Overview

We have been working at Valiant Detox and Assessment Center, where we have been assisting people to quit the addiction of alcohol and other drugs. On our experience, alcoholism and drug addiction treatment is effective, especially when it receives appropriate treatment. When you or your loved one happen to be in this scenario it is important that you first know what is going on so that you can make a lasting change.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a long-lasting cognitive condition resulting in uncontrollable substance intake despite negative effects. Drugs and alcohol addiction alter the brain functioning, making the user have a strong desire to use the substance and it may be hard to quit on own.

Major point: Addiction is neither a weak character trait but a medical condition that should be treated by specialists.

What is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is a long-term brain disorder, in which sufferers have no control over using drugs even though the use has adverse effects. It is not a weakness but a health condition that needs treatment and care by a professional.

Drug vs. Alcohol Addiction

• Drugs Involved: Alcohol addiction is addiction to the alcohol, and drug addiction refers to the prescription, illicit or a combination of drugs.
• Progression: The alcohol dependence tends to develop with time, whereas drug addiction may accelerate with reference to the drug.
• Brain Effect: The two alter brain chemistry, resulting in cravings, compulsion and loss of control.
• Social Acceptance: Alcohol is accepted in the society, but most of the addictive drugs are prohibited or controlled.
• Consequences: They both are damaging to health, relationships, and everyday life.
• Treatment: Both of them need specialized, professional treatment programs to recover successfully in the long term.

Is Addiction a Disease?

Yes. Major medical health organizations have found that addiction is a relapsing brain illness caused by drugs and alcohol.

• It is chronic in the sense that it persists during time.
• It is relapsing in the sense that, his conditions may come back without treatment.
• It is a brain disease since substance use alters the brain structure and the functioning of the brain.

This kind of knowledge helps to remove the stigma and the need of medical and therapeutic treatment.

What are the Signs of Addiction?

Early diagnosis of the symptoms increases the hope of recovery. Drug and alcohol addiction are widespread signs; they include:

• Physical: Loss/gain of weight, dishevelled personal appearance, glazed or red eyes, frequent episodes of sickness.
• Behavioral symptoms: mood variations, loss of confidentiality and duty avoidance.
• Social: The patient is unable to interact with his friends and relatives, and he does not want to do anything.

If you notice several of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, it’s time to consult a drug and alcohol addiction counselor.

Causes and Risk Factors for Addiction

There is no common cause of alcohol and drug addiction. It usually presents itself as a blend of biological, psychological, environmental and social factors.

• Genetics and changes in the brain chemicals are some of the biological causes.
• Some psychological factors include trauma, stress and mental illnesses.
• Such environmental sources might be peer pressure and access to substances.
• Family conflict and isolation would be the social causes.

Any person is capable of becoming addicted, although these aspects may put one at risk.

Types of Addiction

The term addiction drug and alcohol covers a wide range of substance problems:

• Alcohol Addiction ( Alcoholism) : Uninterrupted heavy drinking that causes dependence.
• Addiction to prescription drugs: the abuse of opioids or sedatives or stimulants.
• Illicit Drug Addiction: Abuse of prohibited substances like cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine.
• Polysubstance Addiction: The use of more substances addictively than one (at the same time).

Each type requires a personalized treatment plan at a qualified alcohol and drug addiction centre.

Helping a Loved One with an Addiction

In the case of a loved one and a person that you care about struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, you can help by:

1. Reading about addiction and treatment.
2. Advocating professional support instead of trying to cope with it individually.
3. Not doing enabling behaviours that make it comfortable to continue to use
4. You don’t have to be pushy and demanding, but rather supportive, since the process of recovery can be long-term.

When to Seek Help

Immediately, you need to seek professional help in case:

• There is withdrawal.
• The problem is a work, school, or relationship problem on the basis of substance use.
  Drug abuse results in legal or economic problems.

Our drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs are safe, medically controlled and individualised at Valiant Detox and Assessment Center.

Conclusion

Addiction to drugs and alcohol is a severe illness but can be treated. Through appropriate support and professional assistance of an addiction counselor, one can recover in the long term. But never put off; the moment is now the most opportune.

FAQs

1. What are the 5 stages of drug and alcohol abuse?

The phases are: experimentation, regular use, risky, or harmful use, dependence, and addiction, whereby there is no control over the use and life is focused on the substance use, social and professional.

2. What are the 4 C’s of drug addiction?

They encompass the desire to use, the necessity to use, the inability to control the use, and the use of drugs or alcohol despite the damage, which are the characteristics included in the cycle of drug or alcohol addiction development.

3. What are the three C’s of drug addiction?

Three Cs are loss of control, compulsive use and continued use regardless of the harm that symbolize the devastated cycle of addiction that needs to be treated by professionals and medical means.

4. What do you understand by drug and alcohol abuse?

It is the destructive consumption of drugs or alcohol resulting in health issues, broken relationships, and lack of ability to perform in everyday life. Abuse in most cases leads to dependence and addiction without treatment.

5. How to identify a drug-addicted person?

Symptoms involve corporeal alterations such as loss of weight, unhygienic look, reddened eyes, behavioral modifications such as secrecy or mood alternations and inability to engage in regular activities and socialization.