Ending Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a learned behavior; ending drug addiction is the process of unlearning this behavior so that living life clean and sober becomes natural and long lasting. Drug addiction treatment was created with premise of ending drug addiction. Treatment is a multi-step process; it means getting stable as well as staying stable in one's life long after participating in rehab.
Drug addiction is a complex problem involving biological changes in the brain as well as a myriad of social, familial, and environmental factors. Therefore, ending drug addiction must address a variety of problems. Drug addiction treatment strategies should address the physical, psychological, emotional, social and behavioral aspects of the individual's drug addiction problem.
Additionally, there is more to drug addiction treatment than just ending drug addiction. Drug addiction treatment also helps to restore the individual to their pre-drug using days and guides them to become a productive and functioning part of their family, workplace, and community. Through participation at a rehab center, individuals begin to gain control of their thought processes, and slowly the obsession to use drugs or return to old ways of life will dissipate. While in drug addiction treatment, clients will examine harmful beliefs and destructive patterns of behavior as well as adopt new life skills, coping skills and constructive ways to interact with others.
It is common for many addicts to minimize their drug addiction problem and instinctively want to take the path of least resistance by choosing a minimal rehab program with the shortest amount of time involved. It is this way of thinking that most commonly leads to relapse. Keep in mind that gaining happiness and sobriety is a big job and it should last the rest of your life. The individuals in drug rehabilitation centers who dedicate themselves to their recovery and allow themselves proper time and focus to achieve their sobriety are those who are the most successful in ending drug addiction.
The results of the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse and Addiction revealed that while millions of Americans habitually smoke pot, drink alcohol, snort cocaine, and swallow prescription drugs, many drug users do not recognize that they have a painkiller or other drug addiction problem. The figure of those "in denial" about their drug addiction is estimated at more than 4.6 million.
Those who struggle with drug addiction do not set out to destroy themselves, or everyone and everything in their path. Rather, these disastrous consequences are the effects of the vicious cycle of drug addiction. For many, drugs seem to be a means of averting emotional and physical pain by providing the user with a temporary escape from life's sometimes uncomfortable realities such as depression and stress.
Physiological sensations are abused to create a new reality or a "high" when one does not wish to correct one's physical, emotional, and spiritual reality. An addicted person often does not believe that it is possible to have a satisfying, happy life by ending drug addiction.
Addiction or substance abuse is a complex psycho-chemical problem. A person with an addiction experiences cravings that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences. During a craving, a person with an addiction misses the habit-forming drug terribly, and often he or she experiences symptoms of withdrawal.
Withdrawal refers to the physical problems and emotions you experience if you are dependent on a substance (such as alcohol, prescription medications, or illegal drugs) and then suddenly stop or are ending drug addiction. Symptoms of withdrawal are caused by decreased amounts of alcohol or drugs in the blood or tissues of a person who has grown accustomed to prolonged heavy use and who then suddenly stops. Withdrawal syndrome is a set of symptoms that occur when you decrease or stop drinking or using drugs after using alcohol or drugs for a long time.
Symptoms of withdrawal from either illegal drugs or medications such as antidepressant prescriptions depend on the drug or combination of drugs. The common symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drenching sweats
- Nervousness and shaking
- Seizures
- Death
Withdrawal symptoms from ending drug addiction can last a few days to a few weeks and may include nausea or vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms only occur if a person has regular, heavy use of a drug. Drug withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable without professional help. Treatment for withdrawal from alcohol or drugs may require a medical professional to be present.
Drug and alcohol rehabilitation is often the best way to overcome withdrawal symptoms and recovery from ending drug addiction. There are a number of different signs to signify withdrawal symptoms depending on the drug of abuse. More noticeable signs are associated to certain drugs. However, there are some withdrawal symptoms that are associated with all drug use. If you are dependent on alcohol or drugs and are experiencing symptoms of withdrawal and looking to end drug addiction for yourself, please contact us so that we can provide you with help and guidance.