What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

No person ever foresees battling a drug use disorder, but this serious disease impacts millions of Americans each year. Drug use disorders transform your brain and body and can ruin your life. Fortunately, there is support for individuals battling drug use. Expert drug addiction treatment is available in the West Caldwell area and can empower you to take back control of your life. Continue reading to learn more about drug use disorders and addiction and how people and their loved ones can conquer these conditions with professional support.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

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

Commonly, drug use develops into a disorder when an individual shows troubling patterns of use and loses control of their use. Drug use disorders are mental illnesses that range from mild to severe. These disorders disrupt your life and negatively affect your health.

There are distinct facets of drug use disorders:

• Dependence occurs when your system becomes so used to a drug that it struggles to operate when it’s not present. You will suffer unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you quit using the drug.


• Addiction is a mental dependency. Dependency-causing drugs alter your brain chemistry so that you constantly want those drugs and feel urged to take them in growing amounts. You are unable to manage your mental state and actions. Addiction is the most extreme element of drug use disorders.

All degrees of drug use disorder are hurtful to your body, mind, relationships, and quality of life. If you think you or a person you care about has a drug use disorder, seek competent support for recovery. All individuals are entitled to help.

What Drugs Are Addictive?

Habit-forming drugs include powerful chemicals that modify your brain. Many 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 United States:

• Narcotics diminish the senses, which enables them to be powerful pain relievers. But, individuals also use them to minimize other uncomfortable feelings and can become addicted quickly. Narcotics can be grouped as opiates or opioids. Opiates are nature-based drugs. Opioids are lab-created. Heroin is a well-known illegal narcotic. Legal substances like OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, fentanyl, and morphine have therapeutic uses but are addictive and frequently abused.


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


• Stimulants encompass prescription drugs like Adderall and Ritalin, as well as prohibited drugs like meth and cocaine. They energize your central nervous system, leaving you feeling alert, euphoric, and animated. Taking too much of stimulants can be life-threatening.

Each of these types of drugs can lead to a drug use disorder. They all carry the ability to disrupt your life and trigger life-endangering medical conditions. Find support for yourself or someone close to you at the earliest indication of dependence.

How Does Drug Addiction Occur?

There are various reasons why people turn to dependency-causing drugs. Many do so recreationally because they enjoy the feelings those chemicals create. Some people develop dependency with prescriptions they're taking for medical reasons. Another group of people start using drugs to self-treat untreated mental illnesses and find short-term respite.

Regardless of the primary factor for first using these substances, the path to addiction is usually the same. Your body starts to be dependent on the drug, and you get ill when you don't use it. You ingest more just to operate. You might gradually require larger amounts for the drug to have an impact. You enjoy how it makes you feel. You feel distressed without it and persist in using it. Eventually, those chemicals overtake the pleasure circuits of your brain, and you are unable to experience pleasure unless that drug is present.

Once you're addicted, obtaining a consistent supply of the drug is the only thing that matters. Many people damage relationships, suffer health problems, give up jobs, and take great risks as a result of drug addiction. Your addiction controls you and every part of your life, and you are powerless to recover without skilled help.

What Are Indications Of Drug Addiction?

It may appear a drug use disorder would be obvious. However, these disorders can appear differently among individuals, and those you care about will often try to hide their drug use from you. If you aren't sure if you or a friend have a drug use disorder, consider these indicators:

• Experiencing an overwhelming urge to consume the drug


• Unsuccessful attempts to cut back on or quit using the drug


• Allocating a great deal of time and energy obtaining the drug, ingesting it, or coming down from its effects


• Using a prescribed drug for longer periods or in larger amounts than ordered


• Having difficulty meeting commitments due to drug use


• Giving up favorite pastimes to take drugs


• Continuing to use the drug even though it affects relationships


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


• Having to take more of the drug to attain its effects


• Going through withdrawal when attempting to quit


• Taking risks to acquire or use the drug

Drug use disorders can look different between people. If you or a loved one are exhibiting any signals of drug addiction near West Caldwell, speak with a doctor or addiction treatment specialist.

Where To Find Drug Addiction Treatment In West Caldwell

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-tier process. The majority of individuals will experience setbacks and need to return to certain steps many times. You won’t be “cured” of drug use disorder, but many people enter recovery and use what they discuss during treatment to maintain a rewarding, drug-free life. The answer is getting expert, reseach-supported treatment that aligns with your needs.

Each person’s recovery journey will be unique. However, treatment generally consists of the these steps at authorized treatment facilities:

• Drug detox is the way to let your body cleanse itself of drugs. Your body will do this naturally if you abstain from taking more drugs. Unfortunately, if you have a dependence, your body will encounter withdrawal without substances. To safely complete detox, you should enter an inpatient detox treatment center that provides 24-hour medical supervision and takes steps to keep you comfortable.


• Drug rehab programs also give you inpatient treatment. In rehab, you’ll keep living at a treatment facility and have access to clinical support for any persistent withdrawal symptoms. You participate in different types of psychotherapy each day with the aim of understanding your addiction, cultivating new beneficial habits, and treating any underlying mental disorders. You should stay in rehab until you feel mentally and physically ready to depart that drug-free environment.


• When you leave rehab, you should still get intensive addiction care. Outpatient addiction and mental health care will help you navigate your life without harmful substances. These programs give you continuing therapy and medication management. To start, you could attend outpatient care every day and go home each night. Over time, you’ll need less therapy and could only go to therapy once a week or less.

Every person is entitled to expert, compassionate addiction treatment. No matter how severe your addiction might be, there is hope. Seeking professional therapy at an accredited treatment facility is critical to reach your goals. There’s no need to fight addiction on your own. You will find multiple choices for drug addiction treatment near West Caldwell.

How Can Families Assist A Loved One Grappling With Drug Addiction Near West Caldwell?

Those with a drug use disorder need all the support they can find. Friends and family can play critical roles in addiction recovery. If you are close to an individual with a drug use disorder, here are several ways you may assist them:

• Help them get into a treatment center


• Help them cover the cost of treatment


• Participate in family counseling with them


• Play an active role in aftercare planning


• Provide a safe, sober environment to live


• Don’t pass judgment


• Set boundaries around their drug use


• Help them get to outpatient treatment appointments

Find Help For Drug Use Disorders Near West Caldwell Today

No one should face drug use disorders alone. If you or a person you care about are struggling with drug addiction, there is hope for recovery. Turn to The Counseling Center at West Caldwell at 973-453-0808 or fill out our contact form below. Someone will reply right away to discuss treatment. Every call is free and private. We answer 24-hours a day, all year round. Get help now. We are ready for you.