Addiction. That’s a heavy word, isn’t it? It is not something we throw around easily. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects your body and also changes your brain. It alters your behavior in ways that you might not notice.
When drug abuse turns into addiction, it usually brings serious challenges. It can feel like a tough battle that seems impossible to win. How do you determine if it’s becoming a problem for you or your loved one?
Addiction, also known as substance use disorder (SUD), has a very high death rate. It poses serious risks that we should be concerned about. Therefore, understanding the real causes of addiction is crucial.
If you happen to be one of the sufferers, remember that you are not alone. Many others are going through the same pain. Learning about it could be the first step to getting the help and support you need.
Addiction is a long-term condition. It is marked by a strong desire to use certain substances or engage in specific activities.
People with addiction often ignore the harmful effects of their behavior. It is a sickness that affects both physical and mental health. Addiction, whether from drugs, alcohol, or gambling, affects the brain’s reward system. It creates a strong urge to seek the same “haunting feeling” from these activities.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 48.5 million Americans have substance use disorder. This number represents 16.7% of people over the age of twelve. Addiction is a growing problem. When someone becomes addicted to a substance or activity, they do not face its effects alone.
It touches family and friends and even the community at large. It often brings strong feelings of shame and confusion. This affects both the person feeling it and their loved ones.
Recognizing addiction early is crucial. Sometimes, the signs are obvious; other times, they can be subtle, creeping up over time.
If you want to know if addiction is a problem, look for signs. These signs can be physical, behavioral, or psychological.
This is important for you or someone else. Here’s what to watch for:
Addiction really takes a toll on the body. If someone is dealing with a particular addiction, the obvious physical signs might be hard to miss, like:
Another major red flag would be poor hygiene and a general lack of care towards oneself. These could be indicative that something is wrong.
If you’re struggling with alcohol abuse or dependence, you might find that you don’t get the deep, restful sleep you need. Instead, you will get less slow-wave sleep that your body needs. You will have more rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is not as helpful for rest.
Behavior changes are very noticeable in someone dealing with substance use disorders (SUDs). They may not act like their usual self anymore. You may notice them acting in ways that seem strange or not like their usual self.
You may begin to observe the shift in how someone communicates, responds, or handles circumstances. Such alterations in behavior can frequently serve as significant warning signs.
Addiction includes changes in the body and mind. Some symptoms are not as easy to see as you might think.
At times, these indications are more subtle. You might observe a shift in character—maybe they’re irritable or upset without a clear cause, or they seem to “zone out.” Other times, they might become afraid or overly suspicious without cause, seemingly perceiving things that do not exist.
These psychological shifts may be complex to notice immediately, but if you observe closely, they are undoubtedly present. They are equally important as the physical and behavioral indicators.
Addiction looks different for every person. It takes many forms, some very physical, others more mental. The most well-known are the addictions to substances, though behavioral addictions can be just as formidable. Let’s take a look at two of the most prevalent forms:
Drug addiction is also called substance use disorder. It happens when the body relies on a specific drug or substance. Ultimately, it would result in intense longing and an overwhelming urge to persist in using that substance.
It goes beyond just the body. A change happens in the brain. This change makes it harder for a person to quit on their own. They may know their addiction is harmful, but they still need help from professionals.
This happens because trying to quit can cause strong withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms occur when the body lacks the substance. This can make someone want to use it again to feel better.
Some of the most common types of substance addiction include:
Addictions can take many forms. They include drugs like cocaine, heroin, and meth. They also include prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines, OxyContin, and Vicodin.
Whether off the street or from a medication that was once prescribed, the effect is there and real. These substances may hijack and begin to affect almost every aspect of your life.
No matter if it’s beer, wine, or liquor, many people think of alcohol addiction as someone drinking too much and too often. At times, you may not fully understand the quantity of what you’re drinking.
What started as lighthearted slowly transformed into significantly more serious matters as time passed. As a result, it started to take over your thoughts. It changed how you lived your life, often without you knowing.
The majority of individuals immediately associate the word “addiction” with the consumption of substances. In truth, certain behaviors can also be addictive. Experts in addiction medicine and mental health, along with doctors and researchers, are debating whether these addictions are real.
