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.
Build Habits To Stay Busy
When you repeat a task over and over again, you start to create a habit something that you can do without really thinking about it. Some habits are good, like brushing our teeth or exercising, while others like drug use or smoking are bad. Whether youre forming good or bad habits, what youre doing is rewiring your brain. Repetitive tasks create new pathways in your brain and become permanent. Thats why its so difficult to break bad habits. You literally have to rewire your brain to break those habits.
Habits all have the same four stages: you receive or encounter a habit cue, you experience a craving, you respond to that craving, and you receive a reward. Does that sound familiar? If so, its because addiction is very similar which is why it can be so hard to make your way through recovery. Learn how to build good habits that will override your bad ones. It could be as simple as going for a run or lifting weights when you feel the craving for one of your bad habits. Maybe you need to be alone, maybe you need to call on your support system. Whatever you need to do, building habits can help you stay drug-free during your recovery jorney.
Condition Of Clients In Early Treatment
In the early stage of treatment, clients may be in the precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, or early action stage of change, depending on the nature of the group. Regardless of their stage in early recovery, clients tend to be ambivalent about ending substance use. Even those who sincerely intend to remain abstinent may have a tenuous commitment to recovery. Further, cognitive impairment from substances is at its most severe in these early stages of recovery, so clients tend to be rigid in their thinking and limited in their ability to solve problems. To some scientists, it appears that the addicted brain is abnormally conditioned, so that environmental cues surrounding drug use have become part of the addiction .
Typically, people who abuse substances do not enter treatment on their own. Some enter treatment due to health problems, others because they are referred or mandated by the legal system, employers, or family members . Group members commonly are in extreme emotional turmoil, grappling with intense emotions such as guilt, shame, depression, and anger about entering treatment.
Even if clients have entered treatment voluntarily, they often harbor a desire for substances and a belief that they can return to recreational use once the present crisis subsides. At first, most clients comply with treatment expectations more from fear of consequences than from a sincere desire to stop drinking or using illicit drugs .
Read Also: How To Help Someone With Addiction
Intensive Outpatient Rehab The First Second Or Third Step In Treatment
For others, the first step of drug addiction treatment is intensive outpatient rehab. Those who have a mild to a moderate issue with drugs can begin with this step while others transition to it after undergoing detox and inpatient rehab. Intensive outpatient rehab lasts for at least three hours a day and can be completed during the day or in the evenings. You live at home during treatment, instead of at the rehab facility, while still receiving group and individual therapy.Just like with inpatient rehab, the program is styled to meet your specific needs. You will be sent to the best groups to address your issues and you will have access to support staff when needed. While this is not as intense as inpatient rehab, it works wonders for many individuals. Those who dont experience a lot of external triggers and have a strong support system at home often turn to this option. This is also a good choice for those who need to continue working during the rehab process. Ones employment often instills confidence and a sense of purpose. For certain individuals, intensive outpatient rehab is a great way to recover.
Alvarado Parkway Institute Can Help You Overcome Drug Addiction
For over thirty-five years, Alvarado Parkway Institute has provided addiction recovery services to the San Diego community. Our intensive outpatient programs for chemical dependency are scientifically designed to help break the cycle of addiction. With support from our dedicated team of health professionals, you can achieve long-lasting sobriety and a healthy, happy life. Call us at and get on the road to recovery today.
Featured
You May Like: How To Leave An Addict
Taking The First Step Of Drug Addiction Treatment
Reaching that first step and both acknowledging the need for treatment and asking for help is a massive accomplishment. Although the road to recovery is rarely simple, with compassionate support, these early steps can be made easier.
If you, or someone you care for, needs help with that first step toward drug addiction treatment, AspenRidge Recovery is here for you. For support and assistance at any stage of recovery, please reach out to us at .
Understanding Drug Abuse And Addiction
People from all walks of life can experience problems with their drug use, regardless of age, race, background, or the reason they started using drugs in the first place. Some people experiment with recreational drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or to ease problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
However, its not just illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, that can lead to abuse and addiction. Prescription medications such as painkillers, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers can cause similar problems. In fact, next to marijuana, prescription painkillers are the most abused drugs in the U.S. and more people die from overdosing powerful opioid painkillers each day than from traffic accidents and gun deaths combined. Addiction to opioid painkillers can be so powerful it has become the major risk factor for heroin abuse.
