What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

Nobody ever plans on battling a drug use disorder, but this challenging disease touches millions of Americans each year. Drug use disorders change your mind and body and can devastate your life. Thankfully, there is assistance for individuals struggling with drug use. Professional drug addiction treatment is accessible in the Freehold area and can empower you to reclaim control of your life. Read on to discover more about drug use disorders and addiction and how individuals and their family members can overcome these conditions with specialized support.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

Numerous people use illicit drugs for social reasons or potent prescription drugs to address health conditions. But at what point does drug use develop into a life-altering disorder?

Commonly, drug use transforms into a disorder when a person exhibits troubling patterns of use and loses control of their use. Drug use disorders are mental health conditions that range from mild to severe. These conditions unsettle your life and have an adverse effect on your physical state.

There are differing aspects of drug use disorders:

• Dependence develops when your body becomes so reliant on a drug that it struggles to perform without it. You will suffer unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you discontinue use of the drug.


• Addiction is a psychological dependency. Habit-forming drugs alter your brain chemistry so that you constantly desire those drugs and feel compelled to use them in growing amounts. You are unable to manage your mental state and behaviors. Addiction is the most extreme element of drug use disorders.

All levels of drug use disorder are damaging to your body, mind, relationships, and wellbeing. If you think you or a person you care about has a drug use disorder, seek skilled treatment for recovery. Anyone who is afflicted has a right to help.

What Drugs Are Dependency-causing?

Dependency-causing drugs include strong chemicals that alter your brain. Some are hazardous enough to be outlawed. Others are approved medicines but can turn unsafe when used improperly or overused. Below are some of the frequently encountered addictive drugs in the United States:

• Narcotics deaden the senses, which causes them to be powerful analgesics. Even so, individuals also use them to minimize other unwanted feelings and can become addicted swiftly. Narcotics are typically categorized as opiates or opioids. Opiates are naturally derived substances. Opioids are lab-created. Heroin is a widespread unlawful narcotic. Legal narcotics like OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, fentanyl, and morphine have therapeutic uses but are addictive and frequently abused.


• Benzodiazepines are mood-changing drugs typically given for mental disorders. However, they can turn addictive when not managed correctly. Their calming qualities cause you to feel relaxed. Xanax and Valium are widely recognized benzos.


• Stimulants encompass prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall, as well as illicit drugs like meth and cocaine. They stimulate your central nervous system, making you feel focused, energized, and exhilarated. Excessive use of stimulants can be deadly.

All of these types of drugs can result in a drug use disorder. They all possess the potential to disrupt your life and create dangerous medical conditions. Seek support for yourself or a loved one at the first sign of substance dependency.

How Does Drug Addiction Start?

There are numerous reasons why individuals start using habit-forming drugs. Numerous do so for pleasure because they relish in the sensations those chemicals generate. Some people get addicted to prescription drugs they're using for medical purposes. Another group of people start using drugs to self-treat undiagnosed mental illnesses and find short-term relief.

Whatever the reason for first trying these substances, the progression to addiction is generally the same. Your body grows dependent on the drug, and you feel ill when you don't use it. You ingest more just to operate. You may slowly require higher amounts for the drug to have an impact. You appreciate how its effect feels. You feel distressed without it and keep taking it. Ultimately, those chemicals overtake the pleasure center of your brain, and you are unable to feel normal unless that drug is present.

Once you're addicted, getting a reliable supply of the drug is all that matters. Numerous people suffer medical issues, harm relationships, lose jobs, and take significant risks as a result of drug addiction. Your addiction overpowers you and every part of your life, and you are unable to quit without specialized help.

What Are Signals Of Drug Addiction?

You might surmise that a drug use disorder would be apparent. But, these disorders can look different among individuals, and those you love will frequently try to mask their drug use from you. If you are uncertain if you or a relative have a drug use disorder, reflect on these indicators:

• Feeling an overwhelming urge to use the drug


• Unsuccessful attempts to slow down on or cease using the drug


• Spending lots of time acquiring the drug, using it, or coming down from its effects


• Consuming a prescription for longer durations or in larger amounts than prescribed


• Having difficulty fulfilling obligations due to drug use


• Letting go of favorite pastimes to consume drugs


• Persistent use of the drug even when it damages relationships


• Persistent use of the drug even when it takes a toll on your mental and physical health


• Having to take more of the drug to feel its effects


• Enduring withdrawal when making an effort to halt use


• Putting yourself at risk to obtain or ingest the drug

Drug use disorders may look different among individuals. If you or a loved one are showing any indications of drug addiction near Freehold, speak with a doctor or addiction treatment professional.

Where To Find Drug Addiction Treatment In Freehold

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-tier process. Most people will experience setbacks and have to repeat steps many times. While there may not be a “cure” for drug use disorder, countless people enter recovery and implement what they explore during treatment to live a healthy, sober life. The answer is getting specialized, proven treatment that aligns with your needs.

No two addiction recovery avenues are exactly the same. Even so, treatment usually includes the following steps at accredited treatment facilities:

• Drug detox is the method of letting your body clear itself of substances. Your body will do this on its own if you refrain from taking more drugs. However, if you have a dependence, your body will go into withdrawal without using. To securely complete detox, you should enter an inpatient detox treatment center that supplies round-the-clock medical support and takes steps to keep you comfortable.


• Drug rehab programs also give you inpatient treatment. In rehab, you’ll continue to live at a treatment center and get access to specialized healthcare for any persistent withdrawal symptoms. Every day, you attend different kinds of counseling sessions with the aim of understanding your addiction, developing new healthy habits, and addressing any existing mental disorders. You should continue in rehab until you become physically and psychologically ready to exit that sober environment.


• Once you leave rehab, you should still receive expert addiction treatment. Outpatient addiction and mental health care will help you navigate your life without drugs. These programs provide continuing counseling sessions and medication management. At first, you might participate in outpatient treatment each day and return home every evening. Eventually, you’ll need less therapy and might only go to therapy once a week or less.

Every individual deserves skilled, compassionate addiction treatment. Regardless of how severe your addiction is, recovery is achievable. Getting the right therapy at a qualified facility is necessary to reach your goals. There’s no need to face addiction by yourself. You have numerous options for drug addiction treatment near Freehold.

How Can Families Help A Loved One Grappling With Drug Addiction Near Freehold?

Those with a drug use disorder need all the help they can obtain. Family members and friends can be crucial to addiction recovery. If you love a person with a drug use disorder, here are many ways you may support them:

• Help them get into a treatment program


• Help them pay for treatment


• Attend family counseling with them


• Play an active role in aftercare planning


• Give them a safe, substance-free setting to live


• Avoid passing judgment


• Set boundaries around their drug use


• Help them get to outpatient treatment appointments

Get Help For Drug Use Disorders Near Freehold Today

No individual should try to handle drug use disorders on their own. If you or a loved one are grappling with drug addiction, recovery is possible. Call The Counseling Center At Freehold at 732-515-4187 or complete our contact form below. Someone will reply immediately to explore treatment. All communications are free and private. We answer at all hours, all year round. Find help now. We are here for you.