Yet, the present edition of the DSM-5 does include two behavioral addictions. A reminder that addiction involves not just what one takes in but also what one engages in.
Not everyone is in consensus about which behaviors could be considered addictive. For some people, it’s easy to see that shopping, sex, or even exercise can get out of control.
Nevertheless, regarding matters such as being dependent on Facebook, the situation remains ambiguous. The American Psychiatric Association decided against including certain behaviors in the DSM-5, citing insufficient solid evidence to create definitive guidelines for their diagnosis. It is a complex issue, and views continue to be split.
Nonetheless, if an individual is facing a behavioral addiction, the indicators may appear as follows:
A few of the most prevalent behavioral addictions for which you may need to seek professional help are:
Addiction is a challenging struggle, regardless of whether it involves substances, actions, or behaviors. However, grasping what is happening is the initial step towards getting the help that’s needed.
Addiction isn’t something that just happens in a bubble. It’s largely a mix of different elements. People can have different causes and risk factors, but there are a few common ones that often come into play:
Drug addiction runs in the family, and most of them are genetic. You are at higher risk if a close family member, like a parent or sibling, has issues with alcohol or drug addiction. Sometimes, it is something deeper inside that might be carried through genes.
People who grew up under poor conditions or multiple abuses have a high chance of developing an addiction. Other strong influences include peer pressure, a chaotic home life, or having parents with drug use. Even the presence of drugs in the house or within your community can impact with great strength when and if one starts consuming.
Not all personal choices come from individual decisions. Outside factors can also shape these choices in strong ways.
Major depression, ADHD, and PTSD are some of the conditions that can make one more vulnerable to addiction to drugs. Some people try to escape the pain of feelings like anxiety, anger, or sadness by using drugs.
In time, however, the very emotions that these substances promise to numb may be exacerbated. And thus, the person becomes caught in a vicious cycle that is hard to break. In fact, substances make things worse over time.
We know that cost is a major factor for most people when seeking treatment for drug & alcohol abuse in Virginia. Novara Recovery Center works with most major insurance plans to help cover up to 100% of the costs associated with treatment at our program. To find out your personal options for treatment, get a free verification of insurance benefits right now by clicking the button below.
Addiction is not an easy condition to grapple with. However, the positive aspect is that it can be treated. If you want to know how to beat addiction, there are several methods that can help you recover. Here is a detailed look at several of the most successful therapies:
Among all the methods for addressing addiction, behavioral therapy could be the most powerful. The kind of therapy a person pursues ought to correspond with their individual health and mental requirements.
There are many effective treatment plans for substance use disorders. These treatments also help with related health problems, like anxiety and depression. Usually, treatments involve working with a qualified mental health professional. This could be a psychologist, counselor, or someone skilled in addiction.
This means looking into your past. This helps you see how it affects your current thoughts and actions.
It looks at why you use substances. It finds the reasons behind your use and helps you find healthier ways to meet your emotional needs. By understanding those hidden feelings, you can build the strength to resist cravings and make choices that help you stay sober.
Biofeedback helps you control your body’s automatic processes. This is especially useful when you are recovering.
It includes placing sensors on the body, which monitor your heart rate, breathing, and activity in your brain. After this is recorded, your therapist explains what it means. They also teach you ways to cope with these responses in a healthy way.
CBT helps you find those detrimental thoughts or feelings that trigger negative behaviors. These are the detrimental behaviors that jeopardize sobriety and may, in many instances, lead to relapse. CBT is great for handling co-occurring issues, such as depression and anxiety, which may also drive your addiction. With CBT, you will learn new ways of thinking that will make your actions change accordingly.
Experiential therapy is a more engaging form of therapy. It helps you express your feelings in ways that support your healing.
Doing activities like rock climbing or animal-assisted therapies, such as equine therapy, helps you confront past challenges. Its goal is to help you use these experiences. This will help you manage your emotions and find inner strengths you may not have seen before.
DBT is a special kind of CBT. It helps you learn to cope with strong emotions that can feel overwhelming and hard to manage.
It teaches you positive ways to manage your feelings. It focuses on skills that build self-esteem and help you handle life’s stress. As you move forward, you will find ways to reduce negative triggers in your life. You will also learn to motivate yourself for growth while maintaining emotional balance.
