Certain symptoms may occur when a person with an addiction quits using the substance or engaging in the behaviour.
For those who have grown physically dependent on a substance, abrupt withdrawal can result in various unpleasant symptoms and, in rare circumstances, death.
When should you see a doctor?
Anyone who uses substances, even socially, should consult a doctor to establish that they are safe to use and monitor for signs or symptoms of addiction.
However, despite the severe effects on their health and wellness, a person suffering from addiction may not be ready or willing to seek expert medical care.
Those close to a person who has overdosed on a substance should seek emergency medical help right once. After recovering from an overdose, a person may desire professional help to overcome their addiction.
When a person is ready and wants help with their addiction, they should speak with a medical expert about treatment alternatives. Rehab, therapy, detox, and medication are some of the choices available.
Treatments
Medical advancements and diagnostic development have aided the medical community in developing numerous methods for managing and resolving addiction.The source you can trust.
Among the methods are:
- medication-assisted therapy
- Counselling and behavioural therapy
- medical devices for withdrawal treatment
- Depression and other related psychological issues are treated.
- Continued treatment to lower the chance of relapse.
Addiction treatment is very customized, and it frequently necessitates the help of a person’s community or family.
Treatment can be time-consuming and difficult. Addiction is a long-term illness that has a variety of psychological and physical consequences. Different management strategies may be required for each substance or habit.
Organizations and hotlines that can be of assistance
Numerous groups can assist someone suffering from addiction. A person might also get help with their addiction by calling a helpline.
The following organizations may be of assistance to someone suffering from addiction:
- To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit dedicated to assisting persons suffering from addiction, self-harm, depression, and suicide.
- Shatterproof is a non-profit organization that provides educational tools and community partnerships.
- Faces & Voices of Recovery:This organization is dedicated to assisting and supporting people who are suffering from addiction and their relatives and friends.
- The Amy Winehouse Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides addiction treatment and music therapy.
The following hotlines can be used to get free help and guidance with addiction:
- Administration for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
- Addiction Treatment Centers in the United States
- Text Line for Emergencies
- National Drug Information Center (NDIC)
- Collaboration to End Addiction
- The National Suicide Prevention
- The National Institute of Mental Health
A mixture of risk factors can cause addiction. Substance or behaviour dependence can sometimes develop without any risk factors at all.
Their family history and the home environment highly influence a person’s substance usage.
Addiction is also influenced by how a person takes a drug and the substance they use. Stress and pre-existing mood disorders may encourage people to experiment with various substances to “raise” their spirits, which can develop into addiction.
People use chemicals to make themselves feel better, relieve sadness, temporarily improve performance, or satisfy their curiosity. However, this may enhance a person’s chances of having a substance abuse problem.