The issue of substance abuse affects millions of families and people in the United States. Whether an individual is misusing alcohol, prescription drugs, or hard-drug, the professional care may provide the structure, counseling, and support to experience a lasting recovery. In the process of finding a good substance abuse treatment, a lack of knowledge of the available and the mechanisms of the same is the first step towards a change.
What is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is said to be the harmful or hazardous application of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription medications and illicit substances. It involves routine habits which lead to severe impairment, endangerment to health, and failure to function in daily living. With time, the substance use can alter the brain chemistry, get tolerant, and result in physical dependency and psychological dependence.
What are the Types of Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse can use a great number of problematic substances. The most prevalent ones are:
Alcohol Abuse
Long term alcoholism, binge drinking or alcoholism as a coping mechanism to stress or emotional challenges.
Prescription Drug Abuse
Abuse of drugs including:
- Painkillers (e.g., opioids)
- Anti-anxiety drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines)
- Stimulants (e.g., ADHD drugs)
Illicit Drug Abuse
Use of illegal drugs including:
- Heroin
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
Polysubstance Abuse
Taking a combination of substances simultaneously that make one more likely to overdose and have serious health effects.
What are the Symptoms of Substance Abuse?
Depending on the substance and the method of intake, the symptoms may be identified, but they usually involve:
- Lack of regulation of substance use.
- To feel the same one requires additional amount of the substance.
- Cycles of negative effects.
- Failure to use withdrawal symptoms.
- Weak decision-making or thoughtless behavior.
- Drug abuse to cope with emotional or psychological distress.
What are the Signs of Substance Abuse?
The changes can be noticed prior to realizing the problem by the family members or friends. Common signs include:
- Isolation from loved ones
- Symptom Decreased activity or performance at school.
- Secretive behavior
- Changes in appetite, sleeping or sleepiness.
- Financial or legal problems
- The loss of the interests and hobbies.
These warning signs manifested consistently may be the moment to address the professional assistance, i.e. inpatient substance abuse treatment near me.
What Causes Substance Abuse?
There is hardly ever single factor that causes substance abuse. Rather, it is a result of a complex of biological, psychological and environmental factors, such as:
Genetics
The risk of addiction may be greater among individuals whose family background has had a history of addiction.
Mental Health Disorders
Possibly, depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder may be the causes that result in the possibility of substance misuse.
Stress and Trauma
The individual unresolved trauma, excessive life pressures, and childhood misfortune could be the contributory factors to substance use.
Environmental Influences
It may either be instigated by peer pressure, exposure to it at a tender age, or lack of support systems.
What are the Complications of Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse may bring about serious and even fatal complications including:
- Liver, heart, or brain damage
- Overdose
- Mental illness sensitized.
- Ineffective relationships, either the individual or family.
- Social and financial insecurity.
- Legal issues
- Its potential to commit suicide or abuse oneself increases.
These complications can be prevented or reversed through early interventions consisting of professional substance abuse treatment.
How is Substance Abuse Disorder Diagnosed?
The diagnosis is usually done by the licensed medical/behavioral health professionals. The process may include:
- Physical medical history.
- Mental health evaluation
- Debate on alcohol consumption and drug use.
- Review of medical history
- Laboratory tests and toxicology tests.
It is the professionals who determine how severe dependence is depending on aspects like tolerance, withdrawal, and the effects on regular daily life.
How is Substance Abuse Treated?
Medical treatment, psychological help, and long-term lifestyle adjustments usually go into the treatment of substance abuse recovery. The usual treatments are:
1. Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment
Inpatient programs do support 24/7 in a supportive program. Such programs are to be applied to severe addicts or the cases of co-occurring mental illness or the cases at a risk of relapse. Many of them find solutions to the inpatient substance abuse treatment in the area when clients need to consume care in full.
2. Medical Detox
Detox helps in the efforts of giving up substance safety under the assistance of a physician. This is to make the withdrawal safe and to relieve the pain.
3. Outpatient Treatment Programs
The clients are home based and attend periodic therapy and support sessions. This alternative would be suitable to people with light to moderate substance use goals.
4. Behavioral Therapies
Some of the therapeutics include the following:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Motivational Interactive (MI).
- Family counseling
These kinds of treatments help individuals to change their negative thinking pattern and learn healthy coping skills.
5. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
It is possible to take drugs in order to reduce cravings, normalize brain chemistry and help in the recovery process. MAT can especially be used in opioid and alcohol dependency.
6. Aftercare and Relapse Prevention
These long time supports may include:
- Support groups
- Peer recovery programs
- Continued therapy
- Lifestyle planning
Recovery does not happen once in a lifetime, but rather a life long process with the help of professional care and personal development.
Start Your Recovery Today
In case you or a loved one needs compassionate and evidenced based care in addiction, help is available. Solutions Healthcare offers customized programs to aid recovery, health and independence.
Call Today: (386) 866-3600
It is a step towards a soberer and healthier life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How is substance abuse treated?
The treatment can involve medical detox, inpatient, outpatient therapy, behavioral counseling, and medication-assisted treatment. The strategy will rely on the degree of addiction and the requirements of the individual.
Q. What are the most effective treatments for addiction?
Treatments that are evidence-based are cognitive behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, inpatient rehabilitation, and long-term aftercare support.
Q. What is recovery in substance abuse?
The process of addiction overcoming via treatment, lifestyle modification, emotional healing, and further support is what is called recovery.
Q. What medications are used for substance abuse treatment?
The most commonly used drugs are buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and acamprosate. They are used to decrease cravings, deal with withdrawal, and to aid in the long-term sobriety.
Q. How do you treat a patient with substance abuse?
Treatment can be effectively completed by means of medical examination, detoxification in case of need, organized therapy, medication assistance, and long-term relapse prevention.
