The medical field regards drug and alcohol addiction as a chronic brain-lapsing condition. This condition is typically progressive unless drug and alcohol treatment is obtained. If you are suffering from an addiction to a prescription drug, illegal drug, or alcohol, you can put this condition in behind you with professional drug and alcohol treatment that will help you manage this condition so you can achieve long-term recovery. Knowing about addiction's powerful dependencies and their effects may convince you that now is the time to get help.

Substance Addiction Sabotages Your Life and Health

If you have a substance addiction, you need to understand what these substances can do to your mental and physical health. First, the nature of addiction is that it causes you to develop powerful mental and physical dependencies on the substance in question. Addictive substances like alcohol, opiates, or methamphetamine literally change the chemistry of your brain. In some cases, these changes can be permanent. Your addiction may cause you to experience anxiety or depression. A long-term addiction or acute abuse event can lead to permanent brain damage that results in debilitating mental health conditions like psychosis.

In addition, substance addiction seriously affects people's physical health. Certain drugs such as steroids and nicotine can increase a person's risk for cancer. Substance addiction is also associated with an increased risk for kidney damage, liver failure and conditions like cirrhosis, cardiovascular problems, and respiratory problems. Also, there is always the risk of blood poisoning or overdose when too much of a substance is taken. People with substance addiction are at risk for contracting hepatitis as well as HIV. Many people engage in high-risk behaviors like sharing needles or having unprotected sex; behaviors that can cause people to contract these serious infections.

Health concerns are not the only reason to seek addiction treatment. People with substance addictions may suffer relationship problems, financial problems, and even legal problems. People with serious addictions often find it difficult to maintain their work responsibilities. To safeguard the important parts of your life, including your health, it's essential to obtain drug and alcohol treatment so you can manage this disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

People who suffer from addiction may begin to note the presence of certain signs and symptoms that should indicate to them--and others--that there is a problem. Do not ignore these signs and symptoms or wait for any to escalate in seriousness. The sooner a person gets into drug and alcohol treatment; the sooner they can protect their health. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of an addiction to alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs are:

Trying or wanting to stop using but failing to do it Lying about your substance use

Taking a higher dose or drinking more than you intended or know you should

Becoming more secretive about your drug use or drinking

Feeling preoccupied with thoughts of drinking or using drugs

Wanting to maintain a supply of the substance so you don't run out

Spending too much money on alcohol or drugs

Suffering withdrawal symptoms

If you experience these or other associated symptoms, don't expect them to go away on their own. Substance addiction is not a passing condition. You cannot control it without getting treatment that addresses each aspect of your addiction - it's physical and mental dependencies.

How Can I Find a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center?

In many cases, your doctor or clinic will be able to refer you to area addiction treatment centers. However, our service also offers confidential assistance to help you locate an addiction rehab that suits your needs. There are many addiction treatment centers around the country today. These certified addiction treatment centers are equipped to provide the best alcohol and drug treatment available today.

What If I Can't Afford Addiction Treatment?

Many people who suffer from substance addiction worry that they will not find a treatment center that can help them. They may not have insurance or any financial means for paying for this help. Today, many addiction treatment centers accept Medicaid and Medicare. If you can't afford to pay, you may qualify for assistance, and there are staffers available today at many clinics that can help you apply and obtain the assistance you need.

Additionally, of course, there are many insurance plans that do pay for care at addiction treatment centers. Many addiction rehabs also offer financing options. The thing to remember is that more than anything--you cannot afford to put off treatment if you are addicted to alcohol or drugs. This disease is chronic and is almost certain to progress--get more serious--with time. Our service can help you locate a treatment center that is ideal for you.

What Happens at an Addiction Treatment Center?

When you enter a rehab for drug and alcohol treatment, you will likely meet with an addiction specialist. Many addiction treatment centers offer various types of treatments and programs. By talking to you, they can recommend what treatments are ideal for your needs. Much can depend on the type of substance you're addicted to. It might be causing your specific symptoms. For instance, alcohol and depression frequently go hand in hand. A healthcare provider may suggest treatment for depression as well as addiction.

During the evaluation, you can also determine what type of platform is right for you. Should you an inpatient program or attend outpatient therapy? Your addiction specialist can help you decide. Keep in mind, however, that an inpatient stay will allow you to focus exclusively on your healthcare without any interruptions or temptations. If, however, you have a supportive environment and want to maintain your work or family obligations, you might be a good candidate for outpatient therapy.

Types of Treatment: Medical Detox

Medical detox is an important part of the recovery process. It is the part that addresses the physical side of addiction. Medical detox only is unlikely to be successful as substance addiction has multiple components that must be dealt with during drug and alcohol treatment. Even so, detox plays a major role. During medical detox, individuals will be carefully weaned off the substance they are addicted to. This weaning process eventually frees them from their physical dependency.

As you detox, you will likely experience withdrawal symptoms that could include a headache, nausea, cravings, depression, and insomnia. However, your medical caregivers will treat these symptoms to reduce their intensity and make you as comfortable as possible as you undergo the entire process. Medical detox may last a few days or a couple weeks. It depends on the drug in question, the length of time the addiction has been present, and the body's own chemistry. After medical detox is completed, other therapies can begin to address the other aspects of substance addiction.

What Happens after Medical Detox?

Many of today's addiction treatment centers feature multiple treatment plans and therapies. Most offer counseling whether it is individual counseling and group counseling. These are evidence-based therapies that have been shown to help individuals achieve recovery. They don't always work the first time around. Many people will relapse as statistics show. As with other types of diseases, sometimes more or alternative treatments are needed. Nevertheless, counseling helps people overcome their psychological dependency on drugs or alcohol.

Many treatment centers feature programs based on 12 steps. These programs might be the type of therapy you're looking for. Other people may be interested in attending a women's only support group or a program that's specific to their occupation. Our service can help you locate the programs that you're interested in attending.

What Are Alternative Addiction Treatments?

Evidence-based therapies are helpful--no doubt about that. However, there are many new therapies and treatments emerging that show great promise for people recovering from substance addiction. Art therapy, as one example, allows people who aren't especially comfortable talking about their problems or feelings to convey them by alternate means--through art prompts and projects. Other popular alternative addiction treatments include restorative yoga, music therapy, and equine therapy. During these treatments, you may learn alternative yet helpful ways to cope with your addiction and prevent relapse.

The Importance of Relapse Prevention

Whatever type of drug and alcohol treatment you choose, there should be some focus on relapse prevention. Preventing relapse is part of disease management. Should you relapse, more treatment is clearly needed. During your therapy, you'll learn how to identify the signs of relapse. By identifying them, you may be better able to ward them off. Once you complete your addiction treatment program, you may want to attend aftercare programs for their ongoing support. These programs, like AA and NA, can help you maintain your sobriety and prevent relapse.

With high-quality addiction treatment, you can get the vital help you need to manage your disease. Addiction is a serious disease that can prove to be life-threatening; it can certainly be devastating in more ways than one to individuals, families, and communities. Get the help you need today. Don't wait to enter a drug and alcohol treatment facility. Your life and health depend on it.