One of the most complex areas of mental health is dependence or addiction on an activity or particular substance. Besides being difficult to treat, addiction is surrounded by several controversies and the different treatment options. Anyone who experiences addiction to alcohol or drugs should always check in a mental health facility to get assistance n overcoming the addiction. Check our reform service at https://www.theretreat.org.
Signs of drug and alcohol abuse
People find it hard to define and differentiate between alcohol abuse and misuse. Most often, people’s beliefs, values and opinions take the lead when defining the terms. There are people who define abuse as any use of an illegal drug with intoxication as the primary purpose. For others drug abuse is shown by negative effects which are recurring. Some of these effects are;
- Blackouts and short term memory loss.
- Lack of interest in other day to day activities
- Spending on impulse.
- Broken bonds and relationships with family, friends and intimate partners.
- Breaking laws like driving when intoxicated.
- Illness or physical injury.
- Failure to adhere to academic, work and social rules and obligations.
How do you know that abuse has become addiction?
Drug and substance abuse can easily become addiction once the amount of substance is increased and the rate of usage increases. Most addicts find it hard to control themselves from using the drugs and once they do they experience withdrawal symptoms. Getting dependent on alcohol, for instance, makes the person ill if they stop drinking all of a sudden. It doesn’t have to be drugs, people also get addicted to some activities and they have to use it mainly because they want to get rid of stress or some psychological problems. Most addicts never agree that they are depending on some drugs. Some also do not know whether they are addicted and accepting it becomes difficult. Below are common signs of dependence and addiction.
- Feeling you are unable to stop.
- Using drugs and substances binge fully- for a number of data or many hours in a day.
- Hiding yourself when using.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms whenever you stop using the drugs.
- Failure to take part in your roles and obligations.
- Resenting and dismissing thoughts of concern from your loved ones.
- Cutting off social ties with people who don’t use drugs and staying in t2he company of other users.
- Having to use the substance throughout the day.
- Increasing the need and urgency to use and consume more substance to reach the desires state of alteration.
Dealing with addiction
There are a number of programs meant to help men and women deal with addiction and to reform like drug rehab centers in Minnesota. There are therapists whose main area of specialization is addiction recovery. Such therapists help addicts set empowering and achievable short term goals to help in overcoming addiction. Once the addict becomes sober and achieves it, the person is taught to develop adaptive skills and start the journey to regain emotional and physical health.