Holistic therapy seeks to harmonize your entire self—body, mind, and spirit. Various addiction treatment programs tend to include this therapy as it addresses every aspect of health. You can explore options such as yoga, acupuncture, art therapy, or meditation. Collaborating effectively, these methods foster harmony and balance in your life, allowing you to utilize energy efficiently during recovery.
Each of these therapy options offers a different resource that can help you overcome your addiction. No matter where you are in this process, the right mix of therapies can help you recover. These therapies will also help you regain control of your life.
Many FDA-approved medications can help reduce your drug cravings. They can also ease some uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms during recovery. For instance, drugs like buprenorphine and methadone function at specific doses to trigger opioid withdrawal without causing major effects. These medications will lessen withdrawal symptoms and improve your mood instead of solely stimulating the opioid receptors.
Disulfiram is another option, especially for those struggling with alcohol dependence. Consuming alcohol causes an unpleasant reaction that can help break the cycle of addiction.
When you have two addictions and other mental health issues, like depression, medications can help. Antidepressants can make a big difference in your recovery.
Recovery can be a journey you share with others. Support groups play a vital role in helping a lot of people get back on track. Self-help groups provide safe places to share your experiences. You can get support from others and help each other stay on track.
Here are a few examples of support groups that might help you on your recovery journey:
All these groups do things in their own fashion, but they all come together to help you through this recovery process. You are not alone in this.
If someone you value has a problem with addiction, it’s sometimes hard to know what to do. You may sometimes feel bewildered or even helpless. But remember: your support is more important than you might think. Here’s how you can help:
If you want to give them good advice and gain their trust, keep the conversation friendly. Your background should be credible, and your words should matter to them. It is important to understand addiction well. This knowledge helps us speak with compassion and authority.
Take time to educate yourself on it, as it’s not simply a poor habit or lack of willpower. Using substances or being addicted to certain behaviors is more complicated than it seems at first.
Addiction can come from alcohol, drugs, or certain behaviors. This problem connects to our brain and emotions. It often starts from childhood experiences, mental health issues, genetics, and our environment.
It’s not just about willpower. So, if you are trying to help someone, just remember that they are not merely choosing to stay in this situation. It’s much more complex, and knowing this will be key in offering the right kind of support.
Helping someone who has an addiction requires being there for them, yet not an enabler of their behaviors. You can give emotional support by listening to them. Avoid judging and show empathy for their struggles. It is also important to set clear and healthy boundaries.
Tell them you care about them. However, do not accept self-destructive behavior. This includes manipulation and ignoring responsibilities.
Encourage them to seriously consider seeking professional help and stay firm in your support while taking care of yourself. It’s all about balance—helping them to realize their need for change while, in the process, not losing themselves.
Treatment encouragement means providing support to help them seek help. It reassures them that change is possible.
Let them know they are never alone in this struggle. Remind them that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It is worth discussing with a little patience and understanding since they may still need to prepare to make that step.
If you believe they need help finding resources like therapy, rehab, or support groups, you can guide them. If you did your research well, you should know where to direct them. Just let them know you’re there for them, no matter what, and that you really believe they can get better when they’re ready.
At Novara Recovery Center, we know that recovery is a personal journey. Your path is unique to you.
That’s why we provide different options for alcohol, drug, and mental health treatment. These options are designed for your specific needs. We offer many programs, including detox placement and both inpatient and outpatient services. These tools help you recover with the necessary care and knowledge.
Getting back on track is totally doable, and it all begins with just one step. You don’t have to go through this alone—we’re here to help and support you every step of the way. Why not reach out today and start your journey toward a brighter tomorrow?
Written By:
Mental Health Writer
Geoffrey Andaria is a seasoned writer and editor specializing in mental health content. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, he possesses a solid foundation in crafting freelance articles and conducting research. Geoffrey has also completed courses in social work. He dedicates himself to providing valuable and informative content for individuals impacted by mental health challenges and addiction.
Medically Reviewed By:
Expert Contributor
Dr. Williams is currently a board member for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He possesses a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a license to offer addiction counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut. Additionally, he has submitted an application to become a licensed psychologist in New Jersey.
