What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

No one ever plans on battling a drug use disorder, but this challenging disease affects millions of Americans every single year. Drug use disorders transform your mind and body and can derail your life. Fortunately, there is assistance for individuals battling drug use. Specialized drug addiction treatment is available in the area and can empower you to reclaim control of your life. Keep reading to learn more about drug use disorders and addiction and how people and their loved ones can prevail over these conditions with professional support.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

Many people consume illicit drugs for recreation or potent prescription drugs to address health conditions. But at what time does drug use become a life-changing disorder?

Typically, drug use transforms into a disorder when a person shows troubling patterns of use and loses control of their use. Drug use disorders are mental illnesses that range from mild to severe. These disorders disrupt your life and adversely impact your physical state.

There are different aspects of drug use disorders:

• Dependence develops when your body becomes so accustomed to a drug that it struggles to perform in its absence. You will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if you discontinue use of the drug.


• Addiction is a psychological dependence. Dependency-causing drugs change your neural chemistry so that you constantly want those drugs and feel driven to consume them more and more. You are unable to regulate your mind and actions. Addiction is the most extreme part of drug use disorders.

All levels of drug use disorder are damaging to your relationships, mind, body, and happiness. If you suspect you or someone you love has a drug use disorder, get specialized treatment for recovery. All individuals have a right to help.

What Drugs Are Habit-forming?

Addictive drugs include strong chemicals that modify your brain. Some are dangerous enough to be outlawed. Others are legal medicines but can become hazardous when taken improperly or consumed too frequently. Below are many of the commonly found addictive drugs in the U.S.:

• Narcotics deaden the senses, which causes them to be effective painkillers. Even so, people also use them to dull other unwanted feelings and can become addicted quickly. Narcotics are often grouped as opiates or opioids. Opiates are plant-sourced substances. Opioids are synthetic. Heroin is a widespread unlawful narcotic. Legal drugs like Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin, morphine, and fentanyl have medical uses but are addictive and commonly misused.


• Benzodiazepines are mood-changing drugs typically given for mental disorders. But, they can cause addiction when not taken correctly. Their calming qualities cause you to feel relaxed. Xanax and Valium are familiar benzos.


• Stimulants consist of prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall, as well as illegal drugs like cocaine and meth. They energize your central nervous system, leaving you feeling alert, animated, and elated. Excessive use of stimulants can be life-threatening.

All of these kinds of drugs can lead to a drug use disorder. They all have the potential to destabilize your life and trigger life-threatening medical conditions. Find assistance for yourself or a person you care about at the first signal of dependency.

How Does Drug Addiction Start?

There are many reasons why individuals start using habit-forming drugs. Some do so recreationally because they relish in the feelings those chemicals generate. Some people get addicted to prescription drugs they're using for medical purposes. Another group of people start using drugs to cope with untreated mental illnesses and experience temporary comfort.

Whatever the reason for first taking these substances, the route to addiction is usually the same. Your body starts to be reliant on the drug, and you feel sick when you don't consume it. You use more just to operate. You may gradually require higher doses for the drug to be effective. You appreciate how it makes you feel. You feel desperate without it and persist in using it. Ultimately, those chemicals overtake the reward system of your brain, and you cannot feel normal unless that drug is present.

If you're addicted, obtaining a consistent supply of the drug becomes all that matters. Numerous people endure illness, destroy relationships, lose jobs, and take significant risks becasue of drug addiction. Your addiction controls you and all aspects of your life, and you are powerless to stop without professional support.

What Are Indications Of Drug Addiction?

It could look like a drug use disorder would be obvious. However, these disorders can manifest differently among individuals, and loved ones will often try to conceal their drug use from family members. If you have doubts if you or a relative have a drug use disorder, reflect on the following indicators:

• Experiencing an irresistible urge to use the drug


• Failed attempts to slow down on or quit using the drug


• Dedicating lots of time and energy getting the drug, ingesting it, or recovering from its effects


• Consuming a prescription for longer timeframes or in greater amounts than intended


• Having difficulty fulfilling obligations due to drug use


• Letting go of cherished pursuits to take drugs


• Persistent use of the drug even though it harms relationships


• Continuing to use the drug even when it negatively impacts your mental and physical health


• Needing more of the substance to feel its effects


• Enduring withdrawal when making an effort to quit


• Engaging in risky behavior to get or use the drug

Drug use disorders can look different between people. If you or someone you love are displaying any signs of drug addiction , consult with an area doctor or addiction treatment specialist.

Where To Get Drug Addiction Treatment In

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-step process. The majority of individuals will endure relapses and have to return to certain steps many times. You may not be “cured” of drug use disorder, but many people acheive recovery and implement what they explore during treatment to build a rewarding, sober life. The key is getting expert, reseach-supported treatment that fits your needs.

Every person’s recovery journey will be uniquely their own. Even so, treatment typically involves the these steps at licensed treatment facilities:

• Drug detox is the method of letting your body clear itself of drugs. Your system will do this on its own if you don’t take more drugs. Unfortunately, if you have a drug dependency, you will experience withdrawal without using. To complete detox in a safe manner, you should enter an inpatient detox center that offers round-the-clock medical supervision and keeps you as comfortable as possible.


• Drug rehab programs also give you inpatient treatment. During rehab, you’ll continue to live at a treatment center and enjoy access to specialized healthcare for any persistent withdrawal symptoms. Every day, you participate in different kinds of therapy with the goal of grasping your addiction, learning new beneficial habits, and managing any existing mental disorders. You should remain in rehab until you feel physically and mentally strong enough to leave that drug-free environment.


• After you depart rehab, you should still receive intensive addiction treatment. Outpatient addiction and mental health services will help you move forward in life without drugs. These programs offer ongoing counseling and medication management. At first, you could participate in outpatient care each day and go home each night. Over time, you won’t need as much support and might only participate in therapy once a week or less.

Everyone deserves expert, compassionate addiction treatment. Regardless of how severe your addiction is, there is hope. Getting appropriate treatment at an accredited treatment center is critical to reach your goals. There’s no need to battle addiction by yourself. You will find numerous possibilities for drug addiction treatment .

How Can Families Help A Loved One Battling Drug Addiction ?

People with a drug use disorder need all the help they can get. Family members and friends can play essential roles in addiction recovery. If you are close to someone with a drug use disorder, here are several ways you can assist them:

• Help them check into a treatment facility


• Help them cover the cost of treatment


• Go to family counseling with them


• Play an active role in aftercare planning


• Provide a safe, sober environment to live


• Don’t pass judgment


• Set limits around their drug use


• Offer transportation to outpatient treatment appointments

Find Help For Drug Use Disorders Today

Nobody should confront drug use disorders alone. If you or a person you care about are battling with drug addiction, recovery is possible. Reach out to The Counseling Center at 866-850-5001 or fill out the contact form on this page. Someone will respond promptly to explore treatment. Every call is free and private. You can reach us 24-hours a day, every day of the year. Help is available now. We are ready for you.