Written by Zach Miller , Medically Reviewed by Jocelyn Riden
July 1, 2024
Drug and alcohol dependence constitutes one of the most significant public health concerns in today’s world affecting millions of individuals. By negatively affecting the body and mind, one can potentially risk his/her career as well as personal relationships. However, there is a ray of hope in this situation. Substance abuse treatment offers a means of healing and a chance to rebuild your life so that you and those around you stand a better opportunity to avoid the grips of substance abuse.
The following is a summary of the intended message of the post, which is to encourage people to seek help in case of substance abuse. I will focus more on the benefits of therapy, the numerous therapies offered today, and how to comb stigma when seeking therapy.
Substance Abuse and Dependence
In simple terms Interpol states that substance abuse is the use of something in a detrimental manner this may include alcohol or prescription drugs. It may entail excessive drug use, a hazardous environment or simply dismissing undesirable consequences.
The authors propose that dependency is a worse condition than drug abuse because it is a chronic illness of the mind that controls the patient’s body reward system, thus making it challenging to refrain from using substances despite knowing the negative impact they have.
That being said, certain things can point to substance abuse and these include the following:
Here’s a list of frequent indications that may suggest substance abuse:
Physical signs:
Changes in appearance: Drastic fluctuations in body weight, red or swollen eyes, excessive shaking, difficulty in speech or sloppy looks, unhygienic body, and being ill-groomed.
Altered Sleep Patterns: He or she may be using drugs if, for example, the person has poor sleep patterns, constantly wakes up at night, or lacks vigor during the day.
Health Problems: Chronic diseases, out-of-the-blue accidents, or overall declining health might be suggestive of drug issues.
Weird Smells: The breath being acidic or the clothes reeking of chemicals could mean that a person is high on substances while repeatedly getting sick every time he drinks alcohol indicates a dependency on it.
Behavioral Signs
Secrecy and Deception: Risk-taking behavior, denial of chemical use/abstinence, and social isolation are likely signs of using chemicals.
Financial problems: Drug dependency may lead to skin breaking out in names of money as noticed in insurance, making constant borrowings, or selling property.
Relationship Issues: It is a red flag when the people in one’s life are complaining of stressful relationships or lack of communication, one is feeling alone and not doing their responsibilities.
Both risky use and risk-taking entail putting oneself at risk of harm through the use of substances, not protecting oneself in situations where one might get wounded while under the influence of substances, or being arrested or detained due to substance use.
Causes of Substance Abuse
Here are some significant elements that contribute to drug abuse:
Genetic predisposition: A family history of substance use disorder: Genetic impact can significantly influence an individual’s proneness to indulge in substance abuse. Those who have a hereditary tendency to develop the addiction might be in a position of greater risk.
Environmental factors: Teenagers or young adults are always influenced by their peers and the exposure they get from their homes, economic status, or exposure to drugs and other substances play paramount roles in substance abuse.
Psychological Factors: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and the like may make people turn to alcohol or drugs to feel better, thus increasing the likelihood of substance abuse as well.
Early Exposure: This means that having substance abuse problems during a later stage in life will be influenced by having substance abuse or drug/ alcohol use during the early stage of life. In pediatric patients, the brains are vulnerable to molecular tagging or any other changes that these medications bring.
Why is Substance Abuse Treatment Important?
Drug addiction is crucial because it helps the substance-dependent person acquire ways to manage everyday requirements without the use of chemicals in addition to healing the physical, psychological, and additionally social issues of an individual. Instead of combating drug addiction, it aggravates it it does not spare any part of life’s processes.
Improved Health: They either cure or malign/destroy parts of the body. This makes it necessary to have treatment programs including medical detoxification to enable them to handle the withdrawal symptoms.
Reduced relapse risk: Drug abuse treatment is not only the negative use of the substance in the client’s life but a broader approach. The patients will be provided with necessary prevention which will help them to avoid relapses.
