Substance use disorders involving alcohol or drugs involve an unhealthy dependence on the. They can affect individuals on a physical or psychological level, and some people may experience symptoms like the intense need to consume alcohol and drugs. This is when the use becomes problematic. See more about dependence and addiction topics here.
Many people are not able to function well. Some of the symptoms may include severe withdrawal and intense periods of headaches once people decide to stop using the substance. If you are aware that someone you love is living with a substance use disorder, the good news is that you will be able to get treatment from the proper facilities in Texas. Some of the interventions may include coping skills, counseling, detoxification, medication, and relapse prevention.
How is Addiction Generally Treated?
It is worth noting that there is no instant cure for substance use disorders. The road to healing and recovery can take a long time, and this may require a lot of therapies, treatments, and commitment from the individual.
Many experts recommend that you or your loved one get an individual treatment plan based on the American Society of Addiction Medicine and another scientific-based approach. The best rehab in Texas will also consider your medical history and personal circumstances. A tailored approach may involve the following:
- A look into your medical history involving alcohol and drug dependency as well as withdrawal symptoms
- Other psychiatric or medical conditions
- Your overall interest in the treatment options
- Social and physical environment
If you want to take more steps to get treated for an alcohol or drug use disorder, you may want to make an appointment with your physician to know the next best thing to do. Some will ask you a series of questions to determine how long you are using the drugs and determine the severity of your case. Some of the options that may be presented to you are the following:
- Detoxification
- Medication
- Counseling
- Group Therapy
- Inpatient Rehab
- Relapse Prevention Training
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
About Detoxification
Some of the plans may begin with detoxification to get rid of the alcohol and drugs in your body. You may experience drug or alcohol detox withdrawal symptoms that can last for days or weeks. This is performed with the help of inpatient rehab facilities in Texas. Typically, the entire process will last for a week. Since the symptoms of physical and psychological withdrawal are life-threatening, the therapist may give you medications to prevent the following:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Shaking
- Chills
- Rapid heartbeat or tachycardia
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
Behavioral Modifications and Therapies
Working with the right therapists in Texas will help you identify triggers, behaviors, and childhood trauma that caused you to use substances in the first place. You will be able to determine your feelings and thoughts to get to the root cause of the behavior. Other advantages of a behavioral modification program may include:
- The development of coping strategies for the dependency
- Self-expression without fear of being judged
- Practice self-awareness
- Learning to curb dependency and create new and healthier habits
Some who have become too dependent on alcohol should learn coping mechanisms and skills to help avoid relapse once they leave a rehab facility. When they return to familiar environments, they should be able to apply the things that they have learned while they were in therapy. The programs may also involve your family, so they will know how they can adequately support you once you are outside.
Finding a support group will be especially helpful if you are undergoing treatment for substance abuse. Some of these people have successfully recovered from the addiction, and they are more than willing to provide information and connect with others who are undergoing similar challenges.
These people may help answer questions, direct you to resources, and provide encouragement. Keep in mind that many individuals may prefer private one-on-one sessions with a counselor, and they may find that most of the support groups are not specifically helpful. See more posts about individual therapies on this page: https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/modes/individual-therapy.
Types of Support Groups to Know About
If you need help, there are a lot of support groups that can tackle dependency on drugs and alcohol. Some of them have successfully helped families and loved ones in coping with addiction, and you may even be familiar with the others. These are the ones to know about:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Alateen
- Al-Anon
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
- National Association for Children of Alcoholics
- Local Support Groups
Medications
Other medications are also used, especially if one is in the process of withdrawal. The most prescribed ones are:
- Naltrexone: This will block the alcohol’s feel-good effects that impact the brain. Without these euphoric feelings, anyone would be less inclined to drink or take drugs.
- Disulfiram. It will beat addiction by making individuals sick when they consume alcohol. When combined with intoxicating drinks, it can cause headaches, nausea, and flushing.
- It is essential to know that the drug disulfiram is the one preferred for those suffering from alcohol use disorders. The side effects can be dangerous, so a licensed physician should only administer it.
- Acamprosate. This can help restore balance and combat alcohol cravings in the brain.
Some, like naltrexone, can be available through injection or oral tablets. The Vivitrol cis will be usually injected in the form of a drug that a physician will administer about once a month. Most of these are convenient and reliable compared to oral pills, especially if you tend to forget to take scheduled medication daily. They may also be available through rehabilitation facilities in Texas and may be a more effective way of combating addiction when coupled with the proper inpatient treatment.
Long-Term Effects of Substance Abuse
Too many drugs and alcohol taken over time can take their toll on one’s body. They can cause various complications such as the following:
- Different Kinds of Cancer
- Heart Diseases
- Cirrhosis or Scarring of the Liver
- Gastritis or Inflammation of the Lining of the Stomach
- Neurological Disorders like Dementia
The dependency may also be affected by mental health disorders like anxiety or depression. Seek medical care for both addiction and mental illnesses that you may be experiencing to get more effective treatment.
