How Addictions Can Affect You
The strain of managing an addiction can seriously damage your work life and relationships. In the case of substance misuse , an addiction can have serious psychological and physical effects.
Some studies suggest a person’s risk of becoming addicted is partly genetic, but environmental factors, such as being around other people with addictions, are also thought to increase the risk.
Behaviours such as substance misuse can be a way of blocking out difficult issues. Unemployment and poverty can trigger addiction, along with stress and emotional or professional pressure.
Quitting And Handling Withdrawal
Your Friends Family Or Co
One way to know if you have an addiction is if other people start pointing it out.
People who are close to you will know if somethings off. They may not come out and directly ask you if you have an addiction, but they will notice changes in your appearance, mood, and behavior.
Your instinct will be to lie and hide your substance abuse. Additionally, bringing it up and asking for help is incredibly difficult. If someone who loves you has noticed and is offering you their help, take this opportunity to come out of hiding.
Having just one person on your side who knows about your problem can make all the difference in the world. Dont let pride or shame stop you from getting the help you need and beginning the process of recovery.
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You Have A Distorted Sense Of What Intimacy And Sexuality Are
Your expectations about sex and intimacy look more like a plot of a bad pornographic film than real life. These unrealistic expectations make you think your partner should be performing more like a porn star than a typical person. You may think there is something wrong with your partner since they dont act that way.
What If I Might Be Addicted To Work
If you think you may be addicted to work, try taking a break and see how you feel. If you are unable to switch off from thinking about work, and if you sense you are escaping into work to avoid other responsibilities or uncomfortable feelings, you may benefit from treatment from a mental health professional.
Although you are unlikely to find a work addiction treatment program, many of the approaches used to treat other addictions can be used to help control a range of addictive behaviors.
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Why Do Some People Become Addicted To Drugs While Others Don’t
No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:
- Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person’s risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.
- Environment. A persons environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a persons likelihood of drug use and addiction.
- Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a persons life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.
Finding Marijuana Addiction Treatment Near Me
Yes, people do go to rehab for marijuana addiction. While many try to quit on their own, theyll likely replace marijuana with other substances like alcohol, for example. Instead, looking for an addiction treatment center that will treat marijuana use disorder at the source is usually the best option. These programs will incorporate different treatment services, including:
Medical Detox: In this clinically supervised detox process at the rehab center, we ensure the patients safety and make the withdrawal phase as comfortable as possible by minimizing withdrawal symptoms and using medication-assisted treatment services to guarantee a complete detoxification process.
Intensive Outpatient Programs: When patients are looking to seek addiction treatment while maintaining daily obligations like work, school, or caregiving, IOPs are a more flexible option that still gives people access to the help they need.
Group Therapy: Recovering addicts need to build a healthy support system that encourages their recovery and sobriety. Group therapy gives them a safe space to foster these relationships and continue working through their recovery after leaving inpatient treatment programs.
Long-term Recovery Programs: With long-term recovery assistance, patients can have the ongoing support they need to maintain long-lasting sobriety. Recovery programs are crucial to relapse prevention.
Lighthouse Editorial Team
Medical Disclaimer:
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You Are Beginning To Suffer From Pain Due To Being On The Computer Too Much
Despite this not being substance abuse, porn addicts can have withdrawal symptoms that include anxiety, fear, depression, anger, mood swings, sadness, loneliness, and procrastination. Physical symptoms can include backaches, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, dry eyes, personal hygiene issues, disordered eating, and disordered sleep patterns.
What Is Drug Addiction
Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted persons self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a “relapsing” diseasepeople in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.
It’s common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn’t mean that treatment doesnt work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patients changing needs.
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How To Tell If Youre Addicted To Alcohol
If youre already searching for signs that you potentially have a problem with alcohol use disorder, aka alcoholism, you probably already know the answer and are looking for further verification or something that says youre not. However, if you truly are unsure whether you are addicted to alcohol, there are a number of clues that will show youre most likely dealing with alcoholism.
You’re Willing To Take Risks And Make Unreasonable Sacrifices
Suddenly, your addiction is the only thing that matters, and you’re willing to go to extreme lengths to fulfill it, even if those lengths are risky and unwarranted. The brains of those who struggle with drug abuse may be wired in a way that finds a good reason to take risks. A report published by Science Daily suggests why that might be the case.
People struggling with drug abuse “have very strong motivation to seek out ‘rewards,'” the report reads. “They exhibit an impaired ability to adjust their behavior and are less fulfilled once they have achieved what they desire,” which is why they tend to take risks that others may deem unnecessary and dangerous.
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Chocolate And Other Sweets
Sometimes you have to have it. And you may not be able to stop. Don’t feel bad — foods high in carbs, fats, and sugar can affect your brain just like drugs do. Jonesing for an occasional milkshake doesnât mean you’re hooked. But your sweet tooth can get out of control and lead to other health problems.
Next Steps Towards Recovery
Its important to have quick access to treatment. If you or someone you know has an addiction, call 1-800-622-4357 for free and confidential treatment referral and information from SAMHSA. You can also seek help from your doctor, local treatment center, or support group.
Addictions often affect many areas of a persons life. The most effective treatments are comprehensive. They often have several steps that vary from person to person. These steps can include detoxification, behavioral counseling, and long-term follow-up.
Here are some ways you can support a friend or family members recovery process:
- Learn more about the substance or behavior dependency and the treatment.
- Stay involved, like offering to go to meetings with them.
- Provide a sober and trigger-free setting.
- Speak up and express concern when there is a relapse.
While you can treat addiction, in most cases, someone with addiction must want to change for recovery to be successful.
