Overcoming Drug Addiction

Are you struggling with a drug problem that's spiraled out of control? If so, you may feel isolated, helpless, or ashamed. Youre not alone. Addiction is a problem that many people face.

The good news is that you can get better!

There is hope, no matter how bad the substance abuse problem and no matter how powerless you feel. Learning about the nature of addiction, how it develops, what it looks like, and why it has such a powerful hold will give you a better understanding of the problem and how to deal with it.

Understanding Drug Addiction

Addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use. People who are addicted feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable need for drugs or alcohol, even in the face of negative consequences. This self-destructive behavior can be hard to understand.

One answer to understanding addiction lies in the brain

Repeated drug use alters the brain causing long term changes to the way it looks and functions. These brain changes interfere with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment, control your behavior, and feel normal without drugs. These changes are also responsible, in large part, for the drug cravings and compulsion to use that make addiction so powerful.

How Addiction Develops

The path to drug addiction starts with experimentation. You may have tried drugs out of curiosity, because friends were doing it, or in an effort to erase another problem. At first, the substance seems to solve the problem or make life better, so you use the drug more and more.

As the addiction progresses, getting and using the drug becomes more and more important and your ability to stop using is compromised. What begins as a voluntary choice turns into a physical and psychological need.

The GOOD NEWS is that drug addiction is treatable. With treatment and support, you can counteract the disruptive effects of addiction and regain control of your life.

Call our Drug Addiction and Alcohol Addiction helpline at: 1-702-228-8520 or 1-800-771-8599 for Immediate assistance.

Signs and Symptoms

Although different drugs have different physical effects, the symptoms of addiction are the same no matter the substance. The more drugs begin to affect and control your life, the more likely it is that you've crossed the line from drug use to abuse and drug addiction. Unfortunately, when you're in the middle of it, you may be in denial about the magnitude of the problem or the negative impact it's had on your life. See if you recognize yourself in the following signs and symptoms of substance abuse and addiction. If so, consider talking to someone about your drug use. You're on a dangerous road, and the sooner you get help, the better.

• Your neglecting your responsibilities at school, work, or home (e.g. flunking classes, skipping work, neglecting your children) because of your drug use.
• Your using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high, such as driving while on drugs, using dirty needles, or having unprotected sex.
• Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or stealing to support a drug habit.
• Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships, such as fights with your partner or family members, an unhappy boss, or the loss of old friends.
• You've built up a drug tolerance. You need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects you used to with smaller amounts.
• You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If you go too long without drugs, you experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety. You've lost control over your drug use.
• You often do drugs or use more than you planned, even though you told yourself you wouldn't.
• You may want to stop using, but you feel powerless.
• Your life revolves around drug use.
• You spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them, and recovering from the drugs effects.
• You've abandoned activities you used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of your drug use.
• You continue to use drugs, despite knowing its hurting you.
• Its causing major problems in your life; blackouts, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoia but you use anyway.

 For more information on Substance Abuse please visit our Drug Guide Page

 Also feel free to take our free Online Assessment to help determine if you have a possible problem with Substance Abuse.

Addiction and Denial

One of the most dangerous effects of drug abuse and addiction is denial. The urge to use is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize the addiction. You may drastically underestimate the quantity of drugs you're taking, how much it impacts your life, and the level of control you have over your drug use.

Denial is an unconscious defense mechanism

Minimizing and rationalizing the addiction is less scary than admitting that your drug use is dangerously out of control. But the cost of denial can be extremely high, including the loss of important relationships, your job, financial security, and your physical and mental health.

Getting Help

Let Solutions Recovery Help You With Your Drug Addiction Our trained and caring counselors and therapists have a variety of treatment modalities available to help you. Individual, family, and group therapy may be helpful in conjunction with medications, coping and management techniques, and other methods.