Addiction is a disease that many people never expect to struggle with. Countless individuals throughout the United States experiment with drugs and alcohol because of factors such as peer pressure and general curiosity. For many of those people, this experimentation never amounts to much of anything. Unfortunately, for others, simply experimenting with drugs can lead to a life-threatening and tumultuous battle with addiction.
It is estimated that 23.5 million Americans suffer from addiction to drugs or alcohol, which represents almost 8% of the entire population. No one ever sets out with an intention to become addicted to a drug like cocaine or heroin, however, intention never really plays a role in how a drug addiction develops anyway. Instead, there are several other contributing factors that can put people at risk for addiction when they experiment with drugs and/or are prescribed a habit-forming substance for a medical or psychological condition.
The disease of addiction is naturally very complex to understand, especially considering that those who are impacted by it suffer personal and emotional consequences of it, blurring their ability to see the disease for what it truly is. This complexity can make it hard for people to understand why some people struggle with drug addiction while others do not. To put it quite frankly, some people are more likely to become addicted to drugs than others due to specific risk factors in their lives. These factors include the following:
- Genetics – Studies have shown that addiction is a disease with a strong genetic link. Families, for example, share DNA with one another, meaning that it is possible for genetic brain characteristics or behavioral propensities to run in the family. Brain chemistry, cognitive function, and even behaviors such as impulsivity are often times genetic and lend themselves to the development of drug addiction.
- Environment – Usually, there exists some level of genetic or biological factors when someone is addicted to drugs, however, there can also be environmental factors that trigger the onset of abusive tendencies. Most commonly, issues such as poverty, violence in the home or community, sexual abuse, trauma, access to addictive substances, etc. all serve as risk factors for drug addiction.
- Psychological health – Nearly 50% of all individuals addicted to drugs also struggle with a co-occurring mental health disorder. Common mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and even the psychological effects of stress expose individuals to an increased risk of drug abuse and subsequent addiction. Drugs like heroin, prescription sedatives, and stimulants can all be abused as a way to self-medicate or numb painful emotions.
The origins of one’s drug addiction are extremely important because being aware of what catapulted the addiction to the forefront can guide individuals towards the proper professional treatment they need in order to make a successful recovery. However, when someone is in the thick of an active drug addiction, there are more pressing issues to be concerned about outside of how the addiction began.
SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ADDICTION
The real work in treating a drug addiction cannot begin if the user or his or her family members are unaware of what constitutes a clinical substance use disorder. Every single drug user has a unique relationship with the drug or drugs of his or her choosing, making it so no two drug users experience addiction the exact same way. This means that many of the symptoms someone shows when addicted to a drug can vary from the symptoms someone else might display. However, all things considered, there are several commonly experienced symptoms that people from all different types of backgrounds and who are abusing a wide variety of drugs can display when dealing with this disease. These include the following:
- Using drugs for longer than originally planned or intended
- Abusing drugs that have been prescribed outside of the recommended guidelines or abusing prescription drugs without having a prescription for them
- Continuing to abuse drugs despite wanting to stop using
- Feeling scared to stop drug use out of fear of what withdrawal symptoms might develop
- Continuing to abuse drugs even after suffering one or more consequences of that abuse
- Abusing drugs in situations that put the user or others in danger, such as when operating a vehicle or while on the job
- Developing secretive and dishonest behavior in an effort to hide the drug use or the severity of it from others
- Losing a job, being suspended or expelled from school, or experiencing loss of close relationships due to drug abuse
- Withdrawing from people, places, and activities that were once thoroughly enjoyed
- Spending excessive amounts of time thinking about drugs
- Experiencing changes in physical appearance, such as rapid fluctuations in weight, tooth decay, skin problems, and poor hygiene
These are just some of the classic symptoms associated with drug addiction, as they are applicable to those who are addicted to any type of drug, ranging from marijuana to fentanyl. If any of these symptoms are occurring in your life or in a loved one’s life, reaching out to our Florida drug rehab right now can prevent you or your loved one from paying for drug addiction with the ultimate price of your life.
SIDE EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION
It does not take long for people who are abusing drugs to start becoming symptomatic of their addiction. The symptoms listed above can seemingly develop overnight and making attempts to prevent them from occurring can often be fruitless. However, if someone who is starting to display any of the above-listed symptoms can get help as quickly as possible, he or she might be able to avoid suffering from the side effects associated with continued drug abuse and untreated addiction.
