Treating Addiction
Many people like to promote the myth that addictions can be overcome with willpower. Sadly, this is not true.
When people use drugs, particularly over stretches of time, their brain changes in response to prolonged exposure to those drugs. Their cravings tend to get stronger, and they may feel compelled to use more of the drugs. This biological reality makes quitting alone very difficult. Thanks to drug and alcohol recovery programs, there is no reason to go through the recovery process in a vacuum. These programs provide addicts with the support they need to rehabilitate.
When to seek help:
Many people think that they have to reach rock bottom before they seek help. They justify to themselves that the addiction isn’t bad enough to warrant treatment. The truth is that it is never too soon to get help. Sadly, the more intense an addiction is, the harder it is to treat.
If drugs or alcohol is causing problems in your life, the time to get help is now. If you are concerned about the drug or alcohol use of a friend or family member, there is no reason to wait until their
problem gets worse. You should talk to them now about the benefits of a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
Symptoms of Drug or Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Although the side effects of different drugs vary, the symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse are similar. If an individual is abusing alcohol or drugs, he or she may exhibit some of the following symptoms:
Ignoring responsibilities in school, at work or at home. Taking drugs in dangerous situations, including while driving. Engaging in uncharacteristically risky behavior like having unprotected sex or using dirty needles while high. Stealing to support a drug habit. Allowing drug use to cause issues in personal relationships with family members, friends or coworkers. Abusing drugs or alcohol is not necessarily the same as being addicted to them. If people are abusing drugs, it is time to to undergo intervention so that they can stop before they become addicted. To determine whether or not you or someone you love
is already addicted to drugs, you should look for the following symptoms:
Increased tolerance, which leads to increased use to feel the same effects. The use of drugs to avoid physical symptoms of withdrawal. Uncontrolled use of drugs although you planned not to or even
though you want to quit. A life that seems too focused on finding drugs, using them and
recovering from them. The abandonment of activities that you used to enjoy so that you can use drugs instead. The continuation of drug use in spite of acknowledging that it is hurting you
Helping Friends and Family Members
If you are worried about a loved one's drug or alcohol abuse, you
should look for the symptoms listed above. If you cannot identify
any of the above symptoms, you may want to look for physical
symptoms instead. These can often be easier to spot.
When people are addicted to drugs, they may have bloodshot
eyes, dilated pupils, unexplained changes in their weight,
alterations in their sleep patterns and changes to how much they
eat. You may also notice that they lose interest in taking care of
themselves physically. Their clothes may be dirty, and they may
smell bad. They may also show signs like shaking, slurred speech
or a lack of coordination.
If you or a loved one is ready to get help, we can guide you through the process.
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