What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

No person ever expects to develop a drug use disorder, but this challenging disease impacts millions of Americans every year. Drug use disorders change your brain and body and can ruin your life. Fortunately, there is support for those struggling with drug use. Professional drug addiction treatment is available in the Middlesex area and can empower you to reclaim control of your life. Keep reading to discover more about drug use disorders and addiction and how people and their loved ones can overcome these conditions with specialized help.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

A lot of people take illicit drugs for recreation or powerful prescription drugs to manage health conditions. But at what point does drug use develop into a life-altering disorder?

Generally, drug use transforms into a disorder when someone exhibits troubling patterns of drug use and can no longer control their use. Drug use disorders are mental health conditions that vary between mild to severe. These disorders interfere with your life and have a detrimental impact on your wellbeing.

There are distinct facets of drug use disorders:

• Dependence begins when your body becomes so reliant on a drug that it struggles to perform without it. You will endure unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you quit using the drug.


• Addiction is a psychological dependency. Addictive drugs change your neural chemistry so that you persistently crave those substances and feel driven to use them more and more. You are no longer able to control your thoughts and actions. Addiction is the most severe part of substance use disorders.

All levels of drug use disorder are damaging to your body, mind, relationships, and quality of life. If you are concerned that you or a person you love has a drug use disorder, seek skilled care for recovery. Anyone who is afflicted is entitled to help.

What Drugs Are Dependency-causing?

Dependency-causing drugs include potent chemicals that change your brain. Some are hazardous enough to be prohibited by law. Others are authorized prescription drugs but can become unsafe when misused or consumed in excess. Below are several of the most common addictive drugs in the US:

• Narcotics dull the senses, which enables them to be effective painkillers. Even so, people also take them to minimize other uncomfortable feelings and can become dependent rapidly. Narcotics are often classified as opiates or opioids. Opiates are naturally derived drugs. Opioids are manufactured. Heroin is a well-known unlawful narcotic. Legal drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, fentanyl, and morphine have pharmaceutical uses but are dependency-causing and often used improperly.


• Benzodiazepines are mood-altering drugs often recommended for psychological disorders. But, they can become addictive when not used appropriately. Their tranquilizing qualities cause you to feel relaxed. Valium and Xanax are well-known benzos.


• Stimulants consist of prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall, as well as illegal drugs like meth and cocaine. They stimulate your central nervous system, leaving you feeling focused, exhilarated, and invigorated. Overdosing of stimulants can be life-threatening.

Each of these sorts of drugs can lead to a drug use disorder. They all have the ability to derail your life and trigger life-threatening medical conditions. Find assistance for yourself or someone close to you at the first indication of dependency.

How Does Drug Addiction Start?

There are various reasons why people turn to dependency-causing drugs. Many do so recreationally because they enjoy the sensations those chemicals create. Different individuals get addicted to medications they're taking for medical purposes. Many people begin using drugs to self-treat unmanaged mental illnesses and find brief relief.

Regardless of the primary factor for first using these substances, the progression to addiction is typically the same. Your body becomes dependent on the drug, and you become sick when you don't consume it. You ingest more just to operate. You may slowly need higher doses for the drug to be effective. You like how its effect feels. You feel miserable without it and persist in using it. Over time, those chemicals dominate the pleasure center of your brain, and you cannot experience pleasure unless that drug is in your system.

When you're addicted, obtaining a steady supply of the drug is the only thing that matters. Multiple people destroy relationships, experience illness, forfeit jobs, and take significant risks becasue of drug addiction. Your addiction dominates you and everything in your life, and you are helpless to quit without specialized assistance.

What Are Some Signals Of Drug Addiction?

You might assume that a drug use disorder would be clear. But, these disorders can manifest differently among individuals, and those you care about will commonly try to conceal their drug use from family members. If you aren't sure if you or a relative have a drug use disorder, reflect on these signs:

• Experiencing an uncontrollable urge to consume the drug


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


• Allocating much energy and time obtaining the drug, ingesting it, or coming down from its effects


• Using a prescription for longer timeframes or in larger amounts than ordered


• Having difficulty handling responsibilities due to drug use


• Giving up once-liked activities to take drugs


• Continual use of the drug even though it damages relationships


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


• Requiring more of the substance to experience its effects


• Enduring withdrawal when trying to stop


• Engaging in risky behavior to obtain or use the drug

Drug use disorders can look different between people. If you or someone you love are showing any signs of drug addiction near Middlesex, speak with a doctor or addiction treatment professional.

Where To Obtain Drug Addiction Treatment In Middlesex

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-tier process. Many people will slip up and have to return to certain steps more than once. You may never be “cured” of drug use disorder, but numerous individuals find recovery and apply what they discuss during treatment to maintain a healthy, drug-free life. The solution is finding skilled, evidence-based treatment that matches your needs.

Everybody’s recovery journey will be unique. Even so, treatment generally consists of the these steps at authorized treatment facilities:

• Drug detox is the way to let your body rid itself of substances. Your body will do this naturally as long as you don’t take more drugs. Unfortunately, if you have a drug dependency, you will go into withdrawal without using. To complete detox in a safe fashion, you should enter an inpatient detox facility that provides round-the-clock medical supervision and keeps you as comfortable as possible.


• Drug rehab programs also provide inpatient support. In rehab, you’ll still live at a treatment center and enjoy access to clinical support for any ongoing withdrawal symptoms. You participate in different kinds of psychotherapy each day with the purpose of comprehending your addiction, learning new healthy habits, and managing any existing mental disorders. You should continue in rehab until you become physically and mentally ready to depart that substance-free environment.


• Once you finish rehab, you should still receive intensive addiction support. Outpatient addiction and mental health services will help you navigate your life without harmful substances. These programs offer regular counseling sessions and medication management. To start, you may go to outpatient support daily and head home every evening. Over time, you won’t need as much care and may only attend therapy once a week or less.

Every person deserves specialized, caring addiction treatment. No matter how advanced your addiction might be, recovery is possible. Seeking appropriate treatment at a licensed treatment center is essential for your success. You don’t have to face addiction on your own. You will find multiple possibilities for drug addiction treatment near Middlesex.

How Can Families Help A Loved One Battling Drug Addiction Near Middlesex?

Individuals with a drug use disorder need all the assistance they can get. Family and friends can be essential to addiction recovery. If you love a person with a drug use disorder, here are many ways you can assist them:

• Help them get into a treatment facility


• Help them pay for treatment


• Go to family counseling with them


• Participate in aftercare planning


• Offer a safe, sober environment to live in


• Don’t pass judgment


• Set boundaries around their substance use


• Provide transportation to outpatient treatment appointments

Find Help For Drug Use Disorders Near Middlesex Today

No one should try to handle drug use disorders on their own. If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction, there is hope. Reach out to The Counseling Center at Middlesex at 732-629-9510 or fill out the contact form on this page. Someone will answer you right away to discuss treatment. All calls are free and secure. We respond at all hours, all year round. Get help today. We are ready for you.