You firmly decide to quit alcohol (or any other drug), but suddenly you experience an uncontrolled urge to drink, and you give in to this urge, thinking it’s just once, and it goes on and on. You spend several hours each day involved in gaming (or gambling), thinking every time that this will be the last game, bet, or gamble, but you cannot stop yourself from going for the next round.
What is Drug Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disorder with biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors influencing its initiation and maintenance. The use of drugs or any behavioural addiction starts as a voluntary or an impulsive act.
By nature, this behaviour leads to an emotional high or a reward. This is followed by an urge to re-experience the high or reward. With repeated use, this urge gradually intensifies and leads to brain alterations. In simple terms, the brain stops making the chemicals that elevate the moods or cause a high, as the use of drugs is supplying them.
As soon as the brain gets accustomed to it, it craves more drugs for the same effect. Gradually the person loses control over this behaviour, and it becomes a compulsive act to avoid discomfort. People dealing with addiction encounter problems in their family, work, and social life. Drugs or behaviour precedes everything else in life, making getting the proper drug addiction treatment critical.
Why do addicts look for more Drugs over time?
Upon taking drugs, people feel intoxicated. When they keep taking it, it results in changing brain functioning. When the person doesn’t take drugs, he or she feels discomfort and seeks drugs to keep going.
Addiction is a complex condition that alters the brain’s reward system, making it difficult for individuals to control their impulses and seek pleasurable experiences. As addicts continue to use drugs, they develop a tolerance, meaning they need more substance to achieve the same effects.
This cycle increases drug use and can cause physical and psychological dependence. Additionally, addiction changes the brain’s chemistry, leading to intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms if the drug is unavailable.
These cravings are often triggered by environmental cues, such as being in a location where the drug was previously used or seeing someone who previously used the drug with the individual. As a result, addicts may constantly need to seek out more drugs to satisfy their cravings and maintain their addiction. Breaking the cycle of addiction requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the condition’s physical and psychological aspects. Addiction can be fatal in the long run if it is not treated at the right time.
Why Is Drug Addiction Treatment Important?
Drug addiction is a complex disease that can severely affect an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It not only affects the person who is addicted but also harms their family, friends, and society. Therefore, it is essential to seek treatment for drug addiction.
Drug addiction treatments are crucial because they can help individuals overcome their severe addiction and regain control of their lives. It can involve various forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and family therapy. The treatment aims to address the underlying causes of addiction, whether biological, psychological, or environmental.
It can also help individuals manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and cause physical and mental discomfort, making it challenging to quit drugs. Drug addiction treatment can provide medication-assisted treatment that can ease withdrawal symptoms, making a recovery more manageable.
Drugs addiction treatment can help individuals learn new coping strategies and life skills that can help them manage stress and avoid relapse. It can also help individuals rebuild their relationships and restore their physical and mental health.
What Are Different Types Of Addiction & Substance Abuse?
Addiction and substance abuse can come in various forms and affect individuals differently.
- Alcohol addiction is one of the most common types of addiction and substance abuse, where individuals consume excessive amounts of alcohol regularly.
- Drug addiction involves the compulsive use of drugs such as opioids, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Prescription drug abuse is also becoming increasingly prevalent, where individuals abuse prescription medications by using them in ways other than prescribed or without a prescription.
- Nicotine addiction is another type involving the habitual use of tobacco products, such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco.
- Behavioural addiction includes gambling or internet addiction, which can severely affect an individual’s life.
Understanding the different types of addiction and substance abuse can help individuals and their loved ones identify warning signs early and seek appropriate treatment to overcome addiction and achieve long-term recovery.
What are the Prime Symptoms of Drug Addiction?
Some of the most common symptoms comprise of
- Craving
- Inability to stop drug use despite physical or psychological ill health
- Unable to concentrate
- Unable to complete tasks
- Engaging in high-risk behaviours
- Loss of appetite and sleep disturbances
What are the causes and risk factors of substance abuse?
- Early exposure to drugs
- Personality issues
- Genetics
- Environmental and cultural factors
- People with other mental illnesses deal with painful feelings, anxiety, depression, and loneliness by using drugs.
How does drug use affect a person?
- Acute withdrawal or intoxication can lead to life-threatening problems like delirium and seizures.
- Physical complications like liver disorders from alcohol use and heart and lung diseases from smoking
- Triggers psychiatric illnesses like depression, psychosis
- Suicidal tendencies
How can substance abuse be treated?
- Medication
- Drugs to reduce withdrawal symptoms
- Anti-craving agents
- Anxiolytics
- Psychotherapy
- Motivation enhancement therapy
- Relapse prevention
- Group therapy and support groups
If you’re looking for the right drug addiction treatment centre, look no more. We can help you recover from addiction and resume a healthy life. Call +91 9811006930 and speak to any office staff to learn more or schedule an appointment.
