What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

No person ever expects to battle a drug use disorder, but this challenging disease affects millions of Americans every year. Drug use disorders alter your brain and body and can ruin your life. Fortunately, there is support for anyone dealing with drug use. Professional drug addiction treatment is offered in the Toms River area and can enable you to take back control of your life. Keep reading to find out more about drug use disorders and addiction and how individuals and families can conquer these conditions with expert guidance.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

Numerous people consume illicit drugs for recreational purposes or strong prescription drugs to treat medical conditions. But at what point does drug use transform into a life-changing disorder?

Generally, drug use develops into a disorder when an individual exhibits troubling patterns of use and can no longer control their use. Drug use disorders are mental health conditions that span from mild to severe. These conditions unsettle your life and adversely impact your health.

There are differing facets of drug use disorders:

• Dependence occurs when your body becomes so used to a drug that it struggles to function without it. You will experience distressing withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug.


• Addiction is a psychological dependence. Dependency-causing drugs modify your brain chemistry so that you persistently want those drugs and feel compelled to take them more and more. You are unable to manage your thoughts and actions. Addiction is the most extreme element of drug use disorders.

All levels of drug use disorder are damaging to your relationships, mind, body, and wellbeing. If you think you or a person you love has a drug use disorder, seek skilled care for recovery. Everyone deserves help.

What Drugs Are Dependency-causing?

Habit-forming drugs possess strong chemicals that modify your brain. Some are dangerous enough to be prohibited by law. Others are approved medicines but can become hazardous when misused or consumed too frequently. Below are some of the most common addictive drugs in the United States:

• Narcotics dull the senses, which causes them to be potent analgesics. However, people also take them to decrease other unwanted feelings and can get addicted rapidly. Narcotics are often categorized as opiates or opioids. Opiates are naturally derived substances. Opioids are manufactured. Heroin is a widespread illegal narcotic. Legal narcotics like Percocet, OxyContin, Vicodin, morphine, and fentanyl have pharmaceutical uses but are habit-forming and often abused.


• Benzodiazepines are mood-changing drugs typically recommended for mental disorders. Even so, they can become addictive when not managed correctly. Their sedative qualities make you feel relaxed. Xanax and Klonopin are familiar benzos.


• Stimulants consist of medications like Ritalin and Adderall, as well as illegal drugs like methamphetamines and cocaine. They activate your central nervous system, causing you to become energized, focused, and exhilarated. Taking too much of stimulants can be life-threatening.

Each of these types of drugs can develop into a drug use disorder. They all have the ability to derail your life and cause life-endangering medical conditions. Find support for yourself or a person you care about at the first signal of dependence.

How Does Drug Addiction Begin?

There are numerous reasons why people start using addictive drugs. Many do so for pleasure because they relish in the feelings those chemicals create. Others become dependent on medications they're using for medical reasons. Many people start using drugs to self-medicate untreated mental illnesses and find short-term respite.

Regardless of the motivation for first using these substances, the progression to addiction is generally the same. Your body grows a dependency to the drug, and you feel sick when you don't use it. You ingest more just to function. You might progressively require larger amounts for the drug to be effective. You like how its impact feels. You feel miserable without it and persist in using it. Over time, those chemicals overtake the pleasure circuits of your brain, and you are unable to feel normal unless that drug is present.

When you're addicted, finding a reliable supply of the drug becomes all that matters. Many people suffer medical issues, destroy relationships, lose jobs, and take serious risks due to drug addiction. Your addiction controls you and all aspects of your life, and you are powerless to recover without skilled assistance.

What Are Signs Of Drug Addiction?

You might think that a drug use disorder would be apparent. But, these disorders can appear differently among individuals, and loved ones will often try to hide their drug use from you. If you are uncertain if you or a friend have a drug use disorder, consider the following signs:

• Having an irresistible urge to consume the drug


• Failed attempts to slow down on or stop using the drug


• Allocating a great deal of time acquiring the drug, using it, or coming down from its effects


• Taking a prescribed drug for longer timeframes or in higher amounts than prescribed


• Having difficulty fulfilling obligations due to drug use


• Giving up favorite pastimes to consume drugs


• Persistent use of the drug even though it harms relationships


• Continuing to use 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 attempting to quit


• Putting yourself at risk to get or use the drug

Drug use disorders often look different among people. If you or someone you love are displaying any signals of drug addiction near Toms River, speak with a local doctor or addiction treatment expert.

Where To Obtain Drug Addiction Treatment In Toms River

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-step process. Most people will slip up and need to return to certain steps more than once. While there may not be a “cure” for drug use disorder, countless individuals find recovery and implement what they discuss during treatment to build a rewarding, sober life. The key is getting specialized, reseach-supported treatment that matches your needs.

Every person’s recovery journey will be distinct. But, treatment typically includes the these steps at authorized treatment facilities:

• Drug detox is the way to let your body cleanse itself of substances. Your body will do this automatically as long as you don’t take more drugs. However, if you have a drug dependency, you will encounter withdrawal without using. To safely complete detox, you should go to an inpatient detox center that offers 24-hour medical guidance and takes steps to keep you comfortable.


• Drug rehab programs also provide inpatient treatment. In rehab, you’ll still live at a treatment facility and have access to specialized healthcare for any persistent withdrawal symptoms. You go to different sorts of counseling sessions each day with the purpose of understanding your addiction, cultivating new healthy habits, and addressing any co-occurring mental disorders. You should stay in rehab until you feel mentally and physically strong enough to depart that sober environment.


• When you depart rehab, you should continue to receive expert addiction care. Outpatient addiction and mental health care will help you live your life without drugs. These programs provide continuing therapy and medication management. To start, you may participate in outpatient treatment every day and head home every evening. Eventually, you’ll require less therapy and may only go to therapy weekly or less.

Everyone has a right to specialized, supportive addiction treatment. No matter how advanced your addiction might be, recovery is possible. Pursuing appropriate treatment at a licensed treatment center is essential for your future. You don’t have to fight addiction by yourself. You will find numerous possibilities for drug addiction treatment near Toms River.

How Can Families Assist A Loved One Grappling With Drug Addiction Near Toms River?

People with a drug use disorder need all the help they can find. Family members and friends can be important for addiction recovery. If you are close to someone with a drug use disorder, here are many ways you can help them:

• Help them check into a treatment program


• Help them cover the cost of treatment


• Attend family counseling with them


• Take part in aftercare planning


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


• Withhold judgment


• Set ground rules around their substance use


• Provide transportation to outpatient treatment appointments

Find Help For Drug Use Disorders Near Toms River Today

No one should confront drug use disorders by themselves. If you or a family member are struggling with drug addiction, there is hope. Turn to The Counseling Center At Toms River, NJ at 732-605-6364 or fill out the contact form on this page. One of our team members will respond right away to discuss treatment. All communications are free and secure. We respond at all hours, every day of the year. Help is available now. We are ready for you.