Never Too Late
Drug Addiction
Drug Addiction
Drug Addiction & Recovery
Why People Do Drugs
People use drugs because it puts the brain in a pleasant state. This state temporarily relieves the user of negative feelings, like anxiety, anger and sadness. Drug abuse can cause structural changes in the brain that, in turn, can lead to an increased tolerance, dependence, decreased ability to make rational decisions. This eventuality leads to further abuse. Withdrawal causes an even stronger need to use again.
Drug susceptiblity
Drug abuse takes many forms, from the misuse of prescribed medications such as sleeping tablets and tranquilizers, to the misuse of non-prescribed drugs like cannabis (marijuana or weed), cocaine (or crack), heroin, TIK (methyl amphetamine), MDMA (ecstasy), and GHB (date rape drug).
- People with a family history of drug abuse/alcoholism
- Environmental factors – social environment, history of trauma, peer pressure etc.
- Dual diagnosis e.g. depression, anxiety, bi-polar.
- Adolescents – due to the fact that the area in the brain that governs decision-making and self -control is still developing, this age group is at particular risk.
Drug abuse indicators
- Mood swings and increased irritability and hostility
- Increase or decrease in sleep
- Increased or reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Poor concentration and memory lapse
- Energetic or impulsive behaviour and poor decision making
- Dishonesty and stealing
- Mood swings and increased irritability and hostility
- Increase or decrease in sleep
- Increased or reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Poor concentration and memory lapse
- Energetic or impulsive behaviour and poor decision making
- Dishonesty and stealing
- Avoidance of previously enjoyed activities
- Change in routine and friends
- Reduced personal hygiene
- Slurring or incoherent speech
- Blood shot eyes or dilated pupils
- Possession of drug related equipment e.g. glass pipes, tin foil, burnt spoons, small plastic bags
- Avoidance of previously enjoyed activities
- Change in routine and friends
- Reduced personal hygiene
- Slurring or incoherent speech
- Blood shot eyes or dilated pupils
- Possession of drug related equipment e.g. glass pipes, tin foil, burnt spoons, small plastic bags
Drug Addiction Recovery
Like alcoholism, drug addiction is considered a chronic disease and requires continuous attention and management. Drug addiction is also progressive. It will continue to get worse unless it is addressed.
Recovery requires a lot of support. A user is likely to be resistant at first due to the poor decision-making effect of drug abuse. Drug users are likely to find that their lives become unmanageable. For example, relationships with family and friends break down, job loss, loss of money, criminal behaviour, legal issues and health problems.
Help may be needed to assist your loved ones in asking for help. Recovery options provide the platform for sobriety, and sets the stage for developing a recovery plan. Integration into the 12-Step Narcotics Anonymous programme provides an on-going support system and social network to assist with sobriety, one day at a time.
About us
Place of Serenity offers a peaceful and healing atmosphere in which to recover from addiction, and the expertise of all staff members is surpassed only by their dedication to providing care. The needs of every man and woman who chooses to recover in a supportive environment at Place of Serenity are identified, addressed, and effectively treated, and as they navigate the way to lasting sobriety.
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