If you're struggling with substance abuse or addiction, you already know how it impacts most aspects of your life. You may find yourself thinking perpetually about using the substance you're addicted to. You may be wondering how to ensure that you have a steady supply of this substance or worry that you're running low. Of course, there are multiple signs and symptoms that are associated with addiction. However, if you experience withdrawal symptoms when you don't use a drug or alcohol within a certain period of time, you likely have developed a powerful dependency that is associated with substance addiction. In such cases, drug rehab is the best place to get help.

What Is Addiction?

Substance addiction is a powerful brain-lapsing condition that is chronic in nature and usually progressive. Without treatment at a drug rehab, it is unlikely to improve. Instead, untreated substance addiction is associated with high overdose rates and a myriad of mental and physical health problems, some that are life-threatening. Substance addiction involves powerful multi-type dependencies. When people think of addiction, they frequently think of the physical dependency, but substance addiction also involves mental dependency and behavioral dependency. It's important to enter a drug rehab equipped to treat each aspect of the addiction. If the psychological component of the disease is ignored, relapse is likely--as relapse rates can attest.

What Are Common Substances of Abuse?

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused addictive substances. An alcohol addiction is referred to as alcoholism. Other commonly abused substances in the U.S. include: heroin, prescription opioid-based painkillers, methamphetamine (meth), cocaine, K2, valium, lorazepam, Ritalin, LSD, and MDMA. Both illicit and prescription drugs can be highly addictive. If you are addicted to alcohol or any type of drug, treatment at a drug rehab can help.

How Is Substance Addiction Diagnosed?

When you visit your healthcare provider or a drug addiction rehab, you may be diagnosed with substance addiction. There are many signs and symptoms associated with this condition. Common signs and symptoms that can alert an addiction specialist to the presence of addiction include:

* Withdrawing from families and friends

* Taking larger amounts of a substance than you intended

* Feeling you need to take the substance regularly or often

* Needing to take more of the substance to achieve the same effect

* Ensuring that you have a supply of the drug

* Doing things to get the substance that you know are wrong

* Engaging in risk-taking behaviors when using the drug

* Failing in any attempts to stop using the substance

* Continuing to use the substance even though you know it leads to negative effects

* Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don't use the substance within a certain period of time

Substance addiction can occur after a long period of abuse or after just a few uses of a particularly powerful substance like heroine or meth. Even if you do not have a full-blown addiction but have been developing a pattern of substance abuse, you can benefit from treatment at a drug rehab center.

Why Do Some People Develop Addictions and Not Others?

First, it's important to realize that no one is immune to addiction. Anyone may develop a substance addiction given certain circumstances. Some people may have a genetic susceptibility that puts them at increased risk for developing an addiction. Environmental factors can also lead to addiction development. Conditions like poverty or growing up with someone who abused alcohol or drugs can also put someone at increased risk for addiction. Fortunately, addiction is a condition that can be managed effectively with treatment.

Mental Health Risks and Addiction

If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs, you are at increased risk for developing a mental health disturbance. This condition may be temporary or could become permanent. Addictive substances can alter the brain's chemistry, which can, in turn, cause a mental illness. Substance addiction can cause conditions like confusion, anxiety, depression, and even psychosis. As many as one-third of addiction sufferers also have a mental illness. When these conditions occur together, they're dubbed a dual diagnosis. Treatment must target both the mental health condition and the addiction simultaneously.

Physical Health Risks and Addiction

Substance addiction can serious impact an individual's health. Common health conditions associated with addiction include increased risk for cardiovascular disease, the development of some cancers, organ damage, and organ failure. The immune system can also suffer greatly. People who have a substance addiction may be at increased risk to contract illnesses like hepatitis or tuberculosis. People may also engage in high risk behaviors that can increase their chance of contracting a virus like HIV. Moreover, the addictive substance can reduce the individual's motor skills, leaving more vulnerable to falls and other injuries.

Addiction Treatment

Drug rehab centers are designed to help individuals who have substance addictions. Addiction has been known about and studied for decades. Today, addiction specialists have many options for treating people with an addiction. Evidence-based treatments like counseling and medical detox are key steps in the treatment process. Addiction rehab centers can develop a treatment plan that fulfills the individual's specific needs. The sooner treatment is obtained; the sooner the condition can be managed.

Choosing an Addiction Treatment Center

Drug rehabs are not all alike. Some specialize in traditional or conventional treatments. Some specialize in alternative addiction therapies and holistic treatment plans. Some include both conventional and alternative treatment options. There are also luxury rehabs and affordable treatment centers. Our service can help you locate a treatment facility that accepts your insurance or offers financing options. There are also addiction treatment centers that accept Medicaid and Medicare. You can even ask your doctor about area rehabs that may help you begin your recovery journey.

What Happens When You Enter a Drug Rehab?

Typically, when you enter a rehab, you'll be assessed by addiction specialists. They need to determine what substances are in your system. For this, they will usually require a urine or blood test. They may ask a wide array of questions about your drug or alcohol use. Knowing this information helps them design a treatment plan with your particular needs in mind. You can ask questions as well. When you enter rehab for treatment, you have options. You may want to choose an inpatient treatment program or an outpatient program. Both can help, but some people may require the complete immersion experience associated with an inpatient plan.

Medical Detox

Medical detox is the first stage of addiction treatment. Detox targets the physical aspect of addiction. Individuals are slowly and carefully weaned of the substance they're addicted to. Some people may think they can detox at home, but this is dangerous. Detox is associated with withdrawal symptoms. There's no telling how these withdrawal symptoms can impact you. Mild symptoms can quickly become severe. Symptoms of withdrawal include nausea, vomiting, headache, sweating, dehydration, insomnia, intense cravings, tremors, and panic attacks. Some people may experience depression or have suicidal thoughts. Severe symptoms can also trigger health emergencies like heart irregularities or seizures.

Within the addiction rehab center, individuals will be treated so that their withdrawal symptoms are reduced in severity. Staff will try to make you as comfortable as possible. There are many medications and therapies that can lessen the intensity of withdrawal so that people can detox comfortably and safely.

Counseling

Detox only targets the physical side of addiction. Other treatments are necessary to combat the psychological and behavioral aspects of the addiction. Individual and group counseling can help people understand what has triggered them to abuse alcohol and drugs. Therapists will also help people develop strategies for coping with those triggers and keeping relapse at bay. Since there is no cure for addiction, learning to manage this disease successfully with abstinence is the only way to keep it in check.

Other Addiction Treatments

Today's addiction treatment centers have many different offerings to help their clients maintain sobriety. They may offer group trips like hiking in the woods. They might feature alternative therapies like art therapy or equine therapy. They might include holistic therapies in their treatment plan like restorative yoga sessions or even cooking and nutrition classes. All of these therapies can help people in different ways by offering resources that support sobriety and healthy living.

Relapse Prevention

Relapse prevention is a cornerstone of addiction treatment. Once individuals transition back to their lives, they may experience the same triggers that led them to abuse drugs or alcohol. These might be negative peer groups, dysfunctional relationships, mental illness, or some other trigger. Even after addiction treatment is complete, many people benefit from on-going therapy or aftercare to help them effectively maintain their recovery journey without suffering a relapse along the way.

If you are addicted to a drug or alcohol, you must understand that this condition is beyond your control. With treatment, you can get help managing it. You can find an addiction rehab center near you today. There are many drug rehabs around the country that are within your budget and designed with your specific needs in mind. Don't wait to get the help you need to achieve lasting sobriety.