How to recover from drug addiction
Is Drug Addiction a Disease?
What Are The Signs of Drug Addiction?
- Weight change. People who are addicted to drugs often lose weight rapidly. This is because they are spending less time engaged in healthy activities and more time thinking about drugs and finding drugs.
- Mood changes. People who struggle with drug use will often experience mood swings and sudden, drastic mood changes. Mood changes are a hallmark of drug use, as drugs can alter the chemical makeup of the brain and change moods.
- Social withdrawal. One of the most important signs of drug addiction is social withdrawal. Drug users are more likely to spend time with other drug users, isolating themselves from healthy activities like family gatherings and trips to the park.
- Isolation. This is closely associated with social withdrawal. Drug users often prefer to spend time alone or with other drug users rather than engaging in healthy, sober activities.
- Sudden changes in spending. Sudden or frequent changes in spending are a sign that drug use is likely.
- Physical signs. Some physical signs of drug abuse include things like needle marks, burns or scabs on arms, legs, or fingers.
How Does Drug Addiction Develop?
- Frequency and intensity of use. Drug use can be anything from smoking a joint once a week to shooting up heroin several times per day. The more often someone uses drugs, the more likely they are to develop an addiction.
- Biological factors. Each person’s biology, genetics, and mental health are factors that make certain people more likely to become addicted to certain drugs.
- Psychological factors. Psychological factors play a role in drug addiction. People who struggle with low self-esteem, mental illness, or trauma are more likely to develop an addiction to drugs.
Consequences of Drug Addiction
- Physical health issues. Drug addiction can lead to an array of physical health issues including cardiovascular diseases, liver damage, immune system impairment, infections, and kidney damage.
- Relationship issues. Drug addiction can negatively affect relationships with family members, friends, and even romantic partners.
- Financial issues. Drug addiction can lead to financial issues including a loss of employment and mounting debt.
- Legal issues. Drug addiction can lead to legal issues. This can include things like court dates, a criminal record, and even jail time.
Factors That Make Drug Addiction More Likely
- Biological factors. Certain biological factors make certain people more likely to become addicted to drugs. People who struggle with mental illnesses or have a family history of mental illness or addiction are more likely to develop an addiction.
- Psychological factors. Psychological factors also make certain people more likely to become addicted to drugs. People with low self-esteem, a lack of positive relationships in their lives, a history of trauma, or mental illness are more likely to develop an addiction.
- Availability of drugs. The availability of drugs in an area also plays a role in drug addiction. People are more likely to become addicted to drugs that are accessible and cheap. – Social pressures. People may also use drugs as a way to fit in socially.
What Are the Most Addictive Drugs?
- Heroin. Heroin can cause a person to develop a physical dependence rather quickly, making it one of the most addictive drugs. It is also very easy to overdose on heroin, which can result in death.
- Alcohol. Alcohol is a psychologically addictive drug that is also socially acceptable, making it easier for people to become addicted to it.
- Cocaine. Cocaine is another psychologically addictive drug. Though it has a shorter high than heroin, it has a high potential for addiction.
- Marijuana. Though not as addictive as other drugs, marijuana is thought to be psychologically addictive.
- Other drugs. Other addictive drugs include prescription painkillers, amphetamines, and meth.
Can Drug Addiction Be Cured?
- Seeking help. The first step in treating drug addiction is seeking help. This can include things like visiting a doctor or therapist, joining a support group or attending therapy sessions.
- Getting support. Once you see a doctor about your drug use, you’ll want to surround yourself with supportive people who can help you break your drug habit.
- Finding other hobbies. Once you’ve broken the habit of drug use, finding other hobbies that don’t involve drugs is important. You can also consider joining a support group or seeing a therapist to help you cope with the emotions that drove you to drugs in the first place.
What to Expect During Drug Addiction Recovery
Reflect on why you abused drugs
Understand your triggers
During drug addiction recovery, you need to be on the lookout for what are called triggers. A trigger is something in your environment that causes you to have an intense craving for drugs. Triggers can be anything that reminds you of the way drugs make you feel. That could be a certain place, a person, or certain music.
You will notice that triggers often have to do with an event in your life that you were dealing with while you were abusing drugs. For instance, if you were using while you were in a relationship with an abusive partner, you may have developed a trigger around hearing that person’s voice.
It can be helpful to pay attention to how you feel when you are around certain people, places, or things, and to actively avoid what you know will trigger a craving. If you notice a certain event triggering a craving, you can also try to discuss it with a close friend or family member.
Staying sober during drug rehab
Part of drug addiction recovery is staying sober, even when others around you are still using drugs. This is a very difficult time for many people who are trying to recover from addiction. It is often referred to as “hitting a wall” or “slipping” when addicts who are living in a drug rehab facility choose to use drugs again. Hitting a wall is not a sign of failure or something to be ashamed of; it is a sign that you need more support and to make changes to your drug rehab program.
During drug rehab, you will likely live in a facility and have a daily schedule of activities. You will also have people around you who are trying to recover from addiction, like your peers. It’s important to remind yourself that it’s a process, and you can’t expect full recovery to take place immediately. But, it is also important to continue to work hard during this time.
For people in outpatient rehabs, it can be helpful to move into a sober living home. While sober livings are not medical treatment centers, they can nonetheless help people recover from substance abuse habits by giving them a safe and trigger-free environment. Clients will learn relapse prevention techniques and build a solid support system that can make it far easier to stay sober in the long run.