Drug addiction is more than a simple overuse of drugs. It’s a complex mental illness and physical dependence on drugs that inhibits normal functioning. Often, drug abuse starts as a way to treat a mental or physical ailments without going to a doctor and getting a diagnosis. In time, you build up a tolerance to your drug of choice, and it takes more and more of it to get the same high or pain relief. Your body becomes dependent on the drug to feel normal, and you get sick without it. It starts to become more important than anything else, and you can’t help but obsess about having it, getting it, and doing it all day, every day. Nobody starts abusing substances thinking it’s going to ruin their lives. Nobody wants to develop a sickness they’ll have for the rest of their lives just from doing a few seemingly harmless drugs, but that’s exactly what happens. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a disease, and we can help you get the appropriate treatment.

What Not to Do If Your Loved One Is Suffering From SUD

Many older Americans grew thinking that addiction is a choice. You choose to take the first hit or shot, but by the time you develop an addiction, it’s no longer a choice. It’s a compulsion that takes rehab and years of psychiatric treatment and therapy to recover from. You have to be careful when dealing with someone in the grips of addiction when they’re in a downward spiral. They aren’t thinking clearly, aren’t making sensible decisions. If you’re dealing with a loved one’s addiction, never invalidate their disease. It can’t be cured, and it can only be treated. They’ll have to live with this for the rest of their lives, and disregarding their suffering is hugely damaging.

How to Identify SUD

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) shows readers how to identify and categorize drug abuse, drug dependence, and SUD. Signs of simple substance abuse include certain behaviors such as the following:

• The hazardous use of drugs
• Social and interpersonal consequences and problems related to use
• Neglecting responsibilities and major roles to use
• Legal consequences for using drugs.

Signs of drug dependence include:

• Withdrawal symptoms after coming down from a high
• Increasing tolerance to drugs
• Using larger amounts of drugs for longer periods of time
• Unsuccessful attempts to quit getting high
• Spending extended time using drugs
• Physical or mental illness caused by drugs
• Giving up activities to get high

Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) is classified by these symptoms:

• Hazardous use of controlled substances
• Social and interpersonal problems from drug use
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Increased tolerance
• Spending more time using drugs
• Inability to quit
• Using more amounts of drugs for longer periods of time
• Health problems and mental illness related to drug use
• Avoiding activities where drug use isn’t possible
• Cravings and obsessive thoughts

The Mental Health Consequences of Drug Addiction

Addiction can cause permanent brain damage, which can lead to personality disorders, multiple delusional disorders, permanent hallucinations and paranoia, low IQ, mental retardation, major depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, pituitary axis dysfunction, and other symptoms. It’s the sad reality of drug addiction, and unfortunately, many people do develop permanent mental health disorders before hitting rock bottom. There’s no easy part about getting sober. Admitting you have a problem takes bravery, but so does every other step along the way. You have to learn to be your own hero and set aside the shame and guilt of being an addict. Realizing it’s a medical problem and forgiving yourself is imperative. It takes a lot of willpower to reach out for help, and when you do, your support system needs to help you get into a detox program that’s supervised by a doctor.

The Process of Drug Rehabilitation

After detoxing at a specialized medical facility, you’ll be able to move onto the next stage of getting sober, which is recovery. Residents of Wilmington, MA, can go to the Topsail Addiction Treatment facility at Andover, MA, which provides a full-day Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), which is the highest level of outpatient rehab. After graduating from PHP at Topsail, clients move onto the next step, which is Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP). This program allows patients to transition back into life with full support and resources. You’ll have a sponsor while you go back to work, school, or home life. Topsail support staff will help you through the most stressful times so you can overcome cravings triggered by parts of everyday life that can be too much to handle for someone who is sick. After graduating from IOP, you can proudly move onto the final step of Topsail rehab, which is Outpatient Treatment (OP). During OP, patients gain a sense of pride in overcoming triggers with the help of their therapists. Peer support will get you through the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and cravings. You can share your experience and lend a sympathetic ear to other participants. Topsail customizes OP to best meet the patient’s needs. Residents of Wilmington, MA can travel to the facility in Andover, MA for OP. Treatment options include evaluation, counseling, education programs, and a peer support network.

Long-term Sobriety and a Life of Happiness

For residents of Wilmington, Massachusetts, who are suffering from SUD and ready for rehab, Top Sail Addiction Treatment in Andover, Massachusetts, is here to help. We’ll help you through the lows and get you back on your feet so you can live a happy life. Contact us today to get started.