What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

Nobody ever foresees battling a drug use disorder, but this complex disease impacts millions of Americans every single year. Drug use disorders alter your body and brain and can devastate your life. Thankfully, there is help for individuals dealing with drug use. Expert drug addiction treatment is offered in the Roxbury area and can empower you to take back control of your life. Continue reading to find out more about drug use disorders and addiction and how individuals and families can conquer these conditions with professional support.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

A lot of people consume illicit drugs for social reasons or potent prescription drugs to manage physical conditions. But when does drug use develop into a life-altering disorder?

Typically, drug use transforms into a disorder when a person shows concerning patterns of drug use and can no longer regulate their use. Drug use disorders are mental health disorders that vary between mild to severe. These disorders interfere with your life and negatively affect your physical state.

There are differing facets of drug use disorders:

• Dependence occurs when your system becomes so accustomed to a drug that it struggles to function in its absence. You will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug.


• Addiction is a psychological dependency. Dependency-causing drugs change your brain function so that you constantly crave those drugs and feel compelled to consume them more and more. You are no longer in command of your mind and actions. Addiction is the most extreme element of substance use disorders.

All degrees of drug use disorder are hurtful to your relationships, mind, body, and quality of life. If you suspect you or someone you love has a drug use disorder, seek specialized care for recovery. Everybody has a right to help.

What Drugs Are Addictive?

Habit-forming drugs possess powerful chemicals that change your brain. Various ones are hazardous enough to be prohibited by law. Others are authorized medicines but can become unsafe when taken improperly or consumed in excess. Below are many of the most common addictive drugs in the U.S.:

• Narcotics dull the senses, which causes them to be potent pain relievers. However, individuals also use them to decrease other uncomfortable feelings and can become addicted swiftly. Narcotics can be grouped as opiates or opioids. Opiates are naturally derived substances. Opioids are manufactured. Heroin is a widespread prohibited narcotic. Legal drugs like Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin, morphine, and fentanyl have pharmaceutical uses but are addictive and commonly used improperly.


• Benzodiazepines are mood-altering drugs often recommended for mental health disorders. Even so, they can give rise to addiction when not used properly. Their tranquilizing qualities make you feel relaxed. Valium and Xanax are familiar benzos.


• Stimulants consist of medications like Ritalin and Adderall, as well as prohibited drugs like meth and cocaine. They activate your central nervous system, making you feel vigilant, elated, and animated. Taking too much of stimulants can be life-threatening.

All of these types of drugs can lead to a drug use disorder. They all have the potential to disrupt your life and trigger dangerous medical conditions. Get help for yourself or a person you care about at the initial sign of dependency.

How Does Drug Addiction Occur?

There are many reasons why people turn to habit-forming drugs. Some do so recreationally because they enjoy the feelings those chemicals generate. Others develop dependency with medications they're consuming for medical purposes. Another group of people initiate the use of drugs to cope with undiagnosed mental illnesses and find temporary comfort.

No matter the motivation for first using these substances, the route to addiction is usually the same. Your body becomes dependent on the drug, and you feel sick when you don't use it. You use more just to get by. You might progressively take higher doses for the drug to have an impact. You appreciate how it makes you feel. You feel desperate without it and persist in using it. Over time, those chemicals dominate the pleasure center of your brain, and you can no longer feel good unless that drug is present.

If you're addicted, obtaining a reliable supply of the drug is all that matters. Multiple people forfeit jobs, endure medical issues, destroy relationships, and take great risks becasue of drug addiction. Your addiction overpowers you and every part of your life, and you are unable to stop without skilled assistance.

What Are Some Signals Of Drug Addiction?

It may appear a drug use disorder would be apparent. However, these disorders can manifest differently among individuals, and those you care about will often try to mask their drug use from family members. If you have doubts if you or a friend have a drug use disorder, consider the following warning signals:

• Experiencing an irresistible urge to consume the drug


• Failed efforts to cut back on or quit using the drug


• Dedicating lots of time and energy obtaining the drug, ingesting it, or recovering from its effects


• Using a prescription drug for longer periods or in larger amounts than intended


• Struggling to fulfill obligations due to drug use


• Giving up once-liked pastimes to use drugs


• Continuing to use the drug even though it harms relationships


• Continued use of the drug even when it adversely impacts your physical and mental health


• Requiring more of the drug to experience its effects


• Enduring withdrawal when making an effort to stop


• Putting yourself at risk to obtain or use the drug

Drug use disorders can look different among individuals. If you or someone you love are showing any signs of drug addiction near Roxbury, speak with an area doctor or addiction treatment specialist.

Where To Find Drug Addiction Treatment In Roxbury

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-faceted process. Most people will endure relapses and need to repeat steps many times. While there may not be a “cure” for drug use disorder, countless patients enter recovery and apply what they learn during treatment to live a fulfilling, drug-free life. The key is locating skilled, evidence-based treatment that matches your needs.

Each person’s recovery journey will be unique. Even so, treatment typically includes the following steps at accredited treatment facilities:

• Drug detox is the way to let your body rid itself of substances. Your body will do this automatically as long as you don’t take more drugs. Unfortunately, if you have a drug dependence, your body will experience withdrawal without substances. To properly complete detox, you should enter an inpatient detox center that supplies 24/7 medical guidance and keeps you as comfortable as possible.


• Drug rehab programs also provide inpatient support. During rehab, you’ll still live at a treatment center and have access to clinical support for any persistent withdrawal symptoms. You go to different sorts of counseling sessions each day with the goal of grasping your addiction, learning new healthy habits, and addressing any underlying mental disorders. You should stay in rehab until you feel physically and psychologically ready to leave that drug-free environment.


• Once you leave rehab, you should still get expert addiction treatment. Outpatient addiction and mental health therapy will help you live your life without addictive drugs. These programs give you regular therapy and medication management. To start, you might attend outpatient support every day and head home every evening. Eventually, you won’t require as much therapy and could only attend therapy weekly or less.

Everyone has a right to specialized, caring addiction treatment. Regardless of how serious your addiction may be, recovery is achievable. Pursuing the right support at a qualified treatment center is necessary for your future. There’s no need to battle addiction by yourself. You will find numerous possibilities for drug addiction treatment near Roxbury.

How Can Families Support A Loved One Battling Drug Addiction Near Roxbury?

People with a drug use disorder need all the help they can obtain. Family members and friends can be essential to addiction recovery. If you care for someone with a drug use disorder, here are several ways you may assist them:

• Help them check into a treatment facility


• Help them pay for treatment


• Attend family counseling with them


• Take part in aftercare planning


• Give them a safe, drug-free place to live in


• Withhold judgment


• Set limits around their substance use


• Offer transportation to outpatient treatment appointments

Find Help For Drug Use Disorders Near Roxbury Today

No individual should face drug use disorders alone. If you or a loved one are battling with drug addiction, there is hope for recovery. Turn to The Counseling Center at Roxbury-Succasunna at 862-707-2469 or fill out the contact form on this page. Someone will answer you promptly to discuss treatment. Every call is free and private. We answer at all hours, every day of the year. Help is available today. We are ready for you.