Addiction varies from person to person depending on the type of substance that is being used. Most addictions begin recreationally or with normal use. Over time, the body begins to develop tolerance towards smaller quantities of the substance and the person needs higher quantities of the substance to produce the same effect in their body.

The Role of your Mind.

Studies show that upto 90% of the people who manage to quit substance abuse get back or relapse within one year. This is alarming, and more importantly, it is preventable. So, how do you stop yourself from relapsing? This can be achieved through a combination of treatment, exercise, working on your mindset, and a healthy diet. Individually, each of these might not be as effective, but together they can effectively stop your from relapsing. 

It is also observed that people who do not have high self-control and fall into substance abuse exhibit something seen as “delayed discounting”. In this, users neglect long term adverse effects of a substance in favour of its immediate enjoyable effects. The role of your mind is crucial in beating addiction. It can prevent you from relapsing as well. Mindfulness and cognitive thinking processes play a major role in beating addiction.

Signs and symptoms of drug addiction

Identifying the early symptoms of drug addiction can go a long way in helping people with substance abuse problems get the help they need. These symptoms can manifest as:

• Feeling that you need to consume the drug every day or several times a day
• When the urge to consume comes, it blocks out all other thoughts that could be related to personal or professional life
• Having to consume increased dosages to get the same high
• Consuming drugs for longer periods than the original plan
• Always ensuring that you don’t run out of supply
• Consorting to the Beg-Borrow-Steal triage to score drugs
• Avoiding your social and professional circles you were part of before the drug habit
• Postponing or delaying work duties
• Indulging in risky acts like driving under the influence
• Experience agitation and anxiety when not using the drug
• Feeling sick whenever you stop consuming the said drug
  

Few physical symptoms of drug addiction include:

• Dryness in the mouth
• Red eyes
• Elevated blood pressure and arrhythmia
• Delayed response rate
• Increased food cravings after drug consumption

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Causes of Drug Addiction

Who is most at risk of drug addiction?

Men, women, young individuals, and older people across the socioeconomic spectrum can fall prey to substance use disorders. However, certain risk factors play a major role in this as well:

Genetics:

Studies show that there are genetic components involved in substance abuse. Individuals with at least one close relative with addiction problems are at high risk of developing drug addiction themselves. Depending on the substance, an alcohol and drug addiction treatment centre will help you resolve your addiction problems.

Environment:

Environment is another important factor that plays a role in drug addiction. Environment here refers to the community and your surroundings. It is highly likely that you may end up turning to substance abuse if your parents or someone you are closely associated with are abusing substances themselves.

Comorbidity:

Individuals who are already afflicted with severe mental health disorders like bipolar disorder and clinical depression are more likely to succumb to substance abuse and drug addiction. Combined with substance abuse, people with mental health issues can spiral downwards. This is where medical professionals at drug addiction treatment centres come in and help individuals recover from addiction.

Drug Addiction: Types

Depending on the nature of the substance used, the nature of the addiction is defined, and a specified drug detoxification process is recommended.

The most common forms of drug addiction are:

OTC Drugs:

Over the counter drugs or prescription drugs are just as harmful as illegal substances like cocaine, meth or LSD. These drugs give you a high, but are difficult to snap out from. OTC drugs addiction starts when you start consuming drugs that are originally prescribed for someone else, are consuming more quantities than prescribed to get the kick, or are taking the drug for recreational purposes. OTC drugs addiction begins when you start consuming drugs prescribed for you or someone else for the high it gives and at a dosage higher than intended. Drug addiction to prescription drugs can cause anxiety, depression, and mental stress. The most common form of OTC drug addiction is drinking large volumes of cough syrup that contains codeine (commonly known as lean) to get a feeling of a high.
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Opioid drug addiction:‍

Addiction to Heroin, Crystal meth, LSD, Ecstasy, and MDMA fall under the bracket of opioid drug addiction. As an addict, it becomes difficult to get easy access to these drugs, and when the effect of the high wears off, you feel feverish, tired, agitated, anxious, and angry till you experience the next high. Recovering from opioid addictions are painful and long as they are highly physiologically addictive.‍

Marijuana:‍

Marijuana is often called a gateway drug for most people. People get introduced to this drug in social gatherings or parties. Though the use of medical marijuana is legal in a few countries, it is illegal in most places. Heavy consumption can leave you burned out and cause neural effects like memory loss and loss of appetite.‍

Nicotine in cigarettes:‍

Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs on the planet. It gives you a temporary rush for a short duration that makes you want more and continue consuming until you feel satiated. The tolerance levels in a human body for nicotine is high; hence, one would end up smoking more cigarettes to attain the high. It is also the main cause of cancer and a host of other diseases.

Diagnosis of drug addiction

Medically diagnosing a drug addiction problem is complicated. However, the first and the most important step is for the user to understand that he/she has a problem and that they are willing to overcome that. The symptoms and diagnosis of drug addiction are fairly synonymous, and the focus should be on creating a safe environment for the addict to reveal their problems to others and seek help. 

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Drug addiction Treatment Options‍

Drug addiction treatment centres are available to help people find a way to escape drug addiction and substance abuse. There are many treatments of drug addiction that provide tools and therapy which effectively defeats the drug addiction and get them back on the right path. Constant drug abuse treatment will set the patient on a happy, productive, and successful journey. Drug rehab centres help guide sufferers with 12 step programs. They also include therapeutic sessions and interventions that have counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, and group therapy like yoga, meditation, and so on. Most reputed treatment centres provide drug addiction treatment with round the clock assistance and care. They include qualified counsellors with years of experience, general psychiatrists, physicians, and psychologists. The patients are provided with expert medical care and support which will help them recover from addiction.

The best treatment of drug addiction is admitting the patient to a rehabilitation centre because it provides them with a safe atmosphere that is comfortable. Effective drug abuse treatment also includes preventing any relapse. Post-rehab therapy is crucial because it prevents them from falling into the pits of addiction and start the cycle of substance abuse, all over again. There are many ways to help a patient through the process of drug recovery. Depending on the nature of the addiction, drug rehab centres, and methods for treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts are prescribed. The most common forms of drug addictions and their treatment are:‍

Detoxification: The patient could choose to go through the detoxification process at home or in drug detox facilities. Rehab is recommended as the patient would otherwise have to go through severe withdrawal on their own and would not have any medical assistance if something were to go wrong. Adding to that, being in a drug addiction treatment centre increases the chances of recovery and mitigates the chances of relapse to a great extent.

Behavioural counselling: Behavioural counselling is yet another form of drug addiction treatment as it constantly engages the mind of the patient and keeps them from being around their triggers. Counselling has also proven effective for patients to identify their triggers and plan a way to work around the urge to get high.

Medication: Medication in the form of nicotine patches, gums, opioid treatments, or medication for alcohol has proven effective. However, it is essential for recovering patients to inform doctors when they consult them for non-addiction problems. This will ensure that the consulting physician does not prescribe any drugs that could potentially send you back to a relapse. The above methods are efficient for long-term recovery. However, it is essential that the patient works with the doctor and get a tailored treatment plan for maximum efficiency in controlling the urge.