Understanding Addiction
What Is the Definition of Drug and Alcohol Addiction?
When someone is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, they experience a compulsive need to keep using a certain substance even though it is harmful to them.
Someone who is experiencing substance use disorder will develop a physical dependence and often a psychological dependence upon a certain substance. If they try to cut back on their use of this substance or quit using it altogether, they may end up experiencing cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
Did you know that many people who struggle with substance use often struggle with different mental health conditions? They may have turned to alcohol or drug abuse as a coping mechanism for these conditions. However, over time, they may have experienced a loss of control.
Addiction is complicated not only for the person who struggles with it but also for their family members and everyone who cares about them. If this is something that you’re currently going through, our team at The Raleigh House is here to help.
What Is the Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction?
Mental health and addiction are closely intertwined because many people who have untreated mental health problems may turn to alcohol or drug misuse as a way to self-medicate.
For example, someone could be struggling with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Maybe they’ve attempted to get help with this disorder in the past, only to find the relief they were hoping for. Alcohol or drug use may seem like a quick way to numb the pain.
While substance use may numb the symptoms of a mental health disorder temporarily, the problem is still going to be there when the effects of that substance wear off. In fact, substance use most often makes these mental health problems even worse.
How Does Addiction Affect the Brain?
Addiction affects the brain by rewiring the way it regulates critical processes like reward, memory, and decision-making.
When you use a substance like drugs or alcohol, your brain releases a surge of the feel-good chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is often associated with a sense of pleasure. You can boost dopamine in many natural ways, like through physical exercise or doing activities that you enjoy.
However, when you misuse drugs or alcohol over an extended period of time, it can affect your brain’s ability to produce dopamine naturally. You can become dependent on a certain substance to experience that same sense of pleasure that you’ve become used to. At that point, you will continue to need more and more of that substance to experience the same effects.
Is Addiction a Disease?
Yes, addiction is a disease and not something that someone chooses to experience.
It affects everything from the way that your brain works to how you make decisions. However, like other diseases, it is also something that can be treated.
Recognizing the Signs of Addiction
What Are the Signs of Addiction?
The signs of addiction can vary from person to person and can depend on the type of substance someone is addicted to.
However, there are some primary signs that you can look out for, whether you’re looking for them within your own behavior or in someone that you care about.
Some examples of signs of addictive behaviors may include:
- Having trouble keeping up with personal or professional obligations
- Experiencing relationship problems because of your substance use
- Often experiencing negative consequences as a result of your substance use
- Experiencing withdrawal side effects if you try to go without a certain substance
- Trying to cut back on your substance use but struggling to do so
- Often making poor decisions because of the use of drugs or alcohol
- Distancing yourself from friends or family
- No longer finding interest in the hobbies you used to enjoy
- Experiencing worsened mental health symptoms
How Does Recognizing the Signs of Addiction Help Me?
Recognizing the signs of addiction can help you by making sure you know what to look for if you suspect that you or someone you know could be struggling with substance use disorder.
What Are Some Common Signs of Addiction to Look For?
There are physical, mental, and behavioral signs that can be connected to addiction to look out for.
Some physical signs may include:
- Changes in weight
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Unexplained bruising or marks on the skin
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in hygiene
Some mental signs may include:
- Increased anxiety or depression
- Frequent mood swings
- Unusual aggression
- Cravings
- A lack of energy or motivation
Some behavioral signs may include:
- A decreased performance at school or work
- Taking part in risky activities
- Secretive behavior
- Isolation from friends or family
- Trying to cut back on substance use but struggling to do so
Stages of Addiction
What Are the 5 Stages of Addiction?
The five stages of addiction are typically described as experimentation or first use, regular use, risky use, dependence, and addiction.
How Does Addiction Progress Through Its Stages?
Addiction will typically take place gradually but will become more severe over time as someone becomes dependent on the substance and then begins to need more and more of it to experience the same effects they’ve gotten used to.
When someone first starts using a substance, they may only do it from time to time. However, this can eventually progress into regular use, which can lead to tolerance, dependence, and finally addiction.
Do Environmental Factors Influence the Stages of Addiction?
Yes, certain factors like your family or home environment, trauma, stress, and peer pressure can all contribute to addiction, even causing it to progress more quickly.
For example, consider if you lived in an environment where you had easy access to certain substances, particularly at a young and impressionable age. Your likelihood of developing an addiction could likely be greater than someone who doesn’t grow up in this type of environment.
Do Genetic Factors Influence the Stages of Addiction?
Yes, genetic factors can often but not always influence the stages of addiction.
For example, if you have a direct family member who struggled with addiction, your risk of developing an addiction is going to be higher. Your genetic makeup, including how your brain processes dopamine, can also influence your likelihood of experiencing addiction.
Interrupting the Stages of the Addiction Cycle
How Can I Break the Cycle of Addiction?
You can break the cycle of addiction by acknowledging the problem, reaching out for professional help, building a strong support system, and putting in the work and dedication to remain sober.
Maybe addiction has run in your family for multiple generations. You can choose to put an end to it by seeking treatment and holding yourself accountable.
How Do I Find Help For Addiction?
If you’re struggling with addiction, consider reaching out to your primary care provider.
They can help to provide you with a diagnosis and recommend different treatment programs that will help meet your needs. You can also reach out to a trusted family member or friend, or call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It is available 24/7.
