What Is Drug Abuse?

Drug Abuse And Addiction, refers to a persistent, relapsing condition in which the drug user instinctively spends time searching for and using a prohibited drug. This type of addiction is typified by neurochemical as well as molecular alterations in the brain. As it is cocaine, heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide, mandrax, barbiturates, and a variety of opiates are some of the most commonly used drugs, which are subject to substance abuse by drug users.

Signs Of Drug Abuse

Addiction happens to be a very complex disorder, which is typified by drug use. In general, those who get addicted to drugs feel an uncontrollable and overwhelming need for drug usage, even if there are threats of adverse outcomes. This type of self-destructive behavior may be quite hard to identify with.

The answer to this lies within the brain. Frequent drug usage modifies the brain, resulting in a long-lasting alteration in behavioral patterns and physiology. Such brain changes interfere with the ability to comprehend, control one’s behavior, apply sound judgment, or feel normal sans drugs. These alterations are also to be blamed for drug cravings and compulsion to drug usage, which make addictions so powerful.

Signs and symptoms of drug abuse include physical warning signs, such as bloodshot eyes, which are smaller or larger than usual, alterations in sleep patterns or appetite, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, deterioration in physical appearance, unusual smells, slurred speech, impaired coordination or tremors, etc. The behavioral symptoms in such a condition include a drop in attendance and performance in school or work, an unexplained requirement for money, which, if unsatisfied, may lead to stealing, getting engaged in secretive behavior, sudden alterations in friends or hobbies, etc. Apart from that, there may be several psychological warning symptoms, such as aggressive behavior leading to fights, irritability, sudden mood swings, giddiness, or lack of motivation.

In case of such warning signs, it is better to take appropriate steps in this regard. If a person is suffering from drug addiction, they should go for a drug rehabilitation program.

Drug Treatment Program

A drug rehabilitation program refers to medical or psychotherapeutic treatment regarding dependence on various psychoactive substances like cocaine, heroin, etc. The primary purpose is to allow the patient to stop substance abuse to avoid psychological, legal, social, financial, and physical consequences, which may be caused, mainly due to excessive abuse.

Several treatment procedures are applied for achieving the desired results, such as Top Treatment Centers, residential treatment, out-patient, extended care centers, local support groups, and recovery houses. Medication includes buprenorphine as well as behavioral therapies in case of stimulant addiction, which are often used. Certain opioid medications like methadone are also widely used for treating addiction as well as dependence on drugs. Buprenorphine and methadone are maintenance therapies used to stabilize abnormal opioid systems and are used for withdrawing the patients from narcotics. Ibogaine is another medication that may be used to interrupt both psychological cravings and physical dependence on a wide range of drugs.

Behavioral therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy, multidimensional family therapy, motivational interviewing, as well as motivational incentives.

Four Best Ways to Stay Sober After Treatment

There’s no doubt about it, making the decision to enter into a Florida drug rehab in order to begin your recovery journey is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. On top of that, the day that you complete substance abuse treatment will be one of the greatest achievements that you will ever make.

However, the recovery journey does not stop there. On the contrary, this will begin a long life of important decision making that will prove invaluable to the success of maintaining your sobriety. When you first leave your Boca Raton drug rehab, chances are that you will find this to be one of the most challenging aspects of the whole recovery process. In order to ensure the continued success of your sobriety, take note of some of the four best ways to stay sober after treatment from Treatment Alternatives. After all, they have three decades worth of experience to share.

1. Stick to the recovery plan. Even though you may feel like you have your whole like under control, make sure to stick the recovery plan. This feeling just proves that your recovery plan is working, and the last thing you want to do is mess what’s responsible for your success in sobriety so far.

2. Put yourself first. Take care of your mind and body so that you do not put yourself in a position in which you want to make yourself feel better – and potentially relapse. Devote some extra time to yourself, considering how much your substance abuse put your mind and body through before.

3. Surround yourself with good people. A strong support system is one of the most effective ways to stay sober after treatment. Whether it is family, friends, or other people in recovery, make sure you surround yourself with good people who support your recovery.

4. Make sure you talk it out. One of the reasons why surrounding yourself with good people is so important is because you need people that you can talk to who will actually be able to help you. If you feel a potential relapse coming on, then it is vital that you talk it out with your support system. Your support system can include anyone from the friends you made at your Florida drug rehab, your therapist, your family, or anyone else that you trust to have your best interests at heart.

If you or a loved one are in need of quality Florida treatment for substance abuse,

Treatment Center Must Haves

When taking the first steps needed for getting help for a substance abuse problem, you need to make sure that you find the right addiction treatment center that can help you get back on the right track.

But what do you need to look for in a quality Boca Raton drug rehab, anyways? Some of the main substance abuse treatment center must haves include:

Customized programs. Since not everyone has had the same journey, not every treatment program should be the same. Treatment centers with customized programs and a wide variety of treatment options available will help ensure that you are receiving the proper alcohol abuse treatment necessary to regain your life and sobriety.

Licensing. In order for Boca Raton addiction treatment center to be one you should consider, it needs to be certified and accredited by the state it’s in. For bonus points, the facility should also be certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). If an addiction treatment center has been certified by the JCAHO, it means that they have been inspected and approved the facility as established and trustworthy, and meets a certain set of standards regarding treatment quality, patient safety, human resources management, and more.

Aftercare management. Whichever addiction treatment center you choose, it should have aftercare management with recovery resources to help keep their post-treatment schedule on track. Patients also need to be able to communicate with their therapists during times when they feel especially vulnerable. The facility should also have group therapy sessions available, where those in recovery can come and get support from other people going through the same situation they are. An added bonus: a treatment center that has an alumni group which allows those who have completed treatment to stay involved with the facility.

Getting family involved. For most who have suffered with a substance abuse problem, problems with family members have also come as a result. Because continued problems with family members can hinder the recovery process, making sure that the family is involved in the recovery process will enable the patient to reconnect with them and lean on them for support. This helps create a foundation with plenty of support to help continue healthy family relationships and prevent relapse.

Accurate medical record keeping. Treatment centers that keep accurate medical records is vital to the success of treatment. All addiction treatment centers should have full documentation of any examinations, diagnosis, and treatment done on a patient. This way, if documents are needed for disciplinary or peer review matters, medical records can prove the need for substance abuse treatment.