The Physical and Emotional Affects of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

June 12th, 2011 by

At some point in each person’s life he or she is given a talk about drugs and alcohol and the effects that both can have. Most of us were taught in school health classes that the effects of drugs and alcohol can be emotional as well as physical and can have a big impact on the people who surround us as well as on our individual bodies. While this is certainly true, what most people don’t understand-until they are in the throes of addiction-is just how devastating the physical and emotional affects of drug and alcohol addiction can be.

In drug and alcohol rehab, drug and alcohol addicts will work individually, together and with trained drug and alcohol addiction experts to understand both the physical and emotional demands of overcoming an addiction. The experts in drug rehab programs have helped many clients get sober and they know how to help people cope as they go through withdrawal and face the emotional truths that contributed to their drug and alcohol addictions.

Physical Effects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

As a person falls deeper and deeper into the throes of alcohol addiction and drug addiction, their friends and family will start to notice that the addict is physically changing. Internally your body will be dealing with intense cravings for the addict’s drug of choice (or any drug at all, depending on the addiction). Outwardly, a drug addict can display any (or all) of the following symptoms:

- Bloody noses
- Coughing for no reason
- Lack of coordination or unexplainable drowsiness
- Irregular pupil size
- Eyes moving back and forth rapidly and unable to focus on anything
- Bloodshot or red eyes
- Smokey smell or other drug smells on clothing
- Physical marks on the skin (track marks, rashes, etc)
- Inability to sit still
- Incessant scratching or rubbing
- Infection on the skin
- Drug paraphernalia in pockets or usually within close proximity to the person
- Hair loss
- Excessive carefulness of one’s appearance and behavior when the person usually isn’t quite so meticulous (could be a sign of a cover up)

Emotional Effects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Emotional effects of drug and alcohol addiction aren’t always as obvious as the physical effects can be. The truth is that drug and alcohol addictions are usually closely related to an emotional issue that has existed for quite a while. While it is true that an addiction can be physical-the triggers for that addiction are usually emotional. Here are some of the emotional effects a drug addiction can have, both on the addict and the people in an addict’s life:

- Increased feelings of loneliness and ostracism
- Increased irritability
- Increased fatigue
- Unexplainable anxiety
- Inability to concentrate
- Feelings of abandonment (for both the addict and the people in the addict’s life)
- Stress from strained relationships
- Fear that the addiction is out of control
- Fear of rejection if addiction is discovered
- Fear that even if the addict gets sober, they will no longer be accepted by their social circle
- Anger at people who “don’t get it”

In a drug and alcohol rehab, both the person with the addiction and the people surrounding the addict will go through counseling sessions to help face and deal with the emotional ramifications of alcohol or drug addiction. Experts agree that these sessions are imperative for the addict’s continued sobriety once his or her time in drug rehab has finished and he (or she) has to stay sober in the “regular world.” The experts and therapists can also help an addict cope with the physical addiction to drugs and alcohol and the withdrawal process the addict will deal with after being admitted to the center.

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Effects of Alcohol on Mood Disorders

February 13th, 2011 by

People affected by mood disorders or depression often rely on drugs or alcohol instead of seeking treatment. While they may not know they have a treatable condition, they will use stimulants and other substances to change the way they are feeling. This often causes even more problems when the effects of the alcohol or drugs wear off, prompting bouts of depression.

Alcohol

When people affected by mood disorders, such as manic depression, feel sad or out of control, drinking alcohol is one method of changing the way they feel. This can numb feelings of sadness or make body aches and pains associated with the mental health condition. Once the effects wear off, however, the person is usually left with a hangover. Physical effects include nausea, headache and dehydration, making them feel worse than before. In order to feel better, this may become a habit and then a cycle.

Drugs

Rather than using alcohol, some people experiencing mood swings or bouts of depression may turn to recreational or prescription drugs to help make themselves feel better.

