How Do They Work
Although drug addiction and abuse impact a persons entire life from their physical health, to their behavior, thoughts, and feelings, addiction starts and ends in the brain. For example, the drug Naltrexone blocks the brains opioid receptors. These receptors are activated in opioid addiction when someone takes an opioid drug. The chemical compounds of the opioids bind to the brains receptors, flooding the body with a euphoric feeling that is incredibly addictive. But taking Naltrexone means the prescription will bind to the brains receptors.
Two things happen as a result of this mechanism. For one thing, the receptors are activated, so the user wont feel intense cravings to use opioids, which is what would happen in an addicted person who was attempting a withdrawal. On the other hand, Naltrexone blocks a person from feeling high if they were to relapse and take an opioid drug. Vivitrol is an injectable, extended-release version of Naltrexone, and is used to treat alcohol addiction. While the tablet form of Naltrexone must be used every day or two, Vivitrol can be injected once per month for the same effects.
Other medications that are used in the fight against opioid addiction include agonist drugs, such as methadone and naloxone. These drugs inhibit the brains opioid receptors from activating. But naloxone takes things a step further. The drug also reverses the effects of opioids, so it can be used to treat an overdose.
Can Drug Addiction Be Cured Or Prevented
As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isnt a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patients drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.
More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.
What Are My Addiction Treatment Options
To understand which level of treatment is most appropriate for your needs, you should consult with a physician, a therapist, or other treatment professional, who can assess your situation and make treatment recommendations. Often, people begin their recovery efforts with a period of supervised medical detox and then, depending on their needs, progress through additional rehabilitation. Treatment is sometimes initiated at a relatively intensive level of care but, as recovery progress is made, becomes gradually less intensive as individuals move through their continuum of care. The broad levels of care as outlined by the American Society for Addiction Medicine include:17,18
Learn more about the levels of care offered at American Addiction Centers nationwide treatment centers.
Curious about whether your insurance will cover the entirety of your addiction care? Fill out the form on the page below and an American Addiction Centers admissions navigator will inquire with your insurance company to discover your benefits.
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How To Avoid Dependency Or Addiction To Medicines
If you have been prescribed a medicine for pain, stress, sleeping problems or anxiety, you can check with your doctor about your risk of developing dependency or addiction.
Questions you can ask include:
- What are the side effects of this medicine?
- Is this medicine addictive?
- How can I avoid addiction?
- How long should I take the medicine for?
- Do I have to take every pill in the prescription?
- What are the signs of dependence or addiction?
- What are my alternatives to taking this medicine?
- Can I do anything else to help my condition?
- What is the plan for dealing with my problem long term?
It is important to use medicines as prescribed and never use someone elses prescription medicines or give yours to them.
Some warning signs to look out for include:
- needing larger amounts of the medicine to experience the same effects
- needing to use the medicine to feel normal or cope with life
- finding it hard to control or reduce its use
- experiencing unpleasant effects if you stop taking it regularly
Opioid Addiction Why Its Not All About Self
People have been able to accomplish great things through sheer will alone. With strong will, tenacity, support, and a good plan, people have been able to overcome negative pasts, breakthrough certain addictions, and much, much more.
Unfortunately, when it comes to opioid addiction, even the most determined person will have a hard time moving past their addiction.
The reason for this is the way opioids affect the brain, as well as the overall emotional and mental health of the person with the addiction.
Many who have become addicted to opioids struggle with things like PTSD and anxiety disorders. Trying to overcome an addiction adds more stress into the mix, making it seem nearly impossible.
How about the effect opioids have on the brain? Well, opioids bind to certain brain receptors, which gives off a feeling of euphoria. Anyone who has been in pain or suffers from PTSD or anxiety can tell you getting a sense euphoria is a welcome change.
In addition to this, opioids trigger the brain to release dopamine, also known as the happy or feel good drug. The part of the brain which is triggered when an addict takes an opioid is the reward center of the brain. Humans are hard-wired to repeat an action which releases dopamine.
