Drug Dependency and Behavioral Addiction

Drug dependency has become a common term in the 21st century. What exactly is drug dependency. In simple words, drug dependency is when you require one or more drugs to function. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has drawn a visible line between what is abuse and what is dependence.

To be more explicit about the difference, the abuse was considered to be the mild factor seen in the early phase of drug use, which led to the more severe stage, which was dependency. The latter was a significant problem. Later, the abuse and dependence of the term were replaced with the newer term, “substance use disorder.” They can be found in the 2013 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). To deal with the disorder they can seek help in the form of outpatient treatment or hospital inpatient

The Conversion Of Drug Abuse To Drug Dependence

It was estimated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse that around 22.7 million Americans need help in treating alcohol or drug problem. Sometimes, people may take prescribed medication for pain or other medical condition. In rare cases, this medication can lead to substance use disorder

Some of the known triggers for the occurrence of substance use disorder are :

⦁ The person has a history of other mental health conditions
⦁ The person has a history of Depression
⦁ Has a history of anxiety
⦁ The person has a family history of addiction
⦁ Or, living in an environment where illegal drugs are often used, have an easy access

The Symptoms Of Drug Dependency

It is easy to determine when drug abuse has turned into a dependency through a behavior change. A person who frequently consumes drugs and hasn’t taken them in a long period of time experiences a physical reaction. The physical symptoms of withdrawal occur when the body becomes stressed by the absence of the drug. These symptoms can include :

⦁ Body Aches
⦁ Sweating
⦁ Vomiting
⦁ Nausea
⦁ Anxiety
⦁ Depression
⦁ Muscle weakness
⦁ Nightmares

Drugs Most Likely To Cause Addiction

When the abuse is converted to dependency, the treatment for the dependency becomes more complicated. The withdrawal from the drug leads to physical symptoms. In the cases of alcohol addiction, they can visit the best alcohol rehab centers to treat the addiction. At this point, the person requires help and can enroll in addiction treatment programs. This includes both the inpatient and outpatient rehab centers. They can locate the nearest addiction treatment centers to seek help.

In some situations, extreme cases of intoxication, overdose, or withdrawal may require emergency care before the addiction treatment. Substances that can mimic the effects of illegal drugs can help to reduce withdrawal during the treatment. The detox programs use a combination of therapy and medical treatment to ease the dependence on the drug and treat the disorder.

Long-term Plan For People With Drug Dependency

If drug dependency is left untreated, dependence on illicit drugs can be dangerous. The increase in the amount of drug consumption can lead to overdose or even death

The treatment can cure the problem, but in some cases, relapses are common. Therapy, support, and consistency can help in curing the issue of drug dependency. The people can consult with detox doctors .

Behavioral Addiction

Behavioral addiction, for example, internet addiction, is similar to drug addiction, except that in the former, the individual is not dependent on any substance. Still, the feeling or the behavior brought about by the relevant action. The physical signs of drug addiction are absent in behavioral addiction. The others have said that the behaviorally addicted individuals have the signs of specific symptoms and will undergo the same consequences that are brought by the respective addiction to the drug.

The concept of addiction cannot be defined in just simple words. The term has been defined in various prospects. However, the central meaning is the dependence on a substance or an activity

Similar to substance abuse prevention, programs are designed to target addicted individuals, and specialized training is provided to educate people about the warning signs of behavioral addiction in order to assist in early detection. To prevent behavioral addictions, it is vital for people to pay attention to the patient and keep observation so that the addictive behavior can be reduced and the problem of dependency can be cured.

Conclusion

Drug Dependency is a severe problem and it cannot be eliminated in a single day. The patient should be given the appropriate treatment and support. The most important element is care and support . The factors that lead to this problem are enormous, but at the same time, it is important to prioritize the mental health of the person. The best way to deal is to seek help and support from rehab centers and to progressively treat the addiction .

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