One popular drug of choice is cocaine. When used, this stimulates the brain, giving the user a euphoric feeling. After the effects wear off, however, the user feels more depressed. In order to alleviate the feelings of sadness or boredom, the brain is fed more stimulant, cocaine. The more it is used, the more it is needed to combat the moodiness and feelings occurring when the individual is not under the influence of a stimulant.

This can also happen with certain prescription drugs when the patient is not monitored or obtains the medications from people with a valid prescription with or without their consent. This can spiral into a more serious condition.

Dual Diagnosis

Alcohol or drug dependency coupled with mood or behavioral disorders is referred to as a dual diagnosis. They must be treated simultaneously to help the patient to overcome the feelings and symptoms associated with both. Otherwise, they will likely teeter-totter back and forth between the two problems with neither being controlled or relieved for any length of time.

This problem is often misdiagno0sed as another condition when the patient is dishonest with the health care provider about use of substances. Certain recreational drugs with very strong effects on the user can be misunderstood as symptoms of other mood or behavioral disorders. Schizophrenia, for example, includes hallucinations in its list of symptoms. Unknown use of hallucinogenic drugs, such as certain types of mushrooms, may lead to a wrong diagnosis. The hallucinations would likely cease when the person stops using the drugs.

When the two problems are treated together, the patient will likely improve when the use of conflicting drugs and alcohol stops. Psychotherapy and prescription medication may be given to help the patient. This often includes an in-house treatment program at a mental health facility that specializes in dual diagnosis.

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Addiction Treatment Centers: The Best Approach to Drug Dependence

January 13th, 2011 by

Alcohol and Drug Addiction is a circumstance that needs immediate attention and medication. Addiction Treatment Centers will save the patient from becoming abusive of drugs. Education about what to do when prevailing over the addiction is found on Alcohol Drug. As addiction progresses, the patients’ life is in danger. Addiction Treatment Centers mentioned that when you start to become used to it, the ability to impede is being compromised.

Many Alcohol Drug Rehabs work together to lessen the percentage of addiction in the state and also to save lives. Aside from allocating your loved one to go to Center, family members are also encouraged to show the patients their full support and love while they are undergoing treatment inside the Rehab Center.Once you suffer or perceive the early symptoms of the addiction, ask for an immediate treatment like going to Alcohol. Patients experiencing the addiction are directed to certain medical programs or phase to the Drug Rehab Center. Successful recovery depends on the Drug Rehab Center that you prefer.

Addiction Treatment Centers are imperative if you desire and hope of getting your normal life back. According to Alcohol Drug Rehabs, some of the common symptoms of the addiction are the inability to think clearly and control of one’s behavior. Addiction Treatment Centers deem that early treatment provides fast resurgence. That’s why, once you feel unwanted changes physically, mentally and emotionally it is recommended for you to rush to a rehab center for assistance.Based on Addiction Treatment Centers, addiction starts from experimenting and curiosity. The path develops and becomes worsen as the person turned out to be satisfied about the effects without knowing its damages to human health. Drug Rehab Center executes services that well-matched the needs of the patients.

As Alcohol Drug Rehabs work by providing treatment and support it gradually ends ones dependence to drugs. To save the patients’ health from the lethal effects of drugs and alcohol is the focal objective of the rehabilitation center. Patients undergo series of healing processes that will let them understand what drug addiction is all about. With the help of recovery programs and treatment patients will realize how good it is to live life with freedom from drugs and alcohol,Knowing what center to go to is the best move to resolve problems of addiction. Treatment centers like Drug Help Co gives full assistance by providing sets of programs and useful facilities that will aid in faster recovery of patients.

A center is the best place on how to relearn living life without drugs. Alcohol Drug Rehabs deem that overcoming addiction is possible with apt medication by the rehab center. Don’t let your life be ruined by drugs or alcohol, start the fight by going to Addiction Treatment Centers. Regaining your normal life back is feasible by becoming dedicated in amending and facing the challenges. And rehab centers are always at your back to make this life changing tread come true.

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