Another obstacle which comes into play is the symptoms of detox. Even someone who is determined to overcome their addiction can be caught off-guard by the ill-effects of detox. These can include:
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How Is Drug Abuse Or Dependence Diagnosed
A family doctor, psychiatrist, or qualified mental health professional usually diagnoses substance abuse. Clinical findings often depend on the substance abused, the frequency of use, and the length of time since last used, and may include:
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Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
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Expectations for the course of the condition
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Your opinion or preference
A variety of treatment programs for substance abuse are available on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Programs considered are usually based on the type of substance abused. Detoxification and long-term follow-up management or recovery-oriented systems of care are important features of successful treatment. Long-term follow-up management usually includes formalized group meetings and psychosocial support systems, as well as continued medical supervision. Individual and family psychotherapy are often recommended to address the issues that may have contributed to and resulted from the development of a substance abuse disorder.
What Causes Drug Abuse Or Dependence
Cultural and societal factors determine what are acceptable or allowable forms of drug or alcohol use. Public laws determine what kind of drug use is legal or illegal. The question of what type of substance use can be considered normal or acceptable remains controversial. Substance abuse and dependence are caused by multiple factors, including genetic vulnerability, environmental stressors, social pressures, individual personality characteristics, and psychiatric problems. But which of these factors has the biggest influence in any one person cannot be determined in all cases.
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How To Overcome Meth Addiction
Overcoming meth addiction can seem impossible, but it is possible to recover with the right treatment and support. Meth addiction treatment typically involves detoxification which helps to rid the body of the drug and any associated toxins. This can be difficult, but many resources are available to help individuals through it. After medical detox, it is important to participate in evidence-based rehabilitation programs like cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral health that provide mental and emotional support. These programs can help recovering addicts learn new coping skills and develop a positive outlook on life. In addition, ongoing counseling and support groups can be extremely helpful in preventing relapse. With commitment and effort, anyone can overcome meth addiction and build a healthy, drug-free life.
Addiction is a disease, and like any other disease, it requires treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling with meth addiction, its important to seek professional help. Various treatment options are available, and the sooner you get help, the better. Remember, there is no shame in seeking help for addiction.
Helping Individuals Overcome Some Of The Most Addictive Drugs
Here at Meta Addiction Treatment, we believe that all individuals can live a drug-free life. We also believe that recovering from addiction doesnt have to mean pausing your entire life. Our outpatient addiction treatment programs can help individuals overcome methamphetamine addiction while maintaining aspects of their daily lives. Our recovery services include:
- A partial hospitalization program , our highest level of care.
- An intensive outpatient program designed for individuals who have completed our Partial Hospitalization Program or an equivalent outpatient treatment program at another provider and are ready to continue their recovery.
- An outpatient program designed for individuals who have completed higher levels of outpatient addiction treatment either at Meta Addiction Treatment or another accredited provider.
As part of our treatment, we provide clinical services such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, case management, peer support, and nutritional counseling.
You or a loved one dont have to continue living life addicted to methamphetamine. Let us help empower and equip you to take charge of your recovery. Contact us today to speak to one of our recovery experts.
Contact Us
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How Personal Behavior Affects Beating Alcoholism
At the beginning, it is a persons choice to take a drink. However, over time, the regular use, and especially the regular heavy use/abuse of alcohol precipitates changes in that persons brain, making even heavier drinking and, eventually, alcohol dependence more likely.
The ability to choose gets taken away as the person becomes powerless over alcohol.
According to scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine, up to one in four adults in the US have engaged in binge drinking within the past month. Binge drinking defined as the consumption of a large quantity of alcohol in a single session can significantly increase risk of developing an addiction to alcohol.
90% of the alcohol consumption of underage drinker happens during incidents of binge drinking.
How To Overcome Addiction
Overcoming addiction requires a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the underlying causes of addiction, as well as the addict’s individual needs. Treatment should be tailored to each person and may include detoxification, therapy, and relapse prevention.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating addiction, as each persons experience is unique. However, certain principles are essential for all successful treatment programs. These principles include:
- Recognizing that addiction is a chronic brain disease that requires medical treatment.
- Providing individualized care based on each persons unique needs.
- Using a combination of medication and behavioral therapies addresses addiction’s physical and psychological aspects.
- Building a support network of family members and friends provides encouragement and motivation during treatment and recovery. Support groups can also be instrumental.
