Addiction targets everyone, it does not only affect certain people. Addiction holds no bias towards any one gender, group, race, class, etc. People that struggle with addiction are often oblivious to their self-destructive ways. Addiction has often developed even before the individual is aware of it.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disease that influences how the brain works. Those with addiction experience extreme cravings and will do anything and everything to get their fix. Sometimes, they will even put other important areas of life behind them in order to prioritize their substance abuse habit.
Those with a substance abuse problem have altered perceptions, actions, and functions. The changes in how the brain works contribute to potent substance cravings that make it more difficult to avoid the abuse. The brain changes its functions because of the chemicals from the substance being used.
The National Drug Abuse Center has stated that people are abusing substances for a variety of reasons, including:
- To feel pleasure
- To relieve stress
- To improve performance in school or at work
- Peer pressure
These factors can easily persuade an individual because people are born full of curiosity. And when that curiosity overpowers human logic it becomes deadly.
Signs of addiction
You will not notice signs of addiction in its early stages. It hides well, but there are factors that can be analyzed in order to determine whether a person is likely to develop one or not. Some of the factors include:
- Family History of addiction
- Being attracted to do a particular activity or substance
- Changes in behavior/personality
- Changes in health
By using these criteria, we can properly address whether or not a person has or will develop a problem with substance abuse behaviors.
Changes in personality
It is possible to undergo significant changes in personality and behavior when a person suffers from an addiction. Sometimes people who develop addiction are not aware of the changes, but the people surrounding them will surely see changes and identify them as not normal.
It is said that when people change their personality it affects every section of their life. Activities which were once enjoyed by an individual will no longer entertain him/her, a relationship that was treasured will suddenly lose value. Their responsibility as an employee or student may also become less important to them and become easily neglected.
Changes in Health
Another approach to identifying vulnerability is to pay attention to the mental and physical health of the individual you suspect of addictive behaviors. Almost always, their wellbeing starts to fall off if they are suffering from substance abuse.
Health problems occur when a person starts to abuse a substance; this is because there are chemical compounds in drugs and alcohol that severely harm an individual, physically and mentally. Some of the health concerns include
- Glazed eyes
- Sudden reoccurrence of illnesses
- Weight loss
- Unhealthy skin, teeth, and nails.
- Physical withdrawals like vomiting
- Memory loss
- Problem while speaking (slurred words)
- Mood swings
- Gets easily irritable
- Suicidal thoughts
- Depression
All potential medical causes for someone’s health loss must be removed. Keep in mind that someone with addiction almost always neglects the severity of their current health. So, how can we help these people if they do not even realize they need help? Let us explain.
How to help people with addiction
When dealing with people with addiction problems, it is advisable to not push them too hard. Doing that could possibly cause them to loathe you. You have to know your limits. Here are some ways to help them:
- Understand the nature of drug and alcohol abuse
- Talk to the person. Let them know your concerns about the matter, give them your support when they want to recover from it. It is best to address addiction as early as possible
- Let them feel secured by your love. Embrace them with your care.
- Encourage them to live a sober life
- Support them before, during, and after their recovery treatment. The progress of their rehabilitation is much faster when they are physically, emotionally and mentally prepared.
There are things you shouldn’t do when dealing with people who suffer from addiction. You think you are helping, but you don’t want to push the limits. If you try too hard, you are actually just pushing them away from you. Here are things you should avoid when dealing with people suffering from addiction.
- Don’t tell them what to do, or how to do things.
- Never let your emotions overpower you when talking to them. Don’t beg for them to do things.
- Don’t cover their mistakes and wrongdoings.
- When they commit something bad, don’t take over the responsibility to deal with it.
- Avoid talking to them when they are in the influence of substance to avoid any harm to happen. They are not in their usual state and anything can happen.
- Don’t try to do the things they do.
Treatment for addiction
You don’t need to worry when you or someone you know develops addiction because there are treatments readily available for you to take. Treatments that are tailored based on your needs and preference.
Acknowledging the issue is the first step on the way to recovery. If an individual rejects the issue and lacks an understanding of drug abuse and addiction, rehabilitation can be hampered.
A health care professional may carry out a standardized symptom assessment to see whether or not there is a drug-use problem. Although the problem appears to be severe, most people with a disability may profit from medication. Unfortunately, several individuals who could benefit from treatment do not get support. Medications are used to treat drug cravings to relieve severe withdrawal symptoms. Therapy can help individuals who are reliant on substances to develop better self-esteem, better coping mechanisms, and overall better mindset in recovery.
There is a wide range of options for addiction recovery treatment; rehab centers across America cater to your individual needs. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction is having trouble accepting the fact that they have developed such an issue, seek professional help today.
