Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Kenmore
Drug addiction does not only include heroin, cocaine, and other illegal substances. Dependency can be caused by alcohol, nicotine, sleep, anti-anxiety and other legal substances.
Opioid addiction can be a real problem if you are using prescription opioid painkillers or illegally obtained. This problem has become a national epidemic in the United States. Opioids were responsible for the majority of drug-overdose deaths in 2018.
It is possible to initially choose to take a medication simply because you like how it makes your body feel. It is possible to believe that you can control the dosage and frequency of medication. However, medications can alter the brain's functions over time. These changes can be permanent. These bodily changes can cause you to lose control, which can lead to destructive behavior.
Chronic addiction is defined as persistent drug use and obsessive drug seeking. While most people use drugs freely at first, continued use can cause brain changes and make it difficult for addicts to keep their mind in check. This can also affect their ability to resist the urge to continue using drugs. Relapse is often a result of drug addiction. People who have been treated for substance abuse disorders for years are more likely to relapse. These brain modifications may last for a long time.
While relapses may be common, this does not mean that treatment is ineffective. As with other chronic illnesses, therapy should be continuous and constantly modified to meet the patient's needs. The treatment plan must be constantly evaluated and altered to accommodate patient's changing needs.