Every drug, while similar in how it causes people to behave, produces different effects. Someone who is addicted to heroin is not going to experience the same effects as someone who is addicted to Adderall. Knowing what these side effects can be can make a major difference in allowing an addiction to drugs to persist or not. Consider the following side effects of the following drugs:
Opioids
Opioids include heroin, OxyContin, fentanyl, Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, codeine, and other popular prescription pain medications. When someone is addicted to opioids, he or she can experience the following effects:
- Vital organ damage (liver, kidneys, heart, lungs)
- Ulcers
- Seizures
- Memory problems
- Brain damage (including to the overall structure of the brain and its general function)
- Coma
- Shallow breathing
- Chronic constipation
Stimulants
Adderall, Ritalin, methamphetamine (“meth”), cocaine, and crack cocaine are the most widely abused stimulants in the United States. The abuse of stimulants produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, and intense focus, all of which are highly attractive to users. Continued abuse of stimulants, however, can cause the following effects:
- Cardiovascular complications (including heart attack, heart disease, heart failure, infection of the heart muscle, etc.)
- Depression
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Violent or aggressive behavior
- Extreme exhaustion
- Increased heart rate and pulse
Sedatives
Ativan, Xanax, and Valium round out the top three most common sedative substances abused in the United States. Typically used to help treat symptoms associated with anxiety disorder, sedatives are also sought after because of their ability to produce an overall sensation of calmness and relaxation. Continuing to abuse sedatives can lead to:
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Excessive fatigue
- Seizures
- Shallow breathing
- Suicidal thoughts/ideations
- Increased heart rate
- Liver damage
The most common side effect associated with these types of drugs, plus other classes of drugs including hallucinogens (LSD, peyote), dissociative substances (Ketamine, PCP), and inhalants (paint thinner, glue, aerosol sprays), is the risk for overdose. When too much of a substance has been consumed, the body starts to shut down. Those who overdose on opioids or sedatives usually suffer from respiratory failure, while those who overdose on stimulants experience fatal cardiac complications. Make no mistake about it – addiction to any one of these kinds of drugs can, and many times does, end in overdose when professional addiction treatment is not obtained.
To prevent these symptoms from occurring, or to stop them from continuing to occur in your life or the life of a loved one, reach out to our Florida drug rehab right now.
DO I NEED TO GO TO FLORIDA DRUG REHAB?
Even if you are completely immersed in the deadly cycle that is drug addiction, it can still be hard to get to a point where you are comfortable admitting to yourself or others that you have a problem. This is because coming to terms with the idea that you are addicted to drugs can be earth-shattering, even if your addiction has been going on for an extended period of time. It is extremely hard to admit that you have gotten to the point where you are no longer in control of your life or unable to handle your current situation on your own. As human beings, we always want to believe that we have control over our actions, and so suffering from addiction, which is the loss of control or power over the choice of whether to use drugs or not, is counterintuitive to our make-up. Coupled with this is the fact that addiction can be so powerful that it can blind even the most obvious drug user into thinking that he or she can stop using anytime he or she wants. Someone addicted to drugs can spend every last penny they have and be on the verge of eviction, jail time, or even divorce or loss of child custody and can still believe that they are able to manage their addiction on their own.
To an outsider who has not experienced addiction issues before, this all looks like madness—hence why family members often times cannot understand why their loved one continues to use even when he or she is headed towards disaster. But to those who are acquainted with addiction, it is fully understood just how this constant need to use works.
If you are like millions of people who are currently addicted to drugs and are unsure if you need to get professional help, it is important to be aware of the signs that can signify if you need to enroll in rehab, such as our Florida drug rehab. Ask yourself the following:
- Have you suffered physical, mental, social, or professional consequences as a result of your drug use?
- Have your friends, family, or loved ones expressed concern about your use and/or asked you to stop using?
- Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when you are unable to use as much as you normally do or unable to use at all?
- Do you feel like you cannot function without using?
- Are you hiding your drug abuse from others out of fear of judgment or interference?
- Have you harmed yourself or others while under the influence?
- Have you lost your job as a result of your drug use?
- Have you made attempts to stop using but have been unsuccessful?
- Are you consuming large amounts of drugs in order to get high?
If you are at the point where you are ready to reach out for the help that you need in order to get back in control of your life, then contact our Florida drug rehab right now. Not only do we understand what you are going through, but we have the right people and services in place to help you change your life for the better. Our Florida drug rehab may just be the answer you need.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT OUR FLORIDA DRUG REHAB CENTER
The model of treatment at our Florida drug rehab center is a multi-disciplinary, holistic method for treating all aspects of the disease of addiction, including one’s physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. We are pleased to have a team staffed with educated, experienced, and compassionate addiction specialists who have extensive training in how to best help people recover from their drug addiction. All staff members, including medical and mental health professionals, have the required licenses and certifications needed to provide exceptional care for each and every one of our clients. Beyond this, several members of our staff at our Florida drug rehab are in recovery themselves, allowing them to relate to those individuals who cross our threshold looking for guidance and support. While everyone on our staff at our Florida drug rehab are knowledgeable and experienced in the disease of addiction, those who have gone through it firsthand have a special advantage in connecting with our clients, as they have walked a mile in their shoes.