How Can I Support a Loved One Struggling With Addiction?
If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction, it is important to treat them with empathy, compassion, and respect.
Encourage them to seek professional help while assuring them that you’ll be there for them to support them along the way. To make seeking help as easy as possible for them, consider giving them the contact information for different treatment centers that may fit their needs.
It’s possible that when you confront your loved one for the first time about their addiction, they won’t want to accept help. They might not want to acknowledge that they have a problem. Don’t give up, but continue to try to encourage them to get the treatment they need.
Stages of Change in Addiction
What Are the Stages of Change in Addiction?
The stages of change when it comes to addiction are used to describe the way that someone can go from being not ready to accept help, to gradually being more willing to make changes, and eventually putting in the work to get and stay sober.
These stages have often been labeled as precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.
Precontemplation is the first stage. It is when the person is not ready to accept help and does not believe that they have a problem.
The next stage is contemplation. At this point, they may be warming up to the idea that they have a problem and may be considering doing something about it in the future. However, they’re still not ready to take action.
The next stage is preparation. This is when the individual is ready to change. They may even be coming up with a plan for how they’re going to take action to get the help they need.
Next up is action. This is a very important stage because it is when the individual is actively taking steps to get help and build new, healthy habits. Maybe they’ve entered a treatment program or have begun going to support group meetings.
The final stage is maintenance. At this point, the individual is sober and is doing whatever they can to maintain long-term sobriety. It involves putting in effort and making the decision to choose recovery every day.
Will These Stages Happen In Order?
No, these stages do not always happen for everyone.
For example, maybe you reach the stage of preparation first and are willing to make a change in your life. However, your mindset might change before you take the steps to get sober. The most important thing is that you do reach that critical step of taking action.
Does Relapse Always Happen During the Stages of Change?
No, relapse does not always happen for everyone during the stages of change.
Everyone’s journey in recovery can look different.
Treatment for Addiction
What Role Does Professional Support Play in Addiction Treatment?
Professional support plays a very critical role in addiction treatment, from the detox process to continued treatment plans, mental health support, and relapse prevention.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Substance Abuse?
There are many different treatment options available for those struggling with substance abuse, and choosing the right option comes down to considering your own unique needs.
The type of substance you are seeking treatment for, how long you’ve been using that particular substance, and how much of the substance you’ve been using can influence the type of treatment that is best for you. Another factor that is important to consider is what kind of treatment environment is going to be the best fit for you. For example, are you looking for an inpatient or outpatient treatment environment?
The Raleigh House in Denver, Colorado, has two treatment facilities. Between these two facilities, we offer a variety of treatment programs.
These programs include:
- Inpatient rehab
- Partial hospitalization
- Medical detox
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient mental health
- Rehab for professionals
- Interventionist services
- Continuing care
- Alumni program
If the thought of choosing between all of these options seems overwhelming to you, don’t worry. Our team can work with you to decide what treatment program would be the best fit for your needs.
How Do Different Therapies Address Drug and Alcohol Addiction?
There are several different kinds of common therapies used to address drug and alcohol addiction, and while their processes might be unique, they are all intended to help you get sober and stay sober.
One of the most common types of therapy used to treat drug and alcohol addiction is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy helps you to learn how to identify negative thoughts and behavior patterns. From there, you can learn how to address these things in a more positive way, which can help to reduce the chance of relapse.
Another common form of therapy that can help treat drug and alcohol addiction is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). This treatment helps with emotional regulation and can help combat impulsive behaviors. This can help with good decision-making and avoiding triggers while in recovery.
Others may benefit from trauma-informed therapy. Because trauma is the root cause of addiction for many people, this kind of therapy can help address unresolved trauma in a safe but effective way.
FAQs
Is there a difference between the stages of drug and alcohol addiction?
The stages of both drug and alcohol addiction typically look similar and progress in similar ways.
However, everyone’s experience with addiction is unique. People may experience different stages at different times. Factors like the type of substance someone is in recovery from and how long they’ve been using that substance can also influence these stages.
For example, someone may be able to drink a moderate amount of alcohol for many years before they recognize that it is a problem. However, in the case of hardcore illicit drugs, addiction may progress more quickly.
Is substance misuse the same as substance addiction?
No, substance misuse is not the same as substance addiction, although substance misuse can lead to addiction and vice versa.
Not everyone who takes part in substance misuse ends up experiencing addiction. For example, some people may be able to go out with friends from time to time and overindulge in alcohol or other substances without ever developing a substance use disorder. However, many others can find that even using a substance like alcohol in moderation becomes impossible for them.
Can addiction be cured?
Addiction cannot be cured in the way that other diseases can be. However, it can be managed through professional help, and long-term sobriety is possible for everyone.
Can managing one addiction lead to another addiction?
Yes, in some cases, managing one addiction can lead a person to turn to another addiction in its place.
This is often referred to as addiction transfer. An example of this might be someone who turns to marijuana misuse after entering recovery for alcohol addiction. This often happens because they haven’t addressed the root cause of their initial addiction.
A root cause of addiction could be anything from unresolved trauma to stress or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Addressing this root cause is critical in avoiding addiction transfer.
You can also avoid addiction transfer by working with an addiction specialist, developing healthy coping skills, and attending support group meetings.
To learn more about addiction recovery and the available treatment options, contact our team at The Raleigh House at (720) 891-4657 today.