Drug: Addiction and Abuse

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse

Signs and symptoms of drug addiction and drug abuse include, wanting to use drugs regularly, gaining weight, losing weight, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, pale skin, red eyes, always tired, not paying the bills, trying to get loans, anxious when not using, doing risky activities, losing your job, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms in the absence of drugs, among others.

Physical, Mental, and Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms

• Panic attacks, Anxiety, Irritability, Restlessness
• Depression can cause a lack of enjoyment, social isolation, poor appetite, and fatigue
• Heart rates increase, heart skips beats, and palpitations
• Stomach aches, nausea, and diarrhea as well as vomiting
• Sweating and tingling in the skin
• Muscles are tense, twitch at times, shivering, aches at times

Causes of Drug Addiction

There can be many causes of drug addiction. Biological causes can be due to unique genetics and physiology. Psychological is when people find the benefits of a drug more important than the harm it does. Socio-cultural causes are based on your social environment and the culture you grow up in. Spirituality can be when you have lost connection with self and have a higher belief system that, according to you, allows the drug intake.

Drug Addiction Treatment

Detox tends to be the very first step in the treatment of drug addiction. It is not an easy process to undergo detox. The withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and hard to fight through. Therefore, supervision is needed during this detox period. The other available treatments for complete recovery include:

Residential Treatment

Inpatient treatment is best for people whose addiction has progressed significantly and may need supervision. Inpatient treatment can last one-month, multiple months, or even a year or more. It depends on the severity of your drug addiction, the type of drugs you may be using your recovery journey.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is generally for less severe cases, cases that have already been treated in inpatient facilities, or for people suffering from drug addiction who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to go to inpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment usually includes a few hours of classes, groups, social support and 12-step meetings two or three times a week.

Programs and Support Groups

12 step programs are very popular for the treatment of drug addicts. Support groups that are available for both men and women are Marijuana Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous among other. You get hope, strength and an outline for dealing with your drug addiction in 12 step programs and support groups.

Addiction Counseling

Addiction counseling includes psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and counselor's providing patient assessments, screening, treatment plan development, guidance and supervision throughout your drug addiction treatment and recovery journey.

Drug Addiction Relapse

Relapse is when you start taking drugs again after being sober. Factors that can cause relapse are peer pressure, insecurity, challenging circumstances, etc. Relapse can be prevented with proper methods and treatment programs that are supportive and focus on relapse management. Having a relapse prevention plan can help to increase your odds of having a positive outcome.