Questions To Ask When Choosing A Drug Abuse Or Addiction Rehabilitation Center
- Do they offer a detoxification program?
- Do they have a bed available today?
- What is their success rate in treating your disorder?
- What is your expected length of stay?
- Is the treatment facility licensed for co-occurring disorders?
- What different levels of care do they offer, and how do they handle transitioning between levels of care?
- Is there an aftercare program available, and how do they handle relapse?
- What levels of licensure and credentials does the staff have?
- What is their insurance coverage?
National Institute On Drug Abuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is one of the institutes under the National Institutes of Health. It is responsible for funding more research on drug abuse and addiction than any other agency in the world. Many NIDA-funded studies focus on achieving a deep and essential understanding of substance abuse by looking at topics that include:
- Following new trends in drug use and abuse
- Identifying the function of different substances in the brain and body
- Creating and testing new prevention methods and treatments
Additionally, NIDA seeks to educate the public and keep them updated on their new findings and how these findings may indicate the need for changes in legislation, medical care, or prevention efforts.HistoryMissionToday
The National Institute on Drug Abuse was first established as a research facility connected to the US Public Health Service in 1935, and in 1948, it became known as the Addiction Research Center. In 1974, NIDA was designated as the point organization for data collection, research, and training that would increase the prevention of substance abuse and improve treatment services. By 1985, the organization began publishing a bimonthly newsletter called NIDA Notes that included updates on the findings of new research and surveys.
In 2012, NIDA created an online resource for parents called Family Checkup that provides families with the drug-related information they need to help their children avoid drug abuse and addiction.
Types Of Substances Commonly Used
Bath salts, also known as Red Sky, Vanilla Sky, Blue Silk, Ivory Wave, or Purple Wave, are an illicit drug most used by teenagers and young adults. Despite the seemingly innocuous name, this drug can be very harmful. This designer street drugs name was derived from its similar appearance to Epsom salts used in the bath. However, despite the similar appearance, this illegal drug has a different chemical makeup and can be dangerous. Bath salts can be snorted, injected, or used rectally. Side effects may include high blood pressure, hyperthermia, sweating, muscle spasms, seizures, and may also cause other longer-term health issues. The most common complication from the use of bath salts is overdose.
Learn more about bath salts here.
Benzodiazepines or benzos are prescription drugs that slow brain function and decrease central nervous system functions. Examples are Valium, Alprazolam, Klonopin, and Ativan to name a few. Benzos come in a tablet form and are generally prescribed to help with anxiety or panic disorders, sleep issues, alcohol withdrawal, and more. The misuse of this type of prescription drug can result in serious health issues and complications such as reduced heart rate, respiration, coma, and even death. The risk for developing an addiction to benzos is high.
Learn more about benzos here.
Learn more about cocaine here.
Learn more about meth here.
Learn more about ecstasy here.
Learn more about heroin here.
Learn more about LSD here.
Learn more about .
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From Prescription Use To Prescription Addiction
The prescription drug addiction issue in the United States has been called an epidemic. The evidence seems to suggest that this term might not be an exaggeration. In fact, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, about 20 percent of the US population has abused prescription medications at some point in their lives.
Prescription medication abuse is defined as using medications in ways in which a doctor never intended. This abuse could take many forms, including:
- Taking higher doses
The person is no longer using the medication for a specific illness or condition. .
Addiction Causes The Brain To Ask For More
Dopamine makes us feel good and want to keep doing what we’re doing. It also teaches the brain to repeat the behavior. Cues trigger the reward system, fuel cravings and create a habit loop. The smell of pie baking can make you salivate in anticipation of the taste. Addiction fuels habits toocraving a cigarette every morning with coffee or wanting a hit when you drive past the house where you used to do drugs.
When you take a drug, your brain releases a flood of dopamine, much more than it would when you’re eating your favorite pie. Your brain overreacts and cuts back on dopamine production to bring it down to a normal level.
As you continue to use drugs, your body produces less dopamine. Things that brought you pleasurethat pie, friends, and even drugsdon’t anymore. Once you’re addicted, it takes more and more drugs just to feel normal.
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S Parents Can Take To Curb Teen Drug Use
Can Addiction Come Back
Substance use disorder is a relapsing disease. People who are in recovery from this disease have a higher chance of using drugs again. Recurrence can happen even years after you last took drugs.
