What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

No one ever plans on struggling with a drug use disorder, but this challenging disease impacts millions of Americans every year. Drug use disorders transform your mind and body and can devastate your life. Mercifully, there is support for individuals struggling with drug use. Expert drug addiction treatment is accessible in the Palm Beach area and can enable you to take back control of your life. Keep reading to discover more about drug use disorders and addiction and how people and their loved ones can prevail over these conditions with expert support.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

Numerous people use illicit drugs for social reasons or powerful prescription drugs to treat medical conditions. But at what time does drug use become a life-altering disorder?

Typically, drug use develops into a disorder when someone exhibits problematic patterns of use and can no longer control their use. Drug use disorders are mental health conditions that span from mild to severe. These disorders interfere with your life and negatively affect your health.

There are differing aspects of drug use disorders:

• Dependence occurs when your body becomes so used to a drug that it struggles to function in its absence. You will endure distressing withdrawal symptoms if you discontinue use of the drug.


• Addiction is a mental dependence. Dependency-causing drugs alter your brain function so that you constantly crave those substances and feel driven to use them increasingly. You are unable to manage your thoughts and conduct. Addiction is the most serious element of drug use disorders.

All phases of drug use disorder are harmful to your body, mind, relationships, and wellbeing. If you suspect you or a person you love has a drug use disorder, seek competent support for recovery. All individuals have a right to help.

What Drugs Are Dependency-causing?

Habit-forming drugs include strong chemicals that alter your brain. Many are hazardous enough to be illegal. Others are approved prescription drugs but can become unsafe when used improperly or consumed too frequently. Below are several of the frequently encountered addictive drugs in the U.S.:

• Narcotics dull the senses, which enables them to be effective analgesics. But, some also consume them to minimize other unpleasant feelings and can get addicted rapidly. Narcotics are often grouped as opiates or opioids. Opiates are nature-based substances. Opioids are synthetic. Heroin is a widespread illegal narcotic. Legal narcotics like Percocet, OxyContin, Vicodin, morphine, and fentanyl have pharmaceutical uses but are dependency-causing and commonly abused.


• Benzodiazepines are mood-altering drugs often recommended for mental health disorders. However, they can become addictive when not managed appropriately. Their tranquilizing qualities make you feel relaxed. Xanax and Klonopin are well-known benzos.


• Stimulants include medications like Adderall and Ritalin, as well as prohibited drugs like cocaine and meth. They activate your central nervous system, causing you to become alert, animated, and exhilarated. Taking too much of stimulants can be life-threatening.

Every one of these sorts of drugs can lead to a drug use disorder. They all possess the ability to destabilize your life and create life-endangering medical conditions. Get help for yourself or someone close to you at the first indication of dependence.

How Does Drug Addiction Begin?

There are many reasons why people start using addictive drugs. Numerous do so for enjoyment because they relish in the sensations those chemicals create. Some people become dependent on prescriptions they're taking for medical reasons. Many people begin using drugs to self-medicate undiagnosed mental illnesses and find brief relief.

No matter the reason for first using these substances, the route to addiction is generally the same. Your body forms a dependency to the drug, and you feel unwell when you don't use it. You use more just to get by. You may slowly require greater doses for the drug to work. You like how its effect feels. You feel miserable without it and keep taking it. Eventually, those chemicals overtake the reward system of your brain, and you can no longer experience pleasure unless that drug is active in your body.

If you're addicted, finding a reliable supply of the drug becomes all that matters. Many people damage relationships, suffer medical issues, lose jobs, and take great risks due to drug addiction. Your addiction overpowers you and everything in your life, and you are unable to stop without specialized help.

What Are Indications Of Drug Addiction?

It could look like a drug use disorder would be apparent. However, these disorders can look different among individuals, and those you love will frequently try to conceal their drug use from family. If you have doubts if you or a friend have a drug use disorder, review these signs:

• Having an overwhelming urge to consume the drug


• Failed tries to cut back on or stop using the drug


• Allocating lots of energy and time acquiring the drug, ingesting it, or dealing with its effects


• Taking a prescription drug for longer timeframes or in greater amounts than intended


• Unable to fulfill obligations due to drug use


• Abandoning once-liked pursuits to take drugs


• Persistent use of the drug even though it harms relationships


• Continued use of the drug even though it takes a toll on your physical and mental health


• Requiring more of the drug to attain its effects


• Going through withdrawal when attempting to quit


• Engaging in risky behavior to get or use the drug

Drug use disorders can look different among people. If you or someone you love are displaying any signals of drug addiction near Palm Beach, speak with a local doctor or addiction treatment specialist.

Where To Find Drug Addiction Treatment In Palm Beach

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-step process. Many people will slip up and need to repeat steps many times. You won’t be “cured” of drug use disorder, but many people find recovery and implement what they learn during treatment to maintain a healthy, sober life. The solution is getting skilled, proven treatment that aligns with your needs.

Everybody’s recovery journey will be uniquely their own. However, treatment typically consists of the following steps at accredited treatment facilities:

• Drug detox is the process of letting your body cleanse itself of drugs. Your body will do this on its own if you don’t take more drugs. Unfortunately, if you have a dependence, you will experience withdrawal without using. To properly complete detox, you should go to an inpatient detox facility that provides round-the-clock medical guidance and takes steps to keep you comfortable.


• Drug rehab programs also provide inpatient care. In rehab, you’ll still live at a treatment facility and have access to medical care for any persistent withdrawal symptoms. You attend different kinds of psychotherapy every day with the goal of understanding your addiction, developing new beneficial habits, and treating any existing mental disorders. You should remain in rehab until you feel physically and psychologically strong enough to depart that sober environment.


• Once you depart rehab, you should still get specialized addiction care. Outpatient addiction and mental health therapy will help you move forward in life without harmful substances. These programs provide continuing counseling sessions and medication management. To start, you may participate in outpatient support daily and go home each night. Eventually, you won’t require as much therapy and may only go to therapy on a weekly basis or less.

Everyone deserves expert, caring addiction treatment. Regardless of how advanced your addiction is, recovery is possible. Getting the right treatment at a licensed treatment facility is necessary for your success. There’s no need to face addiction on your own. You will find many choices for drug addiction treatment near Palm Beach.

How Can Families Help A Loved One Grappling With Drug Addiction Near Palm Beach?

People with a drug use disorder need all the help they can obtain. Friends and family can play crucial roles in addiction recovery. If you love an individual with a drug use disorder, here are some ways you may support them:

• Help them check into a treatment program


• Help them make payments for treatment


• Participate in family counseling with them


• Play an active role in aftercare planning


• Offer a safe, sober setting to live


• Withhold judgment


• Set limits around their drug use


• Help them get to outpatient treatment appointments

Find Help For Drug Use Disorders Near Palm Beach Today

No one should face drug use disorders on their own. If you or a family member are battling with drug addiction, there is hope. Reach out to Sunrise Detox Palm Beach at 561-621-2517 or submit the contact form on this page. Someone will answer you promptly to explore treatment. All calls are free and private. We respond at all hours, 365 days a year. Find help now. We are here for you.