Over time, addictions can take a physical and emotional toll on the body to the point where it is difficult to recover. Some people get better during the treatment while other people may get worse. There are several reasons why people feel the need to recover, and some of the reasons are serious enough to require treatment. There are several ways to recover from drug addiction. If you are seeking help in Recovering from drugs in Florida.
What are drugs?
A drug, in scientific terms, is any substance other than food that is used to alter the way the body or mind functions. To put it another way, a drug is any chemical that, once ingested, changes the way the body functions. People who are addicted to these drugs find it hard to avoid them at a certain point. Therefore, they need to get admitted to rehabilitation centers for recovering from drugs in Florida.
Medications, as well as alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, are all drugs. Drugs alter the messages sent between brain cells and to the rest of the body. They do this by interfering with neurotransmitters, which are the brain’s own chemical signals.
Types of drugs
There are two types of drugs:
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Legal drugs
Legal drugs are either prescribed by a physician or are available over the counter at a pharmacy or other outlet and considered safe. They are intended for medical use, such as to relieve pain and treat medical conditions. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) drugs are both legal. Caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol are all legal substances.
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Illegal drugs
These are those that have not been prescribed by a licensed medical professional and are therefore illegal to use. They include crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, anabolic steroids, and cannabis obtained through dishonest or prohibited means (through drug dealers).
Classifications of drugs:
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Depressants
Depressants are among the most commonly found types of drugs in society. These depressants, such as alcohol, are widely available and used by adults on a daily basis. Despite their widespread availability, they can become addictive and have negative consequences if used excessively.
The central nervous system’s response time is slowed by alcohol. You will feel more relaxed and less inhibited as the response time, and function of the neurons in your brain slows. When you drink too much alcohol, you risk getting alcohol poisoning and going into a coma.
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Stimulants
Stimulant drugs stimulate the central nervous system of the body. The body’s systems respond with higher respiration rates and faster heart rates as response times between brain neurons increase. Stimulant drugs include things like caffeine and nicotine. Caffeine or nicotine will provide you with a surge of energy that can make you addicted. Thus, your body will also become dependent on those chemical substances.Recovering from drugs in Florida.
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Opioids
The opioid addiction crisis has had a significant impact on our society. Opioids are a group of drugs that reduce or eliminate pain. Many doctors are prescribing opioids as pain relievers. Vicodin and OxyContin are examples of opioids. These medications are highly addictive and can lead to prescription drug abuse. These drugs, like heroin, can lead to even more severe addictions.
These drugs not only make you addicted, but they also change your mood and mind. Due to the impurities commonly found in the street, the risk of using heroin with fentanyl can be lethal. Those who progress to or have an addiction to heroin are at serious risk of death.
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Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens alter perceptions and moods by acting on the central nervous system and brain. People are extensively using LSD and the hallucinogen as well. LSD increases the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain.
As your serotonin levels rise quickly, your mood can swing wildly, as can your ability to perceive and process stimuli. The serotonin levels rise when you do not try to control it, LSD and hallucinogens can cause the patients to see things that are not there.
Why are drugs addictive?
Understanding why drugs are so addictive necessitates knowledge of the brain and how drugs affect it. Natural pleasure sensors in the brain release dopamine. The brain releases dopamine when something good happens, such as eating a delicious meal or having a pleasant conversation with someone. When you inject these drugs into the body of patients, they will stimulate this natural chemical release.
This is where the issue lies physiologically. The brain becomes more reliant on these higher levels of dopamine as patients are using more medicines. As a result, it eventually reduces the individual’s initial effect or “high”.
When this happens, the brain develops a tolerance for the changed dopamine stimulation and craves more. Then, in order to achieve the same “high,” the patient needs to take more drugs.
Can you recover from drug abuse?
Treatment for drug addiction, like treatment for other chronic diseases like heart disease or asthma, is rarely a cure. On the other hand, you can also manage addiction easily. Treatment allows people to regain control of their lives by preventing addiction’s disruptive effects on their brain and behavior.
Role of Behavioral Therapies in the treatment of drug addiction
People in drug addiction treatment can use behavioral therapies to change their attitudes and behaviors around drug use. Thus, patients easily understand how to deal with traumatic situations and various threats that may lead to a relapse.
However, behavioral therapies can also help people stay in treatment longer by improving the effectiveness of medications. Here are the few therapies that can help recover from drug abuse:
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy
It aims to assist patients in recognizing, avoiding, and coping with situations where they are most likely to use drugs.
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Contingency Management
Positive reinforcement has a significant effect on the patients’ health. Contingency management involves providing rewards for avoiding drugs, attending counseling sessions regularly, or taking treatment medications according to prescription.
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Motivational enhancement therapy
It employs strategies to take advantage of people’s willingness to change their ways and seek treatment.
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Family therapy
People (especially young people) with drug use problems and their families can benefit from family therapy to address influences on drug use patterns and improve overall family functioning.
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Twelve-step facilitation
TSF (twelve-step facilitation) is an individual therapy that typically involves 12 weekly sessions for delivery to prepare people to join 12-step mutual support groups. Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs are not medical treatments, but they provide social and complementary support to those who are.
The 12-step themes of acceptance, surrender, and TSF follow active participation in recovering from drugs in Florida.
