856-333-3783

What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

November 08, 2024

Nobody ever foresees developing a drug use disorder, but this complex disease impacts millions of Americans each year. Drug use disorders change your body and brain and can ruin your life. Thankfully, there is help for anyone battling drug use. Expert drug addiction treatment is available in the Philadelphia area and can help you regain control of your life. Read on to discover more about drug use disorders and addiction and how individuals and families can prevail over these conditions with expert guidance.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

Numerous people take illicit drugs for social reasons or potent prescription drugs to address physical conditions. But at what point does drug use develop into a life-impacting disorder?

Typically, drug use transforms into a disorder when someone shows concerning patterns of drug use and loses control of their use. Drug use disorders are mental health disorders that vary between mild to severe. These conditions disrupt your life and have an adverse effect on your health.

There are different facets of drug use disorders:

Dependence occurs when your system becomes so accustomed to a drug that it struggles to function without it. You will endure distressing withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug.

Addiction is a psychological dependence. Addictive drugs modify your brain chemistry so that you continuously want those drugs and feel driven to consume them more and more. You are unable to manage your mind and behaviors. Addiction is the most severe part of drug use disorders.

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

What Drugs Are Addictive?

Addictive drugs possess powerful chemicals that alter your brain. Many are dangerous enough to be illegal. Others are legal prescription drugs but can become hazardous when misused or overused. Below are several of the frequently encountered addictive drugs in the United States:

Narcotics diminish the senses, which makes them potent pain relievers. Even so, people also use them to dull other uncomfortable feelings and can get addicted quickly. Narcotics can be categorized as opiates or opioids. Opiates are nature-based drugs. Opioids are manufactured. Heroin is a widespread illegal narcotic. Legal narcotics like Percocet, OxyContin, Vicodin, morphine, and fentanyl have therapeutic uses but are addictive and often used improperly.

Benzodiazepines are mood-affecting drugs frequently prescribed for mental disorders. Even so, they can turn addictive when not managed correctly. Their calming qualities produce a feeling of being relaxed. Valium and Xanax are well-known benzos.

Stimulants consist of medications like Adderall and Ritalin, as well as prohibited drugs like meth and cocaine. They stimulate your central nervous system, leaving you feeling alert, energized, and euphoric. Overdosing of stimulants can be life-threatening.

Each of these types of drugs can develop into a drug use disorder. They all possess the ability to derail your life and cause dangerous medical conditions. Get help for yourself or a person you care about at the earliest indication of substance dependency.

How Does Drug Addiction Start?

There are numerous reasons why individuals turn to habit-forming drugs. Numerous do so for enjoyment because they relish in the sensations those chemicals produce. Others become dependent on prescription drugs they're consuming for medical purposes. Many people begin using drugs to cope with undiagnosed mental illnesses and find temporary comfort.

Whatever the motivation for first taking these substances, the route to addiction is generally the same. Your body grows dependent on the drug, and you get unwell when you don't take it. You take more just to function. You may progressively require greater amounts for the drug to be effective. You appreciate how it makes you feel. You feel distressed without it and continue using it. Ultimately, those chemicals dominate the reward system of your brain, and you can no longer feel good unless that drug is in your system.

If you're addicted, getting a reliable supply of the drug is all that matters. Many people forfeit jobs, experience health problems, harm relationships, and take significant risks as a result of drug addiction. Your addiction overpowers you and all aspects of your life, and you are helpless to quit without specialized support.

What Are Signals Of Drug Addiction?

You might think that a drug use disorder would be apparent. However, these disorders can look different among individuals, and those you care about will often try to mask their drug use from family members. If you aren't sure if you or a friend have a drug use disorder, consider the following signs:

Experiencing an uncontrollable urge to use the drug

Failed attempts to cut down on or cease using the drug

Spending much energy and time obtaining the drug, ingesting it, or dealing with its effects

Consuming a prescription for longer timeframes or in higher amounts than prescribed

Having difficulty meeting commitments due to drug use

Letting go of favorite pursuits to consume drugs

Continuing to use the drug even though it damages relationships

Continued use of the drug even though it adversely impacts your physical and psychological health

Requiring more of the substance to feel its effects

Experiencing withdrawal when trying to halt use

Putting yourself at risk to obtain or take the drug

Drug use disorders may look different between people. If you or someone close to you are showing any signals of drug addiction near Philadelphia, talk to a local doctor or addiction treatment specialist.

Where To Find Drug Addiction Treatment In Philadelphia

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-tier process. The majority of individuals will endure relapses and have to return to certain steps multiple times. You may not be “cured” of drug use disorder, but countless patients enter recovery and implement what they explore during treatment to live a healthy, substance-free life. The key is finding expert, proven treatment that matches your needs.

Each person’s recovery journey will be unique. But, treatment generally includes the following steps at authorized treatment facilities:

Drug detox is the way to let your body cleanse itself of drugs. Your body will do this naturally as long as you refrain from taking more drugs. But, if you have a drug dependency, your body will go into withdrawal without using. To safely complete detox, you should enter an inpatient detox facility that offers round-the-clock medical supervision and takes measures to keep you comfortable.

Drug rehab programs also offer inpatient treatment. Throughout rehab, you’ll still live at a treatment facility and get access to clinical support for any ongoing withdrawal symptoms. Daily, you go to different kinds of therapy with the goal of comprehending your addiction, cultivating new beneficial habits, and addressing any existing mental disorders. You should remain in rehab until you become physically and mentally ready to exit that sober environment.

After you finish rehab, you should continue to receive expert addiction treatment. Outpatient addiction and mental health therapy will help you navigate your life without harmful substances. These programs provide regular counseling sessions and medication management. To start, you may attend outpatient care each day and go home in the evenings. Gradually, you won’t need as much care and could only attend therapy on a weekly basis or less.

Every individual deserves specialized, caring addiction treatment. Regardless of how serious your addiction may be, recovery is possible. Pursuing professional support at an accredited treatment center is necessary for your future. You don’t have to face addiction on your own. You will find many choices for drug addiction treatment near Philadelphia.

How Can Families Assist A Loved One Struggling With Drug Addiction Near Philadelphia?

Individuals with a drug use disorder need all the help they can obtain. Friends and family can be crucial to addiction recovery. If you are close to an individual with a drug use disorder, here are some ways you are able to help them:

Help them enter a treatment facility

Help them pay for treatment

Attend family counseling with them

Participate in aftercare planning

Give them a safe, drug-free environment to live in

Avoid passing judgment

Set ground rules around their substance use

Offer transportation to outpatient treatment appointments

Get Help For Drug Use Disorders Near Philadelphia Today

No one should try to handle drug use disorders by themselves. If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction, there is hope for recovery. Call Sunrise Detox Cherry Hill at 856-333-3783 or fill out our contact form below. One of our team members will respond promptly to talk about treatment. All calls are free and private. We answer 24-hours a day, all year round. Help is available today. We are standing by for you.