Because of the possibility of relapse, you need ongoing treatment. Your healthcare provider should review your treatment plan with you and change it based on your changing needs. If you have a problem with prescription drugs, including opioids, inform your healthcare providers. They can help you find other options to manage pain.
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Warning Signs Of Prescription Drug Abuse
In recent years, prescription drug abuse has become an escalating problem, most commonly involving opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, and stimulants. Many people start taking these drugs to cope with a specific medical problemtaking painkillers following injury or surgery, for example. However, over time, increased doses are needed to achieve the same level of pain relief and some users can become physically dependent, experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they try to quit.
One of the earliest warning signs of a developing problem is going through the medication at a faster-than-expected rate. In other cases, people start abusing medication not prescribed for them in order to experience a high, relieve tension, increase alertness, or improve concentration.
To avoid developing problems with a prescription medication, its important to take it only as directed, use the lowest dose for the shortest period possible, and to talk to your doctor about other methods of treating the problem. Being aware of any signs of dependency can help identify prescription drug problems at an early stage and help to prevent them progressing into an addiction.
Warning signs of commonly abused prescription drugs
Anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, and hypnotics : Contracted pupils drunk-like, slurred speech, difficulty concentrating, clumsiness poor judgment, drowsiness, slowed breathing.
Drug Misuse Abuse And Addiction: Whats The Difference
August 19, 2020 By Adept
Drug misuse, abuse, and addiction are all serious public health challenges. Since all of these deal with the use of illegal drugs and inappropriate use of legal drugs , a lot of people commonly use these terms interchangeably. However, the interventions for each issue greatly vary. Thats why correctly identifying a persons drug problem is crucial. Read on to learn the critical differences between drug misuse, abuse, and addiction.
What is drug misuse?Drug misuse is generally associated with prescription medicines. Prescription medicines are meant to be taken as directed by doctors. This is because these types of drugs can cause adverse side effects if directions are not followed.
Drug misuse happens when these substances are taken for a purpose that is not consistent with legal or medical guidelines. Examples of this include:
- Taking the incorrect dose
- Taking the drug at the wrong time
- Forgetting to take a dose
- Stopping the use of a drug too soon
- Taking a drug for reasons other than why they were prescribed
- Taking a drug that was not prescribed to you
What is drug abuse?Drug abuse happens when drugs, including alcohol, illicit drugs, or any psychoactive substances, are misused to get high or inflict self-harm. It is also known as substance use disorder since people who abuse drugs experience significantly altered thinking, behavior, and body functions.
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Why Do People Use Alcohol And Drugs
Because many drugs act on the brains pleasure pathways, the user experiences intense euphoria followed by related emotional highs. Cocaine, for example, induces feelings of empowerment, confidence, high self-esteem and increased energy. People might chase these perceived emotional benefits for a variety of reasons, including:
- Social: People use alcohol and drugs often as a way to fit in with a particular group or to feel more at ease in a social setting,
- Stress: Substance abuse may be a means to escape problems or a way to reduce stress. The role of stress in beginning drug use, continuing drug abuse, or relapse in recovering patients should be addressed and approached holistically.
- Psychological triggers: People suffering from anxiety disorders, trauma, depression or other psychological illnesses may begin using alcohol and drugs to reduce or numb personal distress. Individuals with alcohol or drug dependence are nearly twice as likely to have a co-occurring psychological disorder.
- Peer pressure: Some people, especially teenagers and adolescents, are vulnerable to group pressure or the rationale that everyone is doing it.
Are People With Addiction Responsible For Their Actions
People do not choose how their brain and body respond to substances, which is why people with addiction cannot control their use while others can. People with addiction can still stop using substances its just much harder than it is for someone who has not become addicted. People with addiction should not be blamed for having a disease, but rather be able to get quality, evidence-based care to address it.
With the help and support of family, friends and peers to stay in treatment, they increase their chances of recovery and survival.
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Remember That Alcohol Is A Drug
One of the most common misconceptions is that alcohol is not a drug. Though legal, alcohol is a mind-altering substance. When taken in combination with other drugs, the effects can be deadly. Alcohol is also extremely addictive. In fact, it is one of the most addictive substances worldwide and accounts for the highest emergency room visits and addiction treatment center admissions across the United States. Alcohol can have many serious physical complications, worsen underlying mental health disorders, and fuel co-occurring addictions.
Alcohol abuse or alcohol use disorder is defined by the presence of alcohol cravings and the inability to quit drinking due to physical and psychological withdrawal effects.