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How To Know If You Have An Addiction: 7 Signs To Look For
Walking down the road of addiction is a life-changing event. Its no easy path to tread, yet such an easy path to stumble onto.
Addictions come in many shapes and sizes and go by many names. Regardless of what the addiction is centered on, however, it has the horrific potential of ruining your life. Addictions can be the root cause of destroyed relationships, lost jobs, financial problems, health issues, and more.
Do you understand how to know if you have an addiction?
Its almost guaranteed that everyone on the planet is addicted to something, even if its minor and somewhat inconsequential food, sex, pornography, videogames, TV, etc.
However, 1 in 7 Americans will deal with substance addiction. Substance addiction, unfortunately, has a far greater ability to become destructive in and around someones life.
Shockingly, even people suffering drug and alcohol addiction can remain oblivious to their own condition. Sometimes its because of fear or denial. Sometimes, people simply dont know or recognize the signs.
Were here to provide answers and guidance. Keep reading to understand and recognize the vital signs that point to addiction.
Signs Of Cocaine Abuse
Cocaine is best known in its white powder form. Most often, this drug is snorted, smoked, or injected. As cocaine is a stimulant, one of its hallmarks is that its main effects wear off around 30 minutes to 2 hours after the last use. In addition to the general signs of drug abuse discussed above, cocaine has some specific side effects, including:
- Increased energy
- Fast white lady
- Yao
As Medical News Today discusses, cocaine is highly addictive and the strongest natural occurring stimulant in existence. Cocaine addiction is associated with dramatic personal losses there are reports of professionals spending $20,000 to $50,000 on cocaine binges, parents selling their children, and people becoming unemployed, having to file bankruptcy, and ending up homeless. It is clear that cocaine use can spiral out of control. For this reason, the earlier the abuse is intercepted, the better.
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How To Spot Addiction In A Friend Or Loved One
Addiction is characterized by the inability to stop using a substance despite negative consequences. Addiction differs from other drug or alcohol use in that it causes significant impairment in the persons life, and it cant be controlled by the individual. Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol often report that their substance use feels out of control. They may want to stop using but feel unable to do so. Oftentimes, people are in denial about the problems substance use is causing and need the help of friends and family to recognize the problem.
As reported by Psychology Today, addiction is typically accompanied by tolerance and physical dependence. Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to the substance of use, and higher doses must be used to achieve the desired effects. This often contributes to dependence. The body can only function normally with the addictive substance, and will experience withdrawal symptoms when the substance is taken away.
Loved ones may notice changes in behavior related to these symptoms. The individual may need to drink or use drugs to excess in order to become intoxicated. In addition, the person may show signs of withdrawal such as shaking and sweating when going without the addictive substance.
Search For Drug Paraphernalia
Parents of children who may be suffering from addiction may want to search their childs belongings for drug paraphernalia. Everyone is entitles to some personal privacy however, a childs wellbeing is the responsibility of the parent or caregiver, and searching from drugs or alcohol may be warranted in some cases. Psychology Today recommends taking this step if you have reason to believe your child is using illegal substances.
If the person in question is an adult, it can be trickier to search for drug paraphernalia. While you dont want to invade personal space, you can certainly look for such paraphernalia in shared living spaces. If uncertain whether or not to search the individuals personal space, consult with a therapist or addiction professional beforehand.
The U.S. Department of Justice lists the following common forms of drug paraphernalia:
- Pipes: These can be made from various materials, including wood, glass, ceramic, plastic, and acrylic.
- Water pipes or bongs: These are often made of glass, and draw the smoke through water to cool it before it is inhaled.
- Miniature spoons: Spoons are often used to dissolve drugs in liquid before they are injected.
- Chillums: These are cylindrical pipes used to smoke marijuana
- Injection needles: These are used to inject certain drugs like heroin or crushed prescription painkillers .
- Cigarette papers: These are used to roll joints filled with drugs that are then smoked.
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Questions To Ask Yourself About Your Substance Use
There are signs that can help you determine if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Problems with relationships, your job or school, and even legal issues stemming from substance use can indicate that you have an addiction. If your life has been affected by substance abuse in the following ways, you may have an addiction:
Your Partner No Longer Seems Attractive To You
Watching pornography can give viewers unreal expectations of what sex is. This includes expectations of your partners appearance. The viewing of a small set of attractive, hairless, cosmetically altered women can make your brain crave a permanent fantasy. This ideal directly competes with your reality. This can lead your partner to become unsatisfied with your behavior and unreasonable expectations for their appearance. According to an article in Psychology Today, Not many real women are porn-worthy ever and its discouraging that desire in men is seemingly being conditioned to be excited only by an impossible standard. Certainly, there is cultural pressure on men compared to media personalities but women dont usually watch movies while masturbating to reinforce the attraction.
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How Do You Know If You Are Addicted To Something
The road to recovery, however, begins with recognition. American Psychiatric Association
How do you know if you are addicted to something? Does addiction lie in how the body responds in the absence of a substance, the chronicity of its use, or does it have more to do with ones behavior toward the substance? The concept has ignited a war on drugs by Nixon, been playfully mocked by the late Amy Winehouse, and glorified by such shows as Intervention. A nuanced examination of the medical and cultural language of addiction exposes broader implications.
For example, is there a difference between the increased irritability during smoking cessation, a caffeine withdrawal headache, and prescription medication discontinuation syndrome?
According to the American Psychiatric Association , addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. Health, finances, relationships, and careers can be ruined. This implies one must be aware of his or her use causing negative outcomes in various domains.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse adds that addiction is a relapsing brain disease based in part on the fact drugs change the brain they change its structure and how it works. We now know that virtually everything we do and how we think about what we are doing causes changes in the brain .
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