Not everyone that is drinking alcohol or using drugs any now and then is an addict. Some only have some wine on a Friday night dinner, whereas others do drugs once in a year, for various reasons.
If you worried enough and didn’t know if you’re an addict or not, reading the next article is going to help you see clearly. Anyway, only the fact that you wonder is a sign that you don’t find it reasonable to have all that wine at the end of the week.
What is rehab?
A rehab (rehabilitation center) will provide you treatment for using substance/alcohol, whether it’s in the form of outpatient addiction treatment or intense medical care of inpatient hospitalization.
Enrolling in an organized drug rehab program is a fundamental step for people dealing with addiction in their lives. Not everyone likes the formal aspect of rehab institutions, which is why they decide to solve it on their own. Unfortunately, overcoming your addiction without any professional help is nearly impossible, especially when your addiction is severe. In such a case, Detox Pennsylvania can help.
Should you wonder if you have an addiction or not, the following symptoms will make it clear for you. Any of the following symptoms should put you in doubt about your addiction next time you’re using it.
Here they are:
Using the substance is your no.1 on your to-do-list
An essential sign of you already being an addict is when your chosen material is the central theme for the day, sort to speak. When all you think about throughout the day is how you’re going to use the substance later in the day, it’s time to admit you have a problem.
As your addiction worsens, many of your past activities, interests, and commitments become less and less impressive, with substance abuse taking control. You no longer feel the need to spend time with people you like or have any interest in participating in your former favorite activities. Maybe it’s time to admit that you already deal with an addiction.
It takes more to get you high
When you’re using a substance for the first time, you feel the effects pretty hard. It’s why the first time is always the “best.” The more you’re using, though, your body gets adjusted to the substance and develops tolerance. As tolerance gets higher, your body will need more and more of the substance to give you the stimulating effects.
The risk of overdose gets higher. The heroine is a depressant, and it can slow the breathing and pulse rate when you’re taking too much. It’s how people die.
Do you need to consume your substance more than a while ago? Do you need to do it more often? It’s how addiction is defined.
Your health worsens
There are numerous adverse effects on your health when using substances. For instance, when you’re drinking alcohol for a long time, you will develop different kinds of cancer and long-term liver issues.
Substances alter your health on a mental and physical level as well:
- The adverse effects on your physical health range from mild to fatal, depending on the amount you take, the period, and the kind of drug.
- Many drugs alter one’s mental health, with anxiety, depression, and even signs of psychosis being common symptoms.
When you’re getting help, many types of rehab systems will take care of your body and soul. For instance, at The Holistic Sanctuary, people will try to heal you on a spiritual, emotional, and physical level. It’s because the methods (with the Pouyan method being patent-pending at the moment) include not only detoxification of the body, but also meditation, massage, Yoga meditation, and many more ways. The holistic approach makes perfect sense as addiction takes control over your body and soul too.
You already have a mental illness
According to SAMHSA, back in 2014, nearly 8 million people would deal with both mental illness and substance use disorder. Unfortunately, more than 20 million people already struggled with substance use disorder.
There are many reasons for which people would abuse various substances. The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that self-medicating when the suffering of mental illness is a fundamental factor for people starting and continuing abusing substances. The majority of drugs will also harm the mind. They become a tool for people’s coping mechanisms, altering the way they feel, think, or behave. It’s only a matter of time until the use of the substance is going to trigger or even make the mental health symptoms even worse. It’s a vicious circle since the patients will most likely end up using higher amounts of the substance as trying the alleviate the symptoms.
Dealing with a co-occurring condition is more challenging than treating an addiction solely. It’s because it’s also necessary to address the underlying mental health condition, together with the substance addiction.
When the treatment doesn’t address the underlying mental condition, the risk of relapse is incredibly high. Many dual diagnosis treatment centers will ensure professional care so that anyone in the category has a better chance of healing for a long time.
When you tried and failed to succeed on your own
It was some time ago when professionals finally admitted that substance addiction is a chronic disease that requires professional help and treatment. Otherwise, the risk of relapse and recovery is quite high. Whenever a patient is coming back to the substance, he/she will need to try abstinence in new ways for complete healing.
The variety of methods and rehab systems is promising, with self-groups and outpatient treatments becoming more and more popular. However, many professionals think that methods lack intensity. The processes need to be adjusted to one’s values, personality, particularities, and substance of use. If not, the plan will fail, or the addiction will come back.
Don’t hesitate to seek help
Even though admitting you have a problem may come difficult, it’s a necessary step for dealing with your addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA) reminds us that rehab programs can offer services that include:
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Screening and diagnosis of various substance addiction
- Medication
- Treatment for substance use and mental health
- Education on substance use and mental health
- Transitional services
Remember that addiction is a chronic disease, and you should give yourself time for healing.
