Signs of Addiction

Millions of Americans struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol every day. Addiction is a disease of the mind, and it is characterized by many different signs and patterns of behavior. Despite negative consequences and failed efforts to stop or reduce use, drug addicts will continue to use. If you are wondering whether or not you have an addiction, or if you are worried about someone close to you that may be struggling with a drug or alcohol problem, there are a wide range of signs to look for.

Drug Addiction & Alcohol Addiction Signs

Addiction can destroy lives and in many cases lead to death or imprisonment due to drug and alcohol abuse. What may start out as recreational and occasional use can easily lead to increased tolerance and physical dependence. One of the primary characteristics of addiction to look for is the failure to resist the impulse to use. Temptation plays a huge part in addiction, and addicts find it difficult and sometimes even impossible to resist their urges to drink or take drugs. This compulsive behavior is developed over time as the condition worsens, and addicts can soon find themselves being under the influence most of if not all the time due to their lack of impulse control.

When addicts begin to realize that they have a problem, they try to stop or reduce their use, often with failed efforts. Despite suffering from health issues, problems with work or school, or alienating themselves from friends and family because of their addiction, addicts will continue to use. They may have periods of abstinence, sometimes for months or even years, but the addiction can come back at any time. When they do start to use again, the addiction is usually stronger and they use more. With continued use of drugs and alcohol, people begin to build up a tolerance. It takes increasingly more to get the initial effect each time. This can led to spending large amounts of money on drugs and alcohol and eventually having serious financial problems.

Addicts have a preoccupation with using drugs or drinking alcohol. It consumes their thoughts, and if they do not have access to substances, they may begin to suffer from withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they can even be fatal in some cases. These involve anxiety, depression, tremors, headaches, nausea, vomiting and even seizures. If you experience any of these symptoms when you are not under the influence or coming down from drugs or alcohol, you most likely have an addiction.

Physical & Behavioral Signs of Addiction

When people take drugs and alcohol for extended periods of time, they may begin to exhibit physical and outward signs of their addiction. These involve an overall decline in physical appearance, such as weight gain or loss, looking disheveled, poor hygiene, always looking tired, paleness, and even losing teeth with some types of drug use. Behavioral signs include being secretive or sneaky, being inaccessible for long periods of time, sleeping more or less than usual, and hanging out with people that also drink or use. Many of these behaviors result in no longer participating in normal activities and dropping them to drink or use instead.

Rehab

For most addicts, they cannot stop without professional help. There are thousands of drug rehab and alcohol rehab centers across the country. If you or someone you know is addicted to drugs or alcohol, there is help available. Many health care plans are also starting to cover the costs of drug and alcohol treatment as well. Since addiction has been recognized as a disease, health care organizations and medical professionals are treating it like one. Before your life or the life of someone close to you spirals out of control, looking into the options for rehab may be the best answer.

Addiction Abuse

Addiction and abuse are commonly confused and therefore discussed in the same way. Although they are both very dangerous and similar in that way, there are also many things that differentiate the two. Addiction is a state of physical or psychological dependence on a potentially harmful drug. A person who has an addiction will continue to use the addictive substance despite the adverse consequences that it is causing in their lives. Sometimes these detrimental effects can take place in the workplace, at home, or seemingly everywhere in a person's life. This is where abuse differs from addiction. Drug abuse is generally considered to be excessive and/or illegal drug use. When this drug use begins to severely affect an individual's personal and/or professional relationships, it is very important that they seek help for the drug abuse that has become an addiction.

Often used in excess, alcohol is a drug that best demonstrates drug addiction abuse. Alcohol abuse is very common, especially among the young population (ages 18-30). But, when this abuse and source of new found freedom gets out of hand, addiction may creep in – perhaps unknowingly at first. Alcohol abuse can quickly lead to alcohol addiction abuse. Some people are more receptive to this change, whereas others have more control over their drinking habits. This does not mean that they are better or worse as individuals, it just means that some people are more susceptible to drug addiction and abuse because of the way their brains are built and function. This is not limited to alcohol addiction – it is applicable for all drug abuse situations.