Individuals with alcohol addiction, and with any other type of drug addiction, will use extreme measures to obtain their substance of abuse. This may include stealing, lying, hiding alcohol, pouring alcohol into shampoo bottles, or drinking household items that contain alcohol due to intense cravings and fear of withdrawal. Like benzodiazepines, withdrawing from alcohol can be dangerous and even lethal. As a result, the individual must be weaned off of alcohol under medical supervision, whether it is in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Individuals should seek professional help when trying to quit their drinking habits.
Addiction Relapses Are A Reality But Not Failure
Getting sober is hard. Staying on track is too. That’s the nature of living with a chronic disease. Success takes managing the changes in the brain and learning how to change deeply rooted behaviors. And then the toughest part for many: committing to managing new behaviors for the rest of your life. Sometimes it’s too much. Relapses happen, often many times. They’re not a treatment failure, but a cue to get back on track. That can mean making adjustments with or changing treatment.
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Common Symptoms Of Drug Addiction
Youve built up a drug tolerance. You need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects you used to attain with smaller amounts.
You use to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If you go too long without drugs, you experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
Loss of control over your drug use. You often do drugs or use more than you planned, even though you told yourself you wouldnt. You may want to stop using, but you feel powerless.
Your life revolves around drug use. You spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them, or recovering from the drugs effects.
Youve abandoned activities you used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of your drug use.
You continue to use drugs, despite knowing its hurting you. Its causing major problems in your lifeblackouts, financial issues, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoiabut you use anyway.
How Might Substance Use Disorder Affect Me
Drugs affect the brain, especially the reward center of the brain.
Humans are biologically motivated to seek rewards. Often, these rewards come from healthy behaviors. When you spend time with a loved one or eat a delicious meal, your body releases a chemical called dopamine, which makes you feel pleasure. It becomes a cycle: You seek out these experiences because they reward you with good feelings.
Drugs send massive surges of dopamine through the brain, too. But instead of feeling motivated to do the things you need to survive , such massive dopamine levels can lead to damaging changes that change thoughts, feelings and behavior. That can create an unhealthy drive to seek pleasure from the drug and less from more healthy pleasurable experiences. The cycle revolves around seeking and consuming drugs to get that pleasurable feeling.
Addiction to drugs changes the brain over time. It affects how the brain works and even the brains structure. Thats why healthcare providers consider substance use disorder a brain disease.
The first use of a drug is a choice. But addiction can develop, creating a very dangerous condition. Drugs affect your decision-making ability, including the decision to stop drug use.
You may be aware theres a problem but unable to stop. With addiction, stopping drug use can be physically uncomfortable. It can make you sick and even become life-threatening.
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How Are Drugs Being Misused
Whether accidental or intentional, drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 years old. Accidental overdoses tend to happen when people take more of a prescription medication than initially intended to achieve specific results or when they use too much of an illegal drug trying to get a better high. Intentional overdoses are usually a result of someone trying to commit suicide. Regardless of the intent, any loss of life due to an overdose is tragic. An overdose can have severe and lasting repercussions not just on the individual but also on their family and friends.
Just like an overdose, drugs are misused when individuals take more of a prescription medication than prescribed to achieve certain results, when they use too much of an illegal drug trying to get a better high, or when a prescription is given to or sold to someone else other than the prescribed individual. Prescription drug abuse is one of the most common ways drugs are being misused in the United States. Prescription drug abuse commonly occurs with sleeping pills, benzodiazepines, and prescription opioids.
How Can We Change Stigmatizing Behavior
- When talking to people with SUD, their loved ones, and your colleagues, use non-stigmatizing language that reflects an accurate, science-based understanding of SUD and is consistent with your professional role.
- Because clinicians are typically the first points of contact for a person with an SUD, health professionals should take all steps necessary to reduce the potential for stigma and negative bias.3 Take the first step by learning the terms to avoid and use.
- Use person-first language and let individuals choose how they are described.4 Person-first language maintains the integrity of individuals as whole human beingsby removing language that equates people to their condition or has negative connotations.5 For example, person with a substance use disorder has a neutral tone and distinguishes the person from his or her diagnosis.6
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Dont Wait Get Help Now
Experts from the National Institute on Drug Abuse explain that drug addiction is a chronic health condition that requires ongoing treatment. A wide variety of treatment options are available to help beat substance abuse and addiction.
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, WebMD Connect to Care Advisors are standing by to help.
