These days we’re all experiencing more stress and anxiety. It’s been hard.
If you’re drinking more alcohol than usual or starting to use drugs to ease the tension, and think you might have the start of a problem, find out for sure by answering these four questions.
Whether you think you may have a problem or know someone who may have a problem, here are some important things to know about addiction.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder of the brain’s reward system. This is associated with compulsive and continued drug use despite harmful life consequences or physical side effects. Addiction, known medically as substance use disorder, is considered as both a mental health condition and a complex brain disorder. As time goes on and usage continues, how the person’s brain, body, and mind function can change dramatically and negatively impact their life.
Different drugs have different effects on different people. This is why some people can use drugs experimentally on occasion and not become addicted. However, if usage becomes more regular, some people become unable to control when and how much they are using. Certain drugs like stimulants, cocaine, or opioid painkillers, can cause a person to develop an addiction more quickly than other drugs. People can become addicted to legal and illegal drugs or substances, including:
Addiction can affect people from all backgrounds and can happen to anyone, at any age. There is no easy way to spot an addiction disorder because not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. The people with a high risk of developing an addiction may experience:
There isn’t an easy or magical cure for drug addiction but it is a treatable medical condition. With the appropriate treatment for their specific needs, a person can improve their addiction over time, reduce their risk of relapse, and achieve a successful long-term recovery.
Seek addiction help today. Contact us to learn more about starting treatment.
If you need help with your substance use disorder, we are here to help you build your confidence and momentum towards the future you want. We provide treatment services for adults with alcohol, opioid, and other substance use disorders. We are currently located in Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Washington.