Once you are hooked on substances, you might realize that you cannot control the urge to use the substance. When you fail to control the frequency and amount of drugs you take, you could have developed substance use disorder, which affects your brain and behavior. You might continue to use drugs such as marijuana, nicotine, and alcohol, despite their harm on your body. Your addiction could start when you first indulge in the experimental use of drugs for recreational purposes, and further along you become a frequent user of the drug. Consult Woodland Hills substance use disorder experts who will help you overcome substance use.
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Risk of Addiction
How fast you become addicted to different drugs varies, and some drugs like opioid painkillers are very addictive as they respond to the body’s natural opioids receptors. You might start using opioids prescribed by your doctor, and even with smaller doses, you may start feeling the need to increase the dosage, which eventually causes you to fail to function properly without taking the opiates. When you attempt to avoid the drug, you could experience intense cravings and sickness associated with withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of Addiction
You may feel like you need the drug all the time, and attempts to stop can have a toll on your physical functions, and you will be likely to yearn for the drug several times during the day. This strong desire for the drug could stop you from performing your everyday duties as your mind is focused only on how to access the drug. You are most likely to spend so much money on the drug, even if you do not have the money to meet other basic needs, and you may even resort to stealing money to buy the drugs. You may continue using the drug even with knowledge of the impact it has on your body, and you could fail to stop using the drug.
Substance Use Treatment
Your doctor should use high-caliber substance use treatment with compassionate care, which can help you overcome your addiction. Your doctor could conduct an initial evaluation of substance use disorder which includes your medical history and mental health. While undergoing treatment, you may wish to incorporate nutritional therapy, yoga, art therapy, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. The focus of the treatment should be understanding the cause of addiction and preventing you from relapse.
Coping and Support
You may face the challenge of relapse, even after a full recovery, as it could be challenging to stay drug-free, and you should learn how to cope and find positive support. You can seek the services of a licensed therapist who might help you overcome addiction and address other underlying mental health issues. Join a support group; the group could mostly consist of people who have overcome addiction and those on their recovery journey. Drug addiction could be an indication of other underlying mental issues, and it is prudent to treat mental disorders to overcome addiction.
The Bottom Line
You may find yourself hooked on drugs, and it might be hard to withdraw from the use of a substance even though you know its effects on the body. It is prudent to seek the medical-assisted recovery that can help you overcome drug relapse that is associated with addiction. As you recover, it is best to find coping and support groups, which help you keep in line with your recovery ambitions.
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