According to drugabuse.gov, in 2012, an estimated 23.9 million Americans aged 12 and older had taken an illicit drug or abused psychotherapeutic prescription medication (pain killers, stimulants, tranquilizers) in the last month. That’s 9.2% percent of the population, making illicit drug use more prevalent than marijuana use. A drug addiction can seriously affect a person’s quality of life in a negative way, and it can be nearly impossible for some to recover without professional help.
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Signs of Drug Addiction
If you suspect you or a loved one is dealing with a drug addiction, you should confirm it by knowing the warning signs. Here are some of the most common signs of drug addiction:
A built-up tolerance – More of the drug needs to be used to achieve the same effects obtained from a smaller amount in the past.
Taking drugs to alleviate withdrawal symptoms – Going too long without drugs brings withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, insomnia, and depression.
Loss of control over drug use – A person does more drugs than planned, even when they said they wouldn’t. There may be a desire to stop using, but there’s a feeling of being powerless.
Life revolves around drug use – A lot of time is spent thinking about drugs, thinking about how to get them, and recovering from effects of the drugs.
Loss of interest in past hobbies – Past hobbies such as sports or socializing are no longer interesting.
Continued use of drugs, even while being conscious of their negative effects – Drugs are causing major life problems such as depression, insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness, but one still continues to use.
Drug Addiction Side Effects
Drug addiction side effects will vary based on the type of drug and the dose. Before breaking it down into side effects of certain classes of drugs, check out the the side effects below that are common among many drug addictions:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety and depression
- Poor judgment
- Loss of consciousness or coma
- Immune system damage
- Seizures
Stimulant Side Effects
Stimulant drugs are the ones that cause a person to feel extremely energetic and alert. Examples of stimulants include cocaine, speed, methamphetamine, and ADHD medications. Below are some common side effects of these drugs:
- Hyperstimulation
- Psychosis
- Erratic or violent behavior
- Tremors
- Muscle Cramping
- Hallucinations
- Liver, kidney, and lung damage
Opioid Side Effects
Opioid drugs bind with opioid receptors that are mainly in the brain and spinal cord, which significantly reduces pain sensations. Examples of opioid drugs include heroin and prescription painkillers such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine. Their side effects are listed below:
- Sedation
- Constipation
- Respiratory depression
- Slow or rapid heart beat
- Vertigo-like symptoms
- Bladder spasms
Hallucinogen Side Effects
When taken, hallucinogens cause a person to experience changes in thinking, perception, consciousness, and emotion. Marijuana, mushrooms, and LSD are some of the commonly used hallucinogens. Hallucinogens come with a wide spectrum of side effects:
- Extreme terror
- Inability to distinguish between drug effects and reality
- Panic
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Chills and shivering
Drug Addiction Withdrawal
Drug addiction withdrawal represents the physical and emotional symptoms experienced as a result of discontinued use of a drug that one is dependent on. It is usually caused by a sudden stop of use or a reduction of intake. Like side effects, the withdrawal symptoms of each drug will vary. Before breaking them down into the categories again, take a look at some of the common withdrawal symptoms seen in most drug addictions:
- Abdominal pain
- Anxiety and depression
- Flu-like symptoms
- Tremors
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme sweating
- Seizures
- Respiratory failure
- Death
Stimulant Withdrawal Symptoms
The following are withdrawal symptoms specific to stimulants. (Cocaine, speed, methamphetamine, ADHD meds)
- Inability to feel pleasure
- Inability to concentrate
- Decline in cognitive ability
- Panic attacks
- Irritability
- Impaired social function
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms of opioids (heroin, codeine, oxycodone, etc) are shown below:
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- Hot and cold sweats
- Goose bumps
- Excessive yawning
- Enlarged pupils
- Fast breathing patterns
Hallucinogen Withdrawal Symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms of hallucinogens (marijuana, LSD, mushrooms, etc) tend to be psychological rather than physical.
- Fear of going insane
- Flashbacks
- Aggressive behavior
- Perceptual disturbances
The severity of withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person. It depends on many factors such as doseage before discontinuing use, length of the addiction, and individual tolerance.
Drug Addiction Detox
Drug addiction detox programs will be different for the treatment of each drug addiction. For example, the process of detoxification for someone addicted to prescription pain killers is different than someone addicted to cocaine. For each drug, there are different medications that can be used to alleviate the effects of withdrawal symptoms.
The process of detox also largely depends on the individual’s history. Many times, someone who has a drug addiction is also taking other drugs in combination. Therefore, there’s no pre-determined detox process that works for everyone.
How to Pick the Right Detox Facility
After making the decision to go through the detox process, it’s time to pick the right facility for yourself or your loved one. There are many things to consider when picking the right facility and program, and it helps to visit each detox center to see which one may be the best fit. Some facilities specialize in certain types of drug addictions or even just focus on one specific drug, which may be needed for someone with a severe addiction to one single drug. For example, a methadone clinic treats mostly people with a heroin addiction, although others may be there for similar opioid drug addictions.
When you visit a detox facility, imagine yourself or a loved one being there. Determine how comforting and accommodating each facility is before deciding on one.
Drug Addiction Rehab
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health given by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), 23.5 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment for illicit drug or alcohol abuse. Of those, 2.6 million people, or 11.2% of people, received help from a specialized facility.
Addiction and Denial
Usually, when someone avoids going to rehab, they are convinced that they don’t have a problem. Their life may be a complete mess, but they don’t pin the mess to a drug addiction. Instead, they blame their problems on other external circumstances. Examples include blaming others for always judging, having a job that they hate, or not having a significant other.
Denial often continues until it becomes clear to a person that their drug use is a serious problem. Unfortunately, it often takes an overdose of a drug to really convince someone that they need to get help.
Types of Rehab Programs
There are various options to consider when choosing a recovery program, and not all recovery programs involve staying at a facility. Some programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous, involve participation in daily meetings. Some of the options available are shown below:
Residential Programs – In these programs, a person must live at the treatment facility, where they will partake in group sessions, one-on-one counseling, and other various activities. Longer term extended programs are usually 90 days, and shorter programs last about 30 days.
Outpatient Rehab Programs – In this type of program, a person usually visits a clinic for a few hours per day for a few weeks.
Group Therapy – These sessions meet at established intervals during the week, and they are usually held by accredited facilities, volunteer organizations, churches, and community centers.
Individual Therapy – This type of program requires that one meet with a Board Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, which may be sufficient enough for some patients. It may also be utilized as an aftercare program.
Medical Intervention – This type of treatment may be needed in the early stages when physical withdrawal symptoms become a danger for a person trying to break an addiction.
The choice made will usually depend on the type of drug addiction that a person has. For a long-term addiction to a hard drug, someone will likely benefit most from an inpatient rehab program. People with addictions to painkillers and ADHD meds may be successful with outpatient rehab and group therapy options, but residential programs will still increase the chances of success.
Consider all of the information you’ve just learned to determine the warning signs and effects of each drug. The process of breaking a drug addiction is a huge step in a person’s life, and using all of the information available helps immensely in picking the right course of action for each special individual.
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