The most recent report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that in San Diego and surrounding areas, the use of substances like heroin and methamphetamine were on the rise 1. However, the report fails to make the important distinction between substance abuse and addiction.
Am I an Addict
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as a chronic medical disease 2. Acknowledging it as such can help us establish a more firm and realistic understanding of what individuals struggling with addiction are experiencing. Addiction is not simply a temporary condition but a disease that requires both medical and therapeutic treatment.
Substance abuse describes an action, as opposed to a physical, mental, or medical condition. Many individuals abuse a substance at least once in their lifetime without developing a dependence or addiction.
Drug or alcohol dependence is more serious than substance abuse but should not be confused with addiction. Drug or alcohol dependence refers specifically to the physical or chemical dependence on a substance. It is typically a symptom of addiction, but does not cover the full spectrum of what addiction is.
Addiction involves an emotional or mental response to substance abuse that makes it very difficult for an individual to stop using that substance. Studies have found that for the addicted individual, the odds of attaining sobriety (and staying sober) increase with factors like attending a rehab program, setting up a transitional care plan, and continuing to attend support groups for the foreseeable future 4.
Do you recognize that your substance use is causing negative emotional or physical consequences? For example, addiction can often lead to increased mental illness or medical conditions. Do you continue to prioritize substance use over improving your personal wellness?
For some individuals, addiction therapy or outpatient programs may prove to be a viable option. We often recommend continuing with these types of programs after completing an in-patient program. As we mentioned earlier, developing a clear aftercare plan and sticking to it can help patients to avoid relapse.
For those suffering from the comorbidity (simultaneous presence) of addiction and mental illness, a dual diagnosis program is often the way to go. In a dual diagnosis program, you can detox safely, begin therapy, and uncover the ways that your addiction and mental illness often feed off of one another. Addressing both ailments can give you a better sense of what you need to live a happy, healthy life.
Drug abuse can create a multitude of negative physical, emotional, behavioral, and social consequences. Not everyone who uses drugs is addicted to them. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) publishes that in 2014 about 7 million of the 27 million people who were considered to be currently abusing illicit drugs suffered from drug addiction that year.
Fortunately, addiction is a treatable disease, and NIDA reports that there are more than 14,000 specialty drug treatment facilities in the United States that offer a variety of amenities and a range of care options to foster and enhance recovery. Understanding addiction and how to recognize problematic patterns of drug abuse are important to recovery. Education is key, and the more you know, the better equipped you can be to make decisions on how to move forward with a healthy life.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the standard diagnostic tool published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and widely used by medical and mental health professionals. The most current DSM, the DSM-5, has 11 criteria for diagnosing drug addiction.
Mood swings, aggression, hostility, and violence, as well as feelings of agitation and irritability are common side effects of addiction. Erratic and unpredictable behaviors, depressed moods, and difficulty feeling pleasure are often the result of changing brain chemistry related to chronic drug use. Social withdrawal, increased secrecy, and relationship issues are additional ramifications of addiction and problematic drug use. Shame, guilt, anger, and denial are common emotions that go hand in hand with drug addiction.
Are you suffering from drug or alcohol addiction? Answer the questions below completely and honestly. Remember, it is never too late to seek help. The quiz below can help determine if you are demonstrating signs of drug or alcohol addiction. While helpful, it is not intended to be a comprehensive diagnosis or to diagnose substance use disorder or other mental health disorders. Based on your answers, you may receive a possible indication of addiction. If so, we are here and ready to help!
The perceived low rate of addiction leads some marijuana advocates to assert the false claim that the drug is not addictive. Any mood-altering chemical carries a risk of addiction, and weed has no exemption.
Because pot has become legalized in states that cover more than half the U.S. population, use is high. With the ease of access, the potential of addiction is also great. But like with alcohol, a majority of people who use marijuana do not become addicted.
The good news is that marijuana addiction can be treated. At AspenRidge Recovery, we offer several levels of care to help you kick the habit. Our customized outpatient programs will fit your situation and provide the flexibility needed to keep work or attend school. Call us now at 855-281-5588 to talk to an admission specialist for a free quick, and easy assessment.
There are effective ways to deal with the addicted person in your life, just as there are ways that are not only ineffective but can also be dangerous. Learning to distinguish between them can save you a lot of time and can also produce much healthier results for you and your addicted loved one.
Another way to keep yourself healthy while caring about an addicted person is to make sure you are looking after your own life and keeping a good balance with such things as work or volunteering, supportive friendships, fitness and good nutrition, and time for the fun activities that you enjoy.
As easy and tempting as it may be for you to blame the addict in your life for your struggles and suffering, there is actually more value in exploring what you may be contributing to this situation, since that is the only thing you can really do anything about.
When you can be as truthful as possible with yourself about your own enabling behaviors, you can begin to make different choices. This will lead to healthier changes in your addicted loved one as well. For example, you might decide to tell the addict in your life that you will no longer listen to them complain about their lives. However, you can let them know that you are very willing to be there for them as soon as they are ready to work on resolving their problems.
The more you allow yourself to be manipulated by the addict, the more manipulative the addict is likely to become. When you hold your ground and refuse to give into their unreasonable demands, they will eventually realize that they are not going to get their way.
When those who love people with any type of addictive behavior finally reach out for help, they have usually been dealing with their situation for a long time. If you have been waiting to see whether things would get better without professional help, please consider getting help NOW, before things become even worse.
Despite the similarities between Caffeine dependency and other drug addictions, some health care officials debate as to whether it can qualify as an actual addiction. The main reason for this is that other addictive substances, such as Amphetamines and Cocaine, stimulate the area of the brain linked to reward and motivation to a higher extent than Caffeine does. Caffeine causes a surge of dopamine within the brain but not a large enough surge to unbalance the reward system in the brain like other drugs. Because of this, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) does not currently identify Caffeine addiction as a Substance Use Disorder (SUD); however, it does recognize Caffeine withdrawal as a clinical condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) became the first medical corporation to formally recognize Caffeine addiction as a clinical disorder in 2012.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not recognize Caffeine addiction as a SUD, but it does recognize it as a condition for future study. According to the DSM-5, problematic Caffeine consumption is characterized by at least three of the following criteria:
Crack is a highly addictive substance. It produces a powerful high that only lasts for a short time, making it easy for an individual to use it frequently. If you suspect a loved one might be struggling with crack cocaine, there are numerous signs to look for, as well as side effects that can develop.
Additionally, crack addiction can lead to loss of appetite. Consequently, many individuals struggling with addiction notice profound weight loss in a short amount of time. This is unhealthy because it usually results in reduced muscle mass and malnutrition. Therefore, sudden and unexplained weight loss could be pointing to a crack addiction.
Those with a crack addiction are always thinking ahead. Even after using, their thoughts will revolve around obtaining the next dose. Not having a source of crack or the money to purchase it can be earth-shattering for those struggling with crack addiction.
Another way to identify a crack addiction is to think about what you prioritize. For most people, career, family, and friends are at the top of the list. However, for a crack addict, using drugs is the only priority. 2ff7e9595c
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