Drug Addiction
Drug Addiction Treatment
Drug addiction can take many forms, and one thing is always true: it is not a moral failure. This chronic brain disease requires immediate and professional treatment. Our drug treatment programs help our patients stop compulsive drug use. A variety of comprehensive, evidence-care options are available.
Types of Drug Addiction
Both prescription and illicit drugs carry the risk of addiction. Substances associated with addiction are opioid medications, benzodiazepines, sleep medications, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy and a variety of prescription drugs. Addictive substances often fall into three major categories: depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens.
Addiction to Depressants
Depressants, also called downers, reduce brain stimulation and depress nervous system activity. They include benzodiazepines, sleep medications, and other sedatives. Signs of depressant use include dilated pupils, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, weight gain, and depression. Without help, addicts using depressants often experience complications such as severe respiratory depression, decreased heart rate, dangerous decreases in blood pressure, and an increased risk of fatal overdose. Long-term use can also lead to physical dependence and withdrawal upon cessation, which can be life-threatening without medical supervision.
Stimulant Addiction
Stimulants are a class of psychoactive drugs that elevate mood and enhance alertness. They include cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, and ecstasy. People consume these “uppers” in a variety of forms: swallowed as pills, snorted as a powder, injected with a needle as a liquid, or heated and smoked as crystals.
Signs of stimulant use include euphoria, talkativeness, erratic behavior, insomnia, loss of appetite, mania, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, or violent behavior. Without help, addicts using stimulants often experience complications such as extreme weight loss, dental problems (“meth mouth”), skin sores, and increased risk of heart attacks or strokes. Chronic use can lead to severe mental health issues like psychosis, including hallucinations and paranoia, as well as long-term cognitive decline. Social consequences may include relationship breakdowns, financial instability, and legal problems. Additionally, withdrawal from stimulants can be profoundly difficult, with depression, fatigue, and intense cravings.
Addiction to Marijuana, LSD (psychoactive substances)
Marijuana and certain psychoactive drugs act on the brain to produce changes in mood, perception, and behavior. Commonly known psychoactive substances include marijuana, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and synthetic cannabinoids. These substances can be smoked, ingested via edibles, or, in the case of some synthetics and hallucinogens, taken as tablets or blotter paper. They are often sought for their ability to induce profound changes in sensory experiences and emotional states. Regular use, however, can lead to a range of short- and long-term cognitive and psychological effects, and their legal status varies by location and substance.
Signs of marijuana and other psychoactive substance use may include altered senses, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving, and an altered sense of time. Users might experience temporary hallucinations, paranoia, and for some, long-lasting mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Without help, individuals using these substances may face issues like respiratory problems from smoking, a decrease in motivation or cognitive ability, and potential difficulties in academic or occupational settings. Marijuana use has also been linked to social and relationship problems, financial issues, and a potential for the development of substance use disorder.
Signs of Substance Use Disorder
Certain patterns of behavior are common to those who are unable to stop substance use on their own and need treatment:
- Continuing to use drugs, even when there are negative health or social consequences.
- Prioritizing substance use above all else
- Spending increasing amounts of time obtaining, using, and recovering from substance use
- Stealing or lying to get more drugs
- Worsening performance at school or work
- Trying to quit and being unable to
- Isolation from friends and family
- Losing interest in once-loved activities and hobbies
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for the drug
- Personality or behavioral changes (becoming erratic, sedated, or irritable).
- Needing more of the drug to feel the same effects
Drug Addiction Treatment
Those who are struggling with substance use disorders require treatment for both the physical and mental components of addiction. Detoxification rids the body of all traces of the problematic substance, while residential or outpatient treatment provides an in-depth understanding of what spurred one’s drug use, as well as coping strategies and tactics to avoid future use.
Treatment for drug addiction at Pine Grove includes:
- Comprehensive assessment
- Detoxification
- Evidence Based Therapies
- 12 Step meetings
- Life skills training
- Family support
- Relapse prevention
- Step-down programs to transition back to daily life
- Ongoing supportive care
From Substance Abuse To Daily Living
Understand that substance abuse is a health condition demanding specialized care, not a reflection of character. Reach out to Pine Grove today for professional, compassionate treatment that acknowledges your journey and helps you towards regaining your life.
