is important to distinguish between addiction, tolerance, and drug dependence.
Tolerance: Adaptation to the salient effects of a drug or substance which results in reduced effectiveness over time.
Dependence: This happens when your body adapts - physically - to the presence of a foreign substance. It is characterized by uncomfortable bodily reactions, known as withdrawal symptoms, when you reduce or cut out the use of intoxicating substances.
Addiction: This is a primary, chronic ailment that is shaped by genetic, environmental and psychosocial factors. When addicted, it feels impossible to live without using the substance. Addicts are often aware that their drug use and abuse is negatively impacting their lives, but they persist with it anyway.
Prescription opioids are not the main drugs which can prompt physical dependence after a period of time. The body can build dependence on corticosteroids, beta blockers, and antidepressants so as to function normally, without the drug user building up tolerance. Non-opiates such as sugar, caffeine, and nicotine may also lead to dependence. Then again, it is true that some people can develop addictions without necessarily developing physical dependence to drugs or alcohol.
The other thing is this: the brain pathways which are responsible for addiction to such drugs as heroin are not the same with those responsible for the development of physical dependence. When you abuse a substance, your brain's reward and pleasure pathway will maintain pleasure signals. On the other hand, the brain stem and the thalamus will relay signals that will lead to root dependence.
In any case, reliance to a substance - like drugs and alcohol - may require ongoing treatment so as to forestall the development of an addiction. For doctor prescriptions, your primary care physician can work with you so that slowly but steadily, you reduce doses without triggering the development of withdrawal symptoms. Likewise, outpatient detox and rehab centers may likewise give medications that work to decrease withdrawal indications.
If your day to day life and your relationships are being negatively impacted by your drug use, then it's likelier than not that you have an addiction. Addiction, as is the case with many things, is diagnosed on a spectrum. You can have a mild addiction, a moderate one or a severe one.
Typically, these physical signs are often the first ones to appear. Look for the following signs so that you know if you need rehab or not:
Mental or psychological addiction signs which may inform you that you do require rehab include:
Some of the typical social signs of ongoing addiction will usually affect your personal as well as professional lifestyle. These include:
Deep down, you believe you have an addiction. However, your friends keep telling you, "You're fine, buddy! We know an addict when we see one!" In this situation, ask yourself:
If this is true of them, then there is a high chance that they are afraid of losing a drinking/drug abuse buddy. A lot of the time, people like this know they have a problem. They are just too afraid to acknowledge it. Your friends should be able to support your decision to get sober.
If you have been hiding your drug use from them, then they may not be aware of the issue. It will probably be the first time they are hearing about it, and they may have a hard time believing that you use drugs, let alone that you may be addicted.
They may say, "But I am your friend! I would have known if you are addicted. You're probably overreacting!" Take this as your opportunity to come clean to them and be candid with them about your drug use problem. Few things are as effective in the journey to sobriety as a proper support structure by friends.
Perhaps, you do not enjoy the kind of friendship that allows for directness and complete honesty. It could even be that they realize that you have a problem but are afraid of ruining the friendship by confronting you.
Unless your buddy is professionally qualified to give you a diagnosis, it will be necessary to have a doctor or a mental health pro dissect and analyze your situation from an objective standpoint.
There are people who run their jobs with the utmost of professionalism; they cater to their family's needs as well as anyone else can and maintain friendships and their social circle all while having an addiction. In this case, you would be classified as a high functioning addict.
These people live a double like in that they maintain a high level of professionalism all while battling their addiction. They often like to tell themselves that their addiction helps them get ahead. In truth, they're often wrong.
A high functioning addict will often have problems with denial. You will feel like you are in control, seeing as you keep your life in an even keel. However, it is likely that your addiction is worse than you realize.
If you insist on keeping up the fa-ade, here is how it often pans out, ultimately: for many, the fa-ade falls apart, by and by, until their problems are laid bare for everyone to see. For others, it might take a life-changing event, including an accidental overdose or getting a DUI. Instead of waiting for the inevitable, grim awakening, why not get help immediately?
There is a variety of rehab programs for those with alcohol and drug problems. Inpatient rehab programs are the most intensive, with around-the-clock attention. They are also the costliest, and you will be required to stay at the facility for the duration of your treatment.
Partial hospitalization programs are also available for those who can benefit from structure and guidance, but are also stable enough to live at home. After receiving intensive care and attention for several hours in the day, they will be allowed to go back home, or even to spend the night in a sober living home.
Outpatient programs are less intensive. They allow you to live at home for the duration of treatment. They minimize the impact that drug rehab has on such obligations as school and work.
Regardless of the format which you prefer, most drug and alcohol rehabs have similar structures. The professionals who work there know that quitting cold turkey often triggers withdrawal symptoms, some of which may be severe. As such, detox is carried out in a controlled environment.
Other integral parts of rehab programs will include behavioral therapy. This is a treatment form whose aim is to change drinking and drug use behavior. Individual and group counselling as well as peer support groups are also included. Some drug rehab centers may also prescribe medications which will help to manage withdrawal symptoms. They will also help insure against potential relapsing.
Other integral parts of drug and alcohol rehab programs include behavioral therapy, a form of treatment that aims to change drinking behavior, individual and group counseling, and peer support groups. However, medications work best as part of a well-rounded rehab program. They can be used alone, but you will have greater success if they are included as part of a rehab program.
Addiction is measured on a spectrum. As such, it is true that a mild diagnosis can be just as bad as a severe one. It is easy to say, "I could be worse." However, it is vital that you recognize that addiction is a progressive disease. This means that it will get worse. If you are only mildly addicted presently, you will likely become moderately addicted down the line, and severely addicted further down the line.
Addiction, much like hypertension, asthma, cancer and diabetes, is a chronic disease. Say, you were diagnosed with stage 1 cancer- would you not look to have some form of treatment immediately so as to prevent it from getting worse? You do not have to wait to hit rock bottom to require treatment. It is best to get help before the problem gets out of hand. For a vast majority of addicts who live in denial, the problem eventually does get out of hand.
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