What is Alcohol Adictions and Treatment

Alcohol and drug addiction is most common among teens these days, which may have some serious consequences too. About 50 percent of deaths involving accidents, homicides and suicides are due to alcohol or drug abuse. Not only this, it may also provoke a man to attempt rape or sexual assault. The possible stages of teenagers experiencing alcohol and drugs include: abstinence, experimentation, regular use, abuse and dependency. The regular usage of alcohol and drugs can also lead to some problems like anxiety and depression. There are many teens who also regularly rely on these drugs just to compensate for anxiety, depression or lack of positive social skills.

Drug addiction means the dependence on some illegal drug or alcohol despite knowing the fact that the substance would cause many problems in later life. Addiction also causes intense craving for the substance. In fact, it becomes so difficult to quit that one would need support and help from doctor, family, friends and relatives.  Millions of Americans are addicted to such activities, but addiction to tobacco or caffeine whereas gambling and sex also comes under the same category.

What makes us addicted to drugs?

Addiction to alcohol and drugs occurs because of our poor life decisions. The moment we enter adolescent age, a kind of atmosphere develops around us in school or college which forces us to adopt some bad habits. We tend to try some new things like drinking alcohol, smoking cigarette and taking drugs in a group of friends. This trial of new things later changes into an addiction, which becomes hard to resist.

Warning signs and symptoms of commonly used drugs

·        Narcotics: Heroin, Morphine, Narcotic Analgesics- Feeling lethargic, drowsiness, redness and raw nostrils due to inhaling heroin in powder form. Scars can also appear on inner arms or on other body parts.

·        Stimulants: Cocaine, Crack, Speed and Amphetamines - Dry mouth, dry nose, bad breath and repeated licking of lips, lack of interest in sleep or food and difficulty to sit still. A person gets much irritated, argumentative and nervous too. Not only this, one could find himself really talkative and conversation lacks continuity. Constantly runny nose, cold, nasal problems and bleeding in nose.

·        Marijuana- Talking usually in loud manner and bursts of laughter during early stage of intoxication. Glassy and red eyes also can be found.

·        Hallucinogens: LSD, Mescaline- Dilated pupil, warmness in skin, body odor and excessive perspiration. Distorted sense of sight, hearing, touch and time perception. Mood swings and behavior changes.

·        Inhalants: Glue, Vapor producing solvents, Propellants- Persistent odor of substance on breath and clothes. Watery eyes, runny nose and poor control of muscles.

Why do we get addicted?                                  

It’s a fact that more a person uses drugs, the more the risk increase, which brings in changes in Brain’s Reward System resulting in addiction. The risk for addiction depends on one’s genetic and environmental factors.

·        Genetics- Those people coming from the background or families with the history of addiction are at higher risk to get addicted too.

·        Environment- Environment also has some role in addiction. As per studies, teenagers who take drugs before the age of 14 are also at the increased risk of addiction. Younger teens and children gets motivated too who watch other people doing the same around them.

In order to get rid of drug and alcohol addiction, an effective social support, i.e. a good healthy environment is utmost important. The reason why others get addicted while some don’t is simple because of  genetics and environmental factors.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of drug addiction usually starts at home level in which your family doctor will read the medical history or know about several mood swings and behavior changes. Doctor would ask certain questions about how many times the substance or drug been consumed, or whether the drug taken  has been criticized by other people or not? When the doctor gets satisfied and if its actually addiction, then a specialist will be referred.  

A blood test can also be done which would confirm about the presence of substance in the blood. Remember, the blood test will not diagnose addiction it will only tell whether the drug has been taken recently or not.  The last step would be to know that the person, whether meets the criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).  The manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association, and is used by professionals to diagnose mental conditions.

Drug and alcohol addiction Treatment

The best treatment for alcoholism includes living in a healthy and motivated environment.  Whereas the treatment would only begin when the alcoholic agrees to stop his drinking. Treatment for alcoholism has some stages:

·        Detoxification- Detoxification will be needed immediately after one stops alcohol use. Detox can also result in withdrawal seizures and hallucinations. In some cases death may also occur.

·        Rehabilitations- Counseling and medications for alcoholism are given to the alcoholic so that he leaves alcohol.

·        To maintain sobriety-  To maintain sobriety is also essential for quitting alcohol or drugs. The basic key to maintenance is support which includes some Alcoholic Anonymous meetings and getting a sponsor.

·        Withdrawal therapy- In detoxification, the dose of the drug given is reduced or is substituted to other substances like Methadone or Buprenorphine which offers severe less side effects. Disulfiram, NaltrexoneHcl and Cabergoline are some other medications used for the treatment of drug addiction or alcohol. Acamprosate is another medication used to treat alcohol dependence and is approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration. It also tends to reduce mood swings and anxiety caused by alcohol withdrawal.

Individual progress varies in terms of drug addiction treatment so patience is necessary for any alcoholic who wish to quit alcohol and drugs.