470-348-5426

What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

November 08, 2024

Nobody ever foresees developing a drug use disorder, but this serious disease impacts millions of Americans every single year. Drug use disorders alter your mind and body and can ruin your life. Fortunately, there is support for individuals battling drug use. Expert drug addiction treatment is accessible in the Duluth area and can help you reclaim control of your life. Continue reading to discover more about drug use disorders and addiction and how individuals and their family members can overcome these conditions with professional help.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

Numerous people consume illicit drugs for recreational purposes or powerful prescription drugs to manage health conditions. But at what time does drug use become a life-altering disorder?

Typically, drug use becomes a disorder when an individual displays problematic patterns of drug use and can no longer manage their use. Drug use disorders are mental health conditions that range from mild to severe. These disorders unsettle your life and adversely affect your wellbeing.

There are differing aspects of drug use disorders:

Dependence begins when your system becomes so reliant on a drug that it struggles to operate in its absence. You will endure distressing withdrawal symptoms if you quit using the drug.

Addiction is a mental dependency. Habit-forming drugs modify your brain function so that you continuously desire those substances and feel compelled to take them in growing amounts. You are no longer able to manage your thoughts and behaviors. Addiction is the most severe part of substance use disorders.

All phases of drug use disorder are hurtful to your body, mind, relationships, and happiness. If you suspect you or a person you love has a drug use disorder, get competent support for recovery. Everybody is entitled to help.

What Drugs Are Habit-forming?

Addictive drugs possess strong chemicals that modify your brain. Various ones are dangerous enough to be outlawed. Others are approved prescription drugs but can become unsafe when used improperly or consumed too frequently. Below are many of the commonly found addictive drugs in the United States:

Narcotics dull the senses, which makes them potent pain relievers. But, people also use them to decrease other unwanted feelings and can become dependent rapidly. Narcotics are often classified as opiates or opioids. Opiates are nature-based substances. Opioids are manufactured. Heroin is a widespread prohibited narcotic. Legal narcotics like OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, fentanyl, and morphine have therapeutic uses but are dependency-causing and commonly misused.

Benzodiazepines are mood-changing drugs often prescribed for psychological disorders. Even so, they can cause addiction when not used correctly. Their tranquilizing qualities cause you to feel relaxed. Xanax and Klonopin are widely recognized benzos.

Stimulants encompass medications like Ritalin and Adderall, as well as illegal drugs like meth and cocaine. They stimulate your central nervous system, leaving you feeling vigilant, exhilarated, and invigorated. Overdosing of stimulants can be life-threatening.

Each of these types of drugs can lead to a drug use disorder. They all possess the ability to derail your life and cause life-threatening medical conditions. Get assistance for yourself or a person you care about at the earliest signal of dependency.

How Does Drug Addiction Begin?

There are various reasons why people start using dependency-causing drugs. Numerous do so for enjoyment because they like the sensations those chemicals generate. Others get addicted to medications they're consuming for medical treatment. Another group of people start using drugs to cope with unmanaged mental illnesses and find brief relief.

Whatever the motivation for first taking these substances, the progression to addiction is typically the same. Your body starts to be reliant on the drug, and you get unwell when you don't take it. You use more just to function. You may progressively need higher amounts for the drug to be effective. You appreciate how its effect feels. You feel distressed without it and persist in using it. Over time, those chemicals take control of the pleasure circuits of your brain, and you are unable to feel good unless that drug is active in your body.

When you're addicted, getting a reliable supply of the drug becomes all that matters. Numerous people harm relationships, suffer health problems, give up jobs, and take great risks becasue of drug addiction. Your addiction controls you and every part of your life, and you are unable to quit without professional assistance.

What Are Signs Of Drug Addiction?

It may appear a drug use disorder would be obvious. But, these disorders can look different among individuals, and those you care about will often try to conceal their drug use from family members. If you have doubts if you or a relative have a drug use disorder, reflect on these indicators:

Experiencing an overwhelming urge to take the drug

Failed tries to cut back on or quit using the drug

Spending lots of time and energy acquiring the drug, taking it, or dealing with its effects

Using a prescribed drug for longer timeframes or in larger amounts than prescribed

Having difficulty fulfilling obligations due to drug use

Abandoning once-liked pastimes to consume drugs

Continual use of the drug even when it harms relationships

Persistent use of the drug even though it adversely impacts your physical and mental health

Needing more of the drug to feel its effects

Going through withdrawal when attempting to quit

Putting yourself at risk to obtain or take the drug

Drug use disorders may look different among individuals. If you or someone close to you are exhibiting any indications of drug addiction near Duluth, consult with a local doctor or addiction treatment specialist.

Where To Find Drug Addiction Treatment In Duluth

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-tier process. Most people will slip up and have to return to certain steps multiple times. While there may not be a “cure” for drug use disorder, many patients find recovery and apply what they explore during treatment to build a healthy, substance-free life. The answer is locating specialized, proven treatment that aligns with your needs.

Every person’s recovery journey will be uniquely their own. However, treatment usually includes the these steps at licensed treatment facilities:

Drug detox is the process of letting your body clear itself of substances. Your body will do this automatically as long as you abstain from taking more drugs. However, if you have a drug dependence, you will encounter withdrawal without substances. To properly complete detox, you should enter an inpatient detox treatment center that offers round-the-clock medical supervision and keeps you as comfortable as possible.

Drug rehab programs also give you inpatient care. During rehab, you’ll still live at a treatment center and enjoy access to clinical support for any persistent withdrawal symptoms. You participate in different sorts of psychotherapy daily with the goal of understanding your addiction, cultivating new healthy habits, and treating any co-occurring mental disorders. You should stay in rehab until you become mentally and physically strong enough to depart that substance-free environment.

Once you depart rehab, you should still receive expert addiction treatment. Outpatient addiction and mental health care will help you navigate your life without drugs. These programs offer continuing counseling sessions and medication management. At first, you may participate in outpatient care every day and return home in the evenings. Eventually, you won’t need as much support and may only participate in therapy once a week or less.

Everyone deserves skilled, supportive addiction treatment. Regardless of how severe your addiction is, there is hope. Getting appropriate treatment at a qualified treatment facility is critical for your future. You don’t have to battle addiction alone. You will find many options for drug addiction treatment near Duluth.

How Can Families Help A Loved One Grappling With Drug Addiction Near Duluth?

Those with a drug use disorder need all the assistance they can get. Family and friends can be essential to addiction recovery. If you are close to someone with a drug use disorder, here are many ways you can assist them:

Help them enter a treatment program

Help them cover the cost of treatment

Attend family counseling with them

Take part in aftercare planning

Provide a safe, drug-free setting to live

Don’t pass judgment

Set limits around their drug use

Offer transportation to outpatient treatment appointments

Request Help For Drug Use Disorders Near Duluth Today

Nobody should confront drug use disorders on their own. If you or a loved one are battling with drug addiction, there is hope. Turn to Evolve Recovery Center Duluth at 470-348-5426 or submit the contact form on this page. A member of our team will respond immediately to discuss treatment. All calls are free and private. We answer at all hours, 365 days a year. Find help today. We are standing by for you.