Also Check: How Many Times Does An Addict Relapse
Educate Yourself About Addiction
You see what you know. Until you have knowledge about addiction and the symptoms of drug abuse, its easy to miss the signs that are right in front of you.
Addiction is complex, and its okay if you dont know everything right away. However, taking the time to understand your loved ones disease and how it affects them is incredibly beneficial to both you and your loved one. It also helps you be more aware of the signs that your loved one needs help.
Recognizing The Symptoms Of Drug Dependence
You can often determine if an addiction has turned into dependence by looking at behavior. When a person addicted to drugs hasnt had them for a period of time, this can cause a physical reaction. Physical symptoms of withdrawal occur when the body becomes stressed without the drug. These symptoms include:
Also Check: Dior Addict Lip Glow Rosewood
Why Drug Addiction Is A Social Problem
A common misconception surrounding drug addiction is that it solely affects the life of the user. However, the idea that they arent hurting anyone except for themselves is an excuse that many individuals who abuse drugs use in order to justify their addiction. Drug addiction is not a one-person phenomenon, and it creates a domino effect on the lives of those around them. It is a social problem that normalizes drug use and affects individuals and their families.
Effects of Drug Addiction
At first glance, a drug addiction may appear to only affect the person who is using. However, because addiction is a destructive issue that can have an adverse effect on the community, family, and individual, its very rare that other people arent affected. An individual neglecting their responsibilities as a result of drugs can negatively affect their career, childrens education, or familys financial security. Their impact can also extend outside of the immediate family. Friends or community members who rely on their presence or companionship can suffer from their absence.
There are a variety of short-term and long-term health effects associated with addiction. Although the specific effects vary between drugs, prolonged abuse of any substance can lead to chronic disease or alter an individuals productivity. The most permanent effect of drug addiction is death, which becomes more likely through addiction because of increased tolerance leading to overdose.
Principles Of Drug Abuse Treatment For Offenders
Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations,75 published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, synthesizes research on drug abuse treatment for drug abusers in the criminal justice system. It is intended as a resource for criminal justice professionals and the treatment community working with drug abusers involved with the system. The publication summarizes 20 years of research to provide guidance on evidence-based practices and identifies general principles on how to effectively address the drug abuse problems of populations involved with the criminal justice system .75
Read Also: Is Nicotine More Addictive Than Other Drugs
Substance Abuse Treatment Research In Criminal Justice Settings
Prison environments are inherently coercive,77 and special safeguards have been developed to ensure that prisoners can choose freely whether to participate in biomedical research without fear of consequence. Beyond mere equipoise, clinical trials must be designed so the research is of benefit to the prisoner participant regardless of the assigned study group. Within these constraints, it is important to conduct research to help improve substance abuse treatment and to assist in the successful transition of the substance abuser to the community. To facilitate research in this area, the National Institute on Drug Abuse created the Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies research cooperative,78 a network of correctional agencies linked with treatment research centers and community treatment programs.
Several avenues currently exist for providing drug abuse treatment as an alternative to incarceration. Drug courts were intended to provide a bridge between drug treatment and adjudication from the first drug court established in Miami in 1989, drug courts have increased in number to nearly 2000 today. States such as Arizona, California, and New York have created treatment alternatives to incarceration for first-time drug offenders, juvenile offenders, and others. Many states are coming under political pressure to reduce the costs associated with incarceration by diverting nonviolent drug offenders to treatment.
What Is An Internet Addiction
Internet and computer use are ingrained in contemporary society and have changed the way we live our lives more than any other technological medium yet. Despite this, relatively little is known about the effects of internet addiction on psychological functioning, mental health, and general well-being. Just last year, data from the Pew Research Center showed that 77% of Americans connect to the internet on a daily basis. While many believe that surfing the web or binging cat videos on YouTube is a relatively harmless act, there are some people who spend so much of their time using a computer or the internet that it has begun to interfere with their daily lives. When an action or desire becomes a hindrance and takes precedence over the most important aspects of ones life, like relationships, work, and school, it can become classified as an addiction.
Try Online Therapy
Paid Advertising. We may receive advertising fees if you follow links to the BetterHelp site.
Read Also: Disease Model Of Addiction Powerpoint
Types Of Addiction Recovery Available
The AspenRidge Recovery Center is there to offer help to individuals in all stages of their recovery journey, from the very first step of seeking help to maintaining sobriety in the future. The Colorado addiction center is available to lend support to people with addictions, as well as their families and loved ones.