Psychological stability: Relapse to substance addiction is due to some psychological disorder that could be anguish or depression The dual diagnosis or coexisting disorder treatment therapy is the best treatment for such conditions since it makes the individual undergo the emotional phase and transform into a positive attitude towards life.
Restoration of relations: Others include family and friends and they are also not spared by the effects of substance dependency for different etched reasons. In therapy, what has been noted about trust rebuilding and assertion of the target civics’ manner of interacting with others forms the basis for a good working relationship.
Increased Productivity: Self-impairment affects the worker or learner’s capability to perform assigned tasks effectively at school or in any workplace. It is about getting a person’s attention, that comes back to work to perform tasks well, efficiently, and as per the person’s potential and desire.
Reduced Risk of Legal Issues: In other words, this type of disease has legal ramifications Our health in essence is a legal matter. It saves people from other legal complications by ensuring the right tendencies are adopted by wiping out causes of substance abuse.
The following is a description of this particular substance That is dealt with and how it work
Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Inpatient rehabilitation involves receiving well-monitored and precise treatment delivery in a large architectural setting.
- The actual intervention modalities used in such programs generally consist of medical management, psychotherapy, psycho counseling as well as self-help groups.
Outpatient Programs
- In outpatient facilities, a lot of liberty is granted to the patient who needs treatment but cannot afford or does not need to stay at the inpatient treatment center. Several programs differ in the number of hours per week, including day therapy, Intensive outpatient – IOP, and normal outpatient.
Counseling and Behavior Therapy
Psychological intervention is another treatment method that is employed in the treatment of drug abuse this treatment includes counseling and behavior therapy. Psychotherapy can be obtained through different approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, motivational interviews, and other therapeutic techniques and assist individuals in how they might change their substance-related behavior.
Medication-assisted therapy
Medication-assisted therapy is an approach to catering for drug dependency that entails the prescription of medication, therapy, and counseling. In dealing with opiate and alcoholic patients, MAT is quite effective as a method of treatment unlike other approaches used in the treatment of drug addicts.
The Advantages of Substance Abuse Treatment
Reclaim Your Physical Health: there is always something wrong with the misuse of drugs on our bodies. Medical management of withdrawal involves treating the patient in a manner that would enable the individual to come off the substance safely.
Renew Your Mental Wellbeing: Depression and anxiety are among the psychological disorders that are often linked to addiction. Treatment also offers a treatment of such disorders as well as support that is aimed at ensuring that an individual is emotionally stable and secure.
Restore Damaged Relationships: Continued substance use affects the social relations that individuals have with their friends and family members. Treatment also indicates how to work on restoring communication, ward off relapse, and reconcile with those affected.
Improve your employability: A substance addiction can come in a way an individual can fail to get a job or even retain a job. Sometimes such programs help to gain employment by providing employment training, resume writing, and interview skills programs to find a new job with confidence.
Lead a Life of Freedom: I have lost many options just because I was addicted to this substance. It assists you avoid the hazard of the drug dependency loop
Invest in the Future: Counseling for substance abuse is a sort of investment in the future of a particular person. A healthy lifestyle leads to the accomplishment of personal and professional goals hence, a healthy lifestyle leads to a successful life.
Substance abuse treatment is more than simply drug avoidance. It’s about rediscovering oneself. It is the process of discovering who you are, becoming the best version of yourself, and being in control. It gives HOPE and a chance for a better tomorrow. Take the first step towards change. You deserved it.
Contact Palm Coast Treatment Solutions now for more information regarding our Treatment Programs.
There should be no misunderstanding that substance use appears to be unmanageable however it is possible to achieve recovery. It is okay to seek help, don’t feel shy to do so. A person should not feel embarrassed to pay for treatments, and the benefits are numerous.
For anyone out there or a loved one who that maybe battling substance abuse, here is your chance to get help now! You can reach us by phone on the numbers (386)-284-4151 and come to Palm Coast Treatment Solutions for more information and assistance.
info@shc.health 
