Breaking the Chain from Addiction Part 2

04 Feb Breaking the Chain from Addiction Part 2

Posted at 18:25h in Uncategorized by Kelly Alligood 0 Comments

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Treatment and Prevention

Signs of Substance Abuse

“Social dysfunction at school or work, poor performance, etc.” (AmericanAddictionCenters)
“Loss of energy or motivation”
missing/loss of money used to obtain substances
“Risky behaviors while intoxicated”
Withdrawal symptoms
Lying and manipulation to maintain habit
Isolation
Dilated pupils, red or unusual characteristics in the eye, slurred speech
Unstable relationships
Neglecting self care
Depression/anger/mood fluctuation
Diet/weight changes
Behavioral problems/instability

Risk Factors for Substance Abuse

#1 risk factor is addiction in a parent or caregiver
Early initiation – use before 15 years of age are more likely to develop dependence
Mental health disorders
Gene-environment interaction – childhood stressors, availability and access, peer-group behavior, parental attitudes/monitoring, religiosity
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – stressful/traumatic experiences that occur between ages 0-17. The higher the ACE score the higher the risk of addiction.

Since substances also produce dopamine, someone who is substance-dependent may use them as a way to feel happier and boost their mood. One thing that makes recovery difficult is finding ways to feel “happy,” or “good,” naturally when the brain has been dependent on a substance for the feeling for so long. It takes a long time for the brain to repair the natural cells that produce dopamine in a healthy way. It also takes a while to build mental strength to fight the urges of SUD, but IT IS POSSIBLE. Finding new, healthy ways to produce dopamine, like exercise, sunlight, non-triggering fun activities, healthy social engagements, or a new hobby, will help replace the negative outlets.

Be aware of environments that triggered use before. If old friends, places, music, movies, shows, relatives, etc., trigger the brain to desire the substance, remove yourself from the situations and replace them with something else that creates healthy, non-triggering environments for you.

It is also important to know that relapse, though it can be dangerous and deadly, is also common during recovery. Many people who are in recovery tend to relapse, but it is not a reason to be discouraged. Make changes, add more time and strategies into your treatment, and keep trying. Treatments may consist of medication, therapy, rehab, getting a sponsor, religious support, family and social support, etc.

There are medications available to treat different addictions:

“Opioid – methadone, buprenorphine (approved for ages 16+), extended-release naltrexone, lofexidine,” (NIDA).
“Nicotine – replacement therapies (patches, inhaler, gum), bupropion, varenicline.”
“Alcohol – Naltrexone, disulfiram, acamprosate.”

Behavioral Approaches:

MET – motivational enhancement therapy
CBT – cognitive behavioral therapy
DBT – dialectical behavioral therapy

Do not be afraid to seek help if you are struggling with addiction. There are many factors in play that lead to addiction and make it difficult to fight. Do not fear being judged. You are human, as we all are. Everyone needs help at some point. You are loved. There are many resources out there to help you. The first step is identifying there is a problem. That is a victory in itself. It is not a straight, uphill battle, either. There will be many ups and downs, and harder times than others. Don’t be focused on the destination, be focused on the journey and all the accomplishments, big or small, that you achieve along the way. And most importantly…you are NOT alone.