At our Florida drug rehab, we know what it is like to feel totally helpless in the face of addiction. But we also know that putting a stop to active drug abuse and building a life of recovery is one of the most refreshing, freeing, and empowering feelings that anyone can ever have. It is our job to help you experience those feelings, along with several others that will continue to motivate your sobriety.
We ensure that every client who comes to us for care is provided with evidence-based treatments and therapies designed to help address all aspects of their drug addiction. For many of our clients, that treatment begins with medically-assisted detox.
Detox
Our medically-assisted detox allows clients to clear their bodies of the drug or drugs that they have been abusing so that they are no longer under the influence of these mind-altering substances in any way, shape, or form. We know that that vast majority of those who enter into detox are feeling dreadful over the thought of experiencing withdrawal symptoms, which is why we do everything in our power to ensure that they are comfortable during this time. Depending on the drug that the client is addicted to, we can provide prescription medications to help ease the symptoms that develop (along with the intensity of them) and help reduce overpowering cravings for continued use. Once clients have completed their stay in detox and are prepared to move into the next stage of treatment, they will do so by beginning therapeutic care.
Therapy
Through our intensive outpatient program, we offer comprehensive treatment to address physical, mental, and spiritual healing, including several different evidence-based therapies proven to help. Clients will be given the opportunity to get acquainted with the recovery community in the surrounding area and will begin to learn about 12-Step programming and how it can positively impact their lives. While this may be uncomfortable at first, we will help you get better acquainted with the program so that you can utilize it for the countless benefits it can bring to your life. At our Florida drug rehab, we embrace the 12-Steps, show you how to work them, and help guide you in finding a sponsor who can help you through all the stages of your recovery.
BALANCING FUN WHILE IN A DRUG REHAB CENTER
Our Florida drug rehab prides itself on the provision of top-of-the-line, cutting edge addiction treatment, however, we also understand the need for our clients to relax and have fun in their recovery, too. Therefore, part of our holistic approach to recovery is learning how to live a balanced, happy life without abusing drugs. To best teach this balance, the team at our Florida drug rehab leads by example, including clients in daily activities such as walks on the beach, fishing, reading, or engaging in other recreational activities that they can have fun doing. We also offer time for rest, reflection and rejuvenation, as these things are equally as important as learning how to have sober fun. We encourage each one of our clients to embrace this balance and implement it into their lives both while at our Florida drug rehab and when they return home.
Another important aspect of our programming at our Florida drug rehab is the ability to make lasting connections and create a strong network of support. Addiction is a very lonely disease and it often times isolates the individual from everyone around him or her. When users are in their active addiction, they might be surrounded by people on a regular basis but still experience pervasive loneliness. When our clients enter into our program, we encourage each one of them to connect with one another so that they can all benefit from continued support.
ENGAGING THE FAMILY WHILE IN A FLORIDA DRUG REHAB CENTER
Addiction is a family disease, meaning that it not only affects the person who is abusing drugs, but it also impacts the lives of those around him or her. Family counseling is a vital part of each clients’ recovery at our Florida drug rehab. We know that both our clients and their families may need more help understanding the disease of addiction and obtain direction on how to go forward now that drugs are no longer being abused. Family counseling and education continues to be an imperative part of our recovery model at our Florida drug rehab. We know that recovery does not stop on the last day enrolled in our programming, but rather it is just beginning. This is why we work with both the clients and their families to reconnect them as one functional unit so they can move forward in a healthy, happy manner.
GET PROFESSIONAL HELP AT OUR FLORIDA DRUG REHAB RIGHT NOW
Being trapped in an ongoing pattern of drug use and abuse can be completely demoralizing. It can be so cumbersome that it becomes nearly impossible for those addicted to drugs to see past their next hit, completely eliminating the consideration of getting professional help. The longer that a drug addiction is allowed to continue, the closer a person gets to suffering serious, life-altering consequences that can include a fatal overdose. Thankfully, there is help available that can address the needs of even the most hardcore drug users and guide them towards a life of recovery.
If you think that you or your loved one may have a problem with drug addiction, reach out to our Florida drug rehab. Do not wait one more second. You or your loved one’s life depends on it.