But as you continue to take them, using self-control can become harder and harder; this is the biggest sign of addiction. Brain studies of people with addiction show physical changes in parts of the brain that are very important for judgment, making decisions, learning and memory, and controlling behavior.
Scientists have shown that when this happens to the brain, it changes how the brain works and it explains the harmful behaviors of addiction that are so hard to control. Drug addiction is when you cannot stop taking the drug, even if you want to. The urge is too strong to control, even if you know the drug is causing harm. The addiction can become more important than the need to eat or sleep.
The urge to get and use the drug can fill every moment of your life. The addiction replaces all the things you used to enjoy. A person who is addicted might do almost anything—lie, steal, or hurt people—to keep taking the drug. This can lead to problems with your family and friends and can even lead to arrest and jail.
You can get addicted to illegal drugs as well as prescription drugs if you misuse them. It is very likely that someone you know is addicted to a drug—such as pain medications, possibly your mother, father, grandparents, or a young athlete.
They may have been injured in some way and the doctor prescribed pain medications. Before they knew it, they were addicted. Did you know, you can get addicted to pain medications in as little as 3 to 5 days? Medication may be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, or treat any co-occurring mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. Long-term follow-up can help to prevent relapse and maintain sobriety.
This may include attending regular in-person support groups or online meetings to help keep your recovery on track. Residential treatment — Residential treatment involves living at a facility and getting away from work, school, family, friends, and addiction triggers while undergoing intensive treatment. Residential treatment can last from a few days to several months.
These treatment programs usually meet at a treatment center for 7 to 8 hours during the day, then you return home at night.
Outpatient treatment — Not a live-in treatment program, these outpatient programs can be scheduled around work or school. The major focus is relapse prevention. Sober living communities — Living in a sober house normally follows an intensive treatment program such as residential treatment. You live with other recovering addicts in a safe, supportive, and drug-free environment. Remember that no treatment works for everyone. Whether you have a problem with illegal or prescription drugs, addiction treatment should be customized to your unique situation.
Treatment should address more than just your drug abuse. Addiction affects your whole life, including your relationships, career, health, and psychological well-being. Treatment success depends on developing a new way of living and addressing the reasons why you turned to drugs in the first place. Commitment and follow-through are key. Drug addiction treatment is not a quick and easy process. And in all cases, long-term follow-up care is crucial to recovery. There are many places to turn for help.
Not everybody requires medically supervised detox or an extended stint in rehab. The care you need depends on a variety of factors, including your age, drug-use history, medical or psychiatric conditions. In addition to doctors and psychologists, many clergy members, social workers, and counselors offer addiction treatment services. Seek treatment for any mental health problems simultaneously. Your best chance of recovery is by getting combined mental health and addiction treatment from the same treatment provider or team.
Whatever treatment approach you choose, having positive influences and a solid support system is essential. The more people you can turn to for encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, the better your chances for recovery. Lean on close friends and family. Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery.
Build a sober social network. If your previous social life revolved around drugs, you may need to make some new connections. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering , or attending events in your community. Consider moving into a sober living home. Make meetings a priority. Join a step recovery support group, such as Narcotics Anonymous NA , and attend meetings regularly.
You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what others have done to stay sober. Did you start using to numb painful emotions, calm yourself after an argument, unwind after a bad day, or forget about your problems?
Once you have resolved your underlying issues, you will, at times, continue to experience stress, loneliness, frustration, anger, shame, anxiety, and hopelessness. These emotions are all a normal part of life. Finding ways to address these feelings as they arise is an essential component to your treatment and recovery. There are healthier ways to keep your stress level in check. You can learn to manage your problems without falling back on your addiction.
Different quick stress relief strategies work better for some people than others. The key is to find the one that works best for you. A brisk walk around the block can be enough to relieve stress. Yoga and meditation are also excellent ways to bust stress and find balance.
Step outside and savor the warm sun and fresh air. Enjoy a beautiful view or landscape. Experiment with your sense of smell. Breathe in the scent of fresh flowers or coffee beans, or savor a scent that reminds you of a favorite vacation, such as sunscreen or a seashell.
Close your eyes and picture a peaceful place. Pamper yourself. Make yourself a steaming cup of tea, give yourself a neck or shoulder massage. Soak in a hot bath or shower. Your brain still needs time to recover and rebuild connections that changed while you were addicted. During this rebuild, drug cravings can be intense. You can support your continued recovery by avoiding people, places, and situations that trigger your urge to use:. Step away from your friends who use.
Surround yourself with people who support your sobriety, not those who tempt you to slip back into old, destructive habits. Avoid bars and clubs. Ancient tribes made their own mind-altering substances, some of which are still used today. When working with young people, it is important to understand that for many, drug use is a fairly normal part of growing up, and that the reasons why many young people use drugs is not too different from the reasons why adults might enjoy drinking alcohol or engaging in other non-drug activities.
It is important to understand why young people might choose to use alcohol and other drugs and to consider this in the context of youth and youth culture. Life can be difficult for many young people as they work to define their identities and deal with many of the pressures of adolescence.
While adolescence is a period of discovery, fun and achievement, it can sometimes be a confusing time for some young people. Frustration, anger and trauma can result from environmental and individual circumstances. It is therefore, important to consider that AOD use may be due to certain aspects of a young person's situation, and may be used as a mechanism for coping with such pressures.
Adolescence is also a time of happiness, experimentation, celebration and fun and just as adults derive pleasure from using drugs, so can young people. Sharing an intoxicated time with friends can be a bonding experience. It can heighten a sense of group membership and belonging. Risk-taking is also a normal part of development and experimenting with psycho-active drugs is just one of the many risks that some young people will take during this time of great change.
Comparing adults and young people Task Consider the reasons why adults use psycho-active drugs including caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco and why young people use psycho-active drugs. Write down the reasons.
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