- Participating in long-term follow-up care to prevent relapse and promote sustained recovery.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, don’t give up hope. Help is available, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. With treatment and support, it is possible to recover and lead healthy, drug-free lives.
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What Are The Signs That Someone Has A Drug Problem
Signs that someone has a drug problem include:
- Changing friends a lot
- Spending a lot of time alone
- Losing interest in favorite things
- Not taking care of themselves – for example, not taking showers, changing clothes, or brushing their teeth
- Being really tired and sad
- Eating more or eating less than usual
- Being very energetic, talking fast, or saying things that don’t make sense
- Being in a bad mood
- Quickly changing between feeling bad and feeling good
- Sleeping at strange hours
- Having problems at work or at school
- Having problems in personal or family relationships
Principles Of Effective Drug Addiction Treatment
These 13 principles of effective drug addiction treatment were developed based on three decades of scientific research. Research shows that treatment can help drug-addicted individuals stop drug use, avoid relapse and successfully recover their lives.
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Dangers Of Continued Substance Abuse
Those people who fail to escape their addiction are in real danger because:
* Addiction is a downward spiral, and this means that over any significant amount of time the individuals situation will deteriorate. The final destination for those caught up in this descent is death.* The longer the person remains addicted to alcohol or drugs the more they will lose. The individual will keep on going until they hit a rock bottom where they become unwilling to lose anything more for some people their rock bottom will be so low that they will be unable to recover from it.* The longer the individual remains addicted the more their family and friends will suffer.* The time spent trapped in addiction is wasted because the person will be unable to live life to the fullest or reach their potential. The addict is deluded in their belief that these substances are making life more bearable it is alcohol and drugs that is the source of their suffering.* These substances are toxins that can cause great damage to the body organs and mind. The longer the person remains addicted the more likely they are to do permanent damage to their body.* The longer people remain addicted the harder it can be for them to escape. This is because addiction consumes the individuals self esteem so that they feel helpless and begin to believe that they actually deserve their suffering.
What Causes Addictions
There are lots of reasons why addictions begin. In the case of drugs, alcohol and nicotine, these substances affect the way you feel, both physically and mentally. These feelings can be enjoyable and create a powerful urge to use the substances again.
Gambling may result in a similar mental “high” after a win, followed by a strong urge to try again and recreate that feeling. This can develop into a habit that becomes very hard to stop.
Being addicted to something means that not having it causes withdrawal symptoms, or a “come down”. Because this can be unpleasant, it’s easier to carry on having or doing what you crave, and so the cycle continues.
Often, an addiction gets out of control because you need more and more to satisfy a craving and achieve the “high”.
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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.
Opioid Addiction: Why Its So Hard To Treat And How Atlanta Nad Therapy Can Help
Addiction is frustrating for addicts and their loved ones.
Trying to overcome addiction is just as frustrating, especially when it comes to opioid addiction.
Opioids are one of the most difficult addictions to overcome. As much as people would like their opioid-addicted loved one to just quit, its definitely not easy.
Why is this such a difficult drug to overcome? Is there any hope for those struggling with a dependence on opioid medications?
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Ways To Overcome Sugar And Carbs Addiction:
The number one best way to quit your intake of sugar is to remove it from your house. If you cant get your hands on it easily then youre more likely to resist. You need to treat it the same way as if youre quitting smoking. Smokers who are stopping shouldnt leave a pack of cigarettes around just to test their resolve.
If youre buying cakes and cookies for somebody else in the household then just realize youre going to have to devote a lot of your willpower to resist. Like a smoker trying to quit when their spouse is still smoking itll be tough and unfair to you from the start. Have a discussion with the other person about processed sugar and tell them youre not bringing it into the house in any form, and theyll need to go elsewhere to get their own sugar fix!
Dont buy products with added sugars such as anything on the label with: brown sugar, corn sweetener or syrup or syrup on its own, fruit juice concentrates, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, malt sugar, molasses, raw sugar, sugar, sugar molecules ending in ose . This list was extracted from an article on the Go Red for Women website and Ive included a link to the full article in the resource section below.
Here are some food alternative suggestions for you:
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