Alcoholism, drug dependence and addiction, known as substance use disorders, are complex problems. People with these drug abuse and addiction once were thought to have a character defect or moral weakness; some people mistakenly still believe that. However, most scientists and medical researchers now consider dependence on alcohol or drugs to be a long-term illness, like asthma, hypertension (high blood pressure), or diabetes.
Substance use disorder is an illness that can affect anyone: rich or poor, male or female, employed or unemployed, young or old, and any race or ethnicity. Nobody knows for sure exactly what causes it, but the chance of developing a substance use disorder depends partly on genetics – biological traits passed down through families. A person’s environment, psychological traits, and stress level also play major roles by contributing to the use of alcohol or drugs.
Some people drink alcohol in moderation and some can stop taking drugs without a struggle. However, many times people develop a substance use disorder that becomes compulsive or dangerous (or both). In a social and work setting such as schools, hospitals, or places of employment, drug abuse tests are often conducted. This means that the ramifications of drug abuse can spill over into these aspects of life as well.
Researchers have found that using drugs for a long time changes the brain in important, long-lasting ways. It is as if a switch in the brain turned on at some point. This point is different for every person, but when this switch turns on, the person crosses an invisible line and becomes dependent on the substance. People who start using drugs or alcohol early in life run a greater risk of crossing this line and becoming dependent. These changes in the brain remain long after a person stops using drugs or drinking alcohol.
Experts say that there is a link between chemical changes in the brain nerve and substance addiction. The drugs act as a stimulant to provide dopamine and create a ‘high’ in the brain. While, in the short run this may not cause much harm to the brain but after long periods of dependence, these drugs disrupt the user’s physical, mental and social life. Drug abuse and addiction cause lasting changes in the brain. Prevention of drug abuse by abstaining from it is the best way to avoid such circumstances. Even a first time use of a drug may act as a gateway to long term abuse.
Drug substance abuse affects people from all walks of life, no matter whether they started taking drugs recreationally or as prescribed. Tolerance and dependence can sometimes develop even before the user realizes it. There are various long term effects of drug and substance abuse. Here’s how to recognize them –
Entering the world of substance abuse is easy, but quitting can be excruciatingly painful. It is painful for the user, his/her family and friends. The substance can quite easily consume the user’s life and disrupt his studies, work and every relationship he/she cherishes. This also causes side effects such as short term memory loss, weight loss or gain in appetite etc., which can be dangerous and affect the addict’s life in a very harmful way. In some cases addiction to prescription medicines, cocaine and heroin can result in overdoses that may be fatal. Here the question arises – ‘Is there no way out of addiction?’
Treatment for substance addiction depends on the severity and the substance of addiction. The first step in recovering is for the patient to admit that he/she is facing an addiction problem. The treatment involves providing aid and support to the patient from having the tendency to abuse drugs.
Psychotherapy – It involves one-to-one sessions with the counsellor in providing support to gradually gain control over drug dependency.
Self-help groups – The patients have close interactions with other similar patients suffering from addiction problems. They share each other’s story and often act as a motivation factor in recovering from disorder. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Help with Medications – There are medications available to prevent the cravings for the drugs which involves both medications and regular monitoring and counselling.
Cadabam’s Hospitals provides treatment for drug addiction which involves a combination of behavioural and cognitive approach in providing an effective recovery from addiction which often involves care at each individual level.
Substance abuse disorder not only affects the individual but everyone around them. Among these, the family is the one that gets affected the most, both mentally and financially. Substance abuse is also associated with other problems such as health issues (affecting the liver), physical abuse and criminal activities.
Drug abuse treatment can be hard but there are quite a few treatment options available. These can help the individual get over the abuse:
There are several substance abuse treatments undertaken in order to treat substance abuse:
Detoxification is the start of the rehabilitation process. It is a process by which individuals receive medications in order to rid their body of the harmful substances indulged during the abuse.
Withdrawal symptoms are experienced and with the help of medications, they can be suppressed. The process is safe and undertaken by professional medical and mental care experts.
Behavioural interventions are undertaken in order to modify an individual’s attitudes and behaviours related to substance use as well as help them develop and increase healthy life skills.
Interventions like cognitive-behavioural therapy that individual recognize, prevent and cope with situations that compel them to use substances.
Multidimensional family therapy is a therapy that focuses on substance abuse problems and maladaptive family patterns that influence substance abuse. It also helps improve the overall well being of the family. Contingency management that uses positive reinforcement to encourage behaviours to abstain from substance use.
Substance abuse rehabilitation encourages group therapy. These group sessions encourage recovering addicts to learn and grow from each other’s experiences and progress. This helps individuals immensely to know that they are not alone in their recovery struggles.
They also find solace in each other’s stories of addiction and recovery. This sense of support is vital to an individual’s recovery process. Groups like Narcotics Anonymous are well-known group therapy programs.
Though relapses are common, good outcomes are dependent on adequate treatment length. Medications under the supervision and prescription of mental and medical health professionals are provided to individuals to help them re-establish normal functions and lower their cravings for the substance.
Along with this psychotherapy, motivation enhancement therapy and insight building are undertaken to make sure the relapse is prevented.
Substance abuse rehabilitation programs are extremely helpful for individuals with substance abuse problems. From round the clock medical professionals to tailor-made treatment programs, rehabilitation provides individuals with skills and training to overcome their need for substance use.
Cadabams is one of the best substance and drug abuse rehabilitation centre in Bangalore where we help you walk on the path to holistic wellness by destigmatizing dependency and treating it like any other illness. We have over two decades of experience in the rehabilitation space and thousands of successful recoveries to our credit. Our wellness experts use a number of techniques such as mindfulness, therapy, meditation, and yoga to help you detox.
To learn more about drug abuse rehabilitation, call us now on +919611194949.