Abuse and addiction tend to go hand in hand. Addiction abuse is basically the relationship that drug use has with a person's brain. Some people have addictive personalities, where they feel that once they start doing something that they like, they have to keep doing it, no matter what. Obsessive and compulsive are words that usually accompany people with addictive personalities. However, a person does not need to be naturally inclined toward addictive tendencies, nor does this mean that they will end up addicted to drugs if they are so naturally inclined. Anyone can become addicted to drugs if they begin to abuse them. Some drugs are more addictive than others, and each person reacts differently to specific drug use.

There are many different factors that affect the outcome of drug use and abuse. Some people and some drugs are more likely to produce addicts. If you or a loved one feel that your drug use has surpassed normalcy and become abuse or addiction, do not hesitate to get help. It is not your fault, but it is up to you to change your life. Finding a treatment center that speaks to who you are, and acknowledges how each addiction is unique, will help you fight your addiction. Through a treatment center like Ambrosia Treatment Center, you will become acquainted with your drug addiction in a way that allows you to work past the cravings and the triggers. You will become strong enough to maintain your sobriety – but, it all has to start somewhere. Call today.

Why Should I Go To Drug Rehab?

Drug addiction can be a confusing affliction, and it is something that has affected millions of Americans over the years. Drug rehab is a very important step for understanding what drug addiction is and how it affects you and those around you. Today, drug abuse is seen as a disease, and rightly so. Because excessive drug use targets the brain in ways that encourage compulsive use, a person may find that becoming sober is impossible to do on their own. Also, many people who suffer from a chemical dependence or physical drug addiction are suffering from a psychological addiction as well. In addition to their compulsive drug use, many addicts discover that they are also afflicted with another co-occuring diagnosis. This is generally referred to as dual diagnosis.

In order to understand drug addiction, one must accept that it is a disease and not a personal choice. It is a common misconception that those who are addicted to drugs are addicted because that is their lifestyle. Although it is often true that the initial taking of a drug is a person's choice, the end result is never a way someone would choose to live. So, why would a person be living that way, doing the things they are doing, if it is not by choice? Because chemical dependence begins to form. Addictive drugs interact with a person's brain in such a way as to encourage the constant and continual use. The drug attaches to or mimics the natural receptors in a brain cell, causing it to change in an unnatural way. With this change is an overwhelmingly pleasurable feeling (the high that accompanies addictive substances), which signals to your brain that doing drugs is a good thing when, in fact, it is quite the opposite. Going to a rehab center will help you learn about this process, and help you to find healthy ways to deal with the drug cravings that will ensue because of these mixed brain signals.

Often times, drug addiction is co-occuring with another disease such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Dual diagnosis is very commonly overlooked when dealing with a drug addiction on one's own. This is because you may not realize that you have an additional and different problem. Drugs tend to mask the symptoms of another disorder, or vice versa. For example, you may be afflicted with both anxiety and an addiction. Because of the anxiety, you are always on edge, and with alcohol in your system, you can feel courageous and bold. However, this is process of self-medicating is very unhealthy. By using drugs to self-medicate for another disease, you are merely worsening your overall situation. In a specialized treatment center, this problem can be completely assessed, and you can be treated in your entirety – not just for your substance abuse issue.

You may be thinking, “Well, what is drug rehab and what can it honestly do for me that I haven't already tried?” Rehabilitation is extremely important in drug treatment of any kind. You will be astonished at the quality of the help and the expertise of the physicians and therapists who you will work with. Drug abuse is one of the most difficult problems to face, especially alone. At a drug treatment center, you don't have to go it alone. Not only is the staff there to help you, but your peers are there to provide support as well. They are all going through similar situations like yours. Don't wait to get the help you need – get your life back on track!