There are various forms of treatment for substance abuse. This article will discuss the causes of addiction, including physical dependence and compulsion to use a substance, as well as the various non-pharmacological treatment options for addiction. A good intervention will help you understand how to help someone struggling with substance abuse and is a good first step towards various treatments of addiction.
A Compulsion to Use Substances
When it comes to the causes of addiction, people with addiction problems usually have a combination of personal, health, and environmental factors. These factors can include access to substances and social influences. Some people are genetically predisposed to addiction, while others have environmental factors that make them susceptible.
Although these factors do not make the disease a medical condition, they contribute to its development. Those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol often have intense feelings of sadness and anxiety, so it is best to seek professional addiction treatment in Lexington.
The diagnosis of addiction depends on the nature of the problem. Substance use disorders usually develop a tolerance for the substances they use. The reason that these people use substances is to improve their mood or perform better. Others use substances out of curiosity or experiment with alcohol or drugs because they feel it will enhance their performance.
In many cases, the behaviors are rooted in peer pressure. However, as these behaviors progress, they become addictive and may even lead to other physical or mental conditions.
Mental Health Disorders
It’s well known that the mental health disorders that can lead to substance abuse are closely linked. Psychiatrists know that substance abuse is caused by a malfunction in brain mechanisms that affect decision-making, joy, and motivation.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that approximately one in four people in America have some form of severe mental illness. These mental illnesses include major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Addiction is one of the most common manifestations of these disorders, and many of these disorders have strong links to substance abuse.
In general, 29 percent of people with mental health disorders also have substance abuse problems. Unfortunately, if this disorder and substance abuse problems go untreated, they can worsen. You must support your loved ones throughout the recovery process and try not to give up if they start to relapse. Getting help can help you reclaim your life. In the meantime, you can educate yourself on the mental health disorders that lead to substance abuse.
Physical Dependence
Physical dependence is a dangerous condition. Its symptoms are often difficult to recognize and may harm the substance user’s family and loved ones. However, understanding physical dependence symptoms and how to deal with them can help when it comes to treatments of addiction. It can help you help your loved one stop using substances while addressing underlying psychological issues.
Among the symptoms of physical dependence are angry outbursts and sleep deprivation. Anger may arise from frustration or a feeling of helplessness. In some cases, anger may be triggered by an aversion to a specific substance. If this happens frequently, the person may need to seek professional help. Physical dependence manifests as gastrointestinal problems and diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration and other complications.
Non-pharmacological Treatments
Non-pharmacological treatments for addiction are a viable option for those seeking a holistic approach to recovery. Typically, these non-pharmacological therapies are referred to as complementary and alternative medicine. The use of complementary and alternative medicine is a great way to improve treatment and boost recovery in the long term.
Evidence of the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments for addiction is lacking, but the benefits of these treatments are numerous. Specifically, non-pharmacological therapies improve outcomes when combined with pharmacological treatments. For example, counseling and physician-assisted cessation methods lead to a greater likelihood of smoking cessation than merely educating the individual to quit.
Additionally, nicotine replacement therapies increase long-term abstinence by more than twice as effective as traditional nicotine replacement therapy.