AspenRidge uses evidence-based principles of drug addiction treatment. This comprehensive approach is multi-faceted, using both holistic and evidence-fueled treatment to create a recovery plan that works for the clients individual needs.
The initial step is a pre-screening questionnaire that is used to better understand the disease in each person. From here, the approach is tailored to the client. Addiction is a many-sided disease, and we adopt a similar approach toward recovery.
Compassion is an essential part of treatment. Those with an addiction can often struggle with feelings of hopelessness. Supportive treatment helps clients to recognize the negative impact of substance use, and encourages them to open up about their behavior.
Oct What Is The First Step Of Drug Addiction Treatment
Anyone who is struggling with drugs or alcohol should know the steps involved in treatment at San Diego drug detox centers. While addiction treatment is sometimes a lengthy procedure, it generally follows a similar protocol. Understanding the first step of drug addiction treatment can help you prepare for the road to recovery.
This article explains what this first step or, rather, what these first steps are. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what would be considered the first step, but there are a number of things that one might consider to be a preliminary step in the fight against addiction.
You May Like: Support Groups For Siblings Of Addicts
Adjustments To Make Treatment Appropriate
As clients move through different stages of recovery, treatment must move with them, changing therapeutic strategies and leadership roles with the condition of the clients. These changes are vital since interventions that work well early in treatment may be ineffective, and even harmful, if applied in the same way later in treatment .
Any discussion of intervention adjustments to make treatment appropriate at each stage, however, necessarily must be oversimplified for three reasons. First, the stages of recovery and stages of treatment will not correspond perfectly for all people. Clients move in and out of recovery stages in a nonlinear process. A client may fall back, but not necessarily back to the beginning. After a return to substance use, clients usually revert to an earlier change stagenot always to maintenance or action, but more often to some level of contemplation. They may even become precontemplators again, temporarily unwilling or unable to try to change a recurrence of symptoms does not necessarily mean that a client has abandoned a commitment to change . See and for a discussion of the stages of change.
With guidance, clients can learn to recognize the events and situations that trigger renewed substance use.
What Should Drug Education Focus On
The key to providing impactful drug education to people is to include content relevant to current experiences and interests. Implementing highly interactive pedagogies that engage individuals in problem solving and critical thinking allows them to work through pertinent scenarios and learn methods of improved self-awareness and positive assertiveness.
Providing the educational information in a manner that positions drug education with broader health and personal learning curriculum focused on mental health issues such as stress and anxiety aids in personalizing the information and increases the likelihood that the participants will connect with the information.
Read Also: What Is Drug Addiction Characterized By
Inpatient Rehab Step 1 Or Step 2
Some people move directly from intake to inpatient rehab making it their first step for drug addiction treatment. Depending on the level of treatment that you need, you may be able to start here. However, if you need to go to detox first, this will likely be your second step on the road to treatment for addiction.
You will meet for lunch and then continue with group and individualized therapy. There are multiple programs available that address everything from life trauma to spirituality. You can even join a mindfulness-based stress reduction group, where you will learn helpful techniques to use in times of stress. These techniques can be used in the real world when you feel an urge to drink or use a drug. At Lakeview Health, additional available activities include yoga, meditation, swimming, weightlifting, and a spa. These reduce stress which helps our patients focus more on their recovery. At the end of the day, you will eat a healthy dinner, and then you will be free to return to your room. The quarters are divided by gender, so you will spend the evening with individuals who are the same gender as you. This creates an additional sense of safety and security as you process what you learned during the day. To get started or to learn more about the specialized recovery programs Lakeview Health offers, give our friendly and experienced staff a call now at .
Symptoms Of Drug Abuse
There are many signs both physical and behavioral that indicate drug use. Each drug has its own unique manifestations, and symptoms of abuse vary from drug to drug. However, some general signs that your loved one may be addicted to drugs include:
- Sudden change in behavior
- Problems at school or work
- Lack of energy or motivation
- Becoming careless about personal grooming
- Loss of interest in hobbies, sports and other favorite activities
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Sudden requests for money or a spike in spending habits
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use or addiction, The Recovery Village can help. Contact us today to learn more about drug or alcohol detox and our other addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs.
Recommended Reading: Are You Addicted To Porn
