Drug Addiction Treatment in Florida

The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 57.2 million people in the United States, or 20.8% of the population aged 12 and older, had used illicit and/or prescription drugs. Almost half of the people, 20.4 million, met the clinical criteria for an alcohol use disorder, and 2.4 million people met the criteria for both.

Long-term substance abuse can damage vital organs, raise the risk of infectious diseases, and often co-occur with depression and anxiety. Many people who have a substance use disorder (SUD) also struggle with a mental health condition. Of the 51.5 million Americans living with mental health conditions, 9.5 million also struggle with a substance use disorder.

For some people, drug addiction begins with experimentation. For others, it starts with using prescribed medication from health care providers. But this isn’t the only reason people may try addictive substances. Some common reasons for drug use include:

• Euphoria or other positive feelings associated with a particular drug
• Improved mood or relieving stress
• Improved performance
• Peer pressure to experiment
• Self-medicating symptoms of a mental health condition

Addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, social class, bank account, or background. Drugs work directly on a person’s brain and body. It’s not weakness or poor morals that give someone intense urges to use drugs, but their body’s cravings. The person’s body and brain have adjusted to the presence of the drug, and so they have a natural desire to get something their body perceives as essential for functioning.

Currently, there is no test you can take that will tell you before using drugs whether you may or may not become addicted. There are, however, common risk factors that fall into several categories, including genetics or biology accounting for forty to sixty percent of risk, environment such as family, peers, and economic status, and the emerging field of epigenetics. Addiction can disrupt both brain chemistry and social stability.

Biology

DNA is the genetic code that is passed from parent to child. If your parents struggled with alcohol or substance use, genetics can increase a person’s risk and place you at greater risk of developing addiction or a substance use disorder.

Environment

The environment is the people, places, and things in your life that you grew up with or are currently around. Growing up in an environment where drug use is common is a risk factor for developing a substance use disorder. Other impactful factors include parental supervision and involvement, childhood trauma, mental health conditions that run throughout the person’s family, and availability of drugs.

Family and friends may be the first to notice changes in behavior and physical appearance, which can be signs of drug use. Many people are pushed to get treatment for addiction because of concerns voiced by important people in their lives.

Signs of drug use or intoxication can vary by substance, including opioids, stimulants, and hallucinogens. These can include:

• Personality changes, including mood swings
• Bloodshot eyes
• Pinpoint pupils
• Changes in routine
• A decrease in self-care, such as less frequent bathing
• Financial problems
• Dramatic physical changes, such as dramatic weight loss
• Interpersonal problems, such as issues with family or friends
• Being fired or quitting a job
• Track marks (signs of injections) on arms, between toes, and more discrete locations
• Legal troubles
• Lying about how much they’ve consumed
• Spending time with a circle of friends who also use drugs

Tolerance and dependence are physical aspects of drug use. Having one or the other does not necessarily mean you have a substance use disorder. But it can be a significant warming sign.

Tolerance

Tolerance develops when the body has adjusted to the presence of the drug. The person needs a higher dose and/or more frequent drug use to feel the same effects as when they first began using.

Dependence

Dependence can be a physical symptom of drug use. The drugs have impacted the body so much that stopping drug use causes intense physical and mental symptoms. Medical detox may be required to ensure that the person can stop using drugs safely, without temptation to relapse into drug use purely to relieve these symptoms.

Many drugs cause physical withdrawal symptoms when the person taking them suddenly ceases use. These symptoms can be life-threatening and may include seizures, erratic heart rate, and blood pressure changes. This is especially a risk for alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawals.

Drugs that can cause withdrawal include:

Alcohol

• Restlessness
• Shaking and tremors
• Insomnia
• Trouble concentrating
• Seizures, potentially life-threatening
• Delirium (can include hallucinations and disorientation)

Opioids/Opiates

• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Fast pulse (tachycardia)
• Fevers
• High blood pressure

Benzodiazepines

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Agitation and irritability
• Poor concentration and memory
• Muscle tension and aches
• Seizures (can be life-threatening)
• Delirium
• Hallucinations
• Disorientation

Stimulants

• Depression
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Paranoia
• Cravings
• Poor concentration

Substance use and co-occurring disorders can be successfully treated. Research that tracked individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders showed that people were likely to stop their drug use, improve their relationships with family and friends, and experience an overall improvement in their mental health.

The most effective treatment programs are grounded in evidence-based practices. They also provide treatment for co-occurring disorders and adapt your treatment plan as the person’s needs change. If the person has a mental health condition, formal treatment includes dual-diagnosis treatment to address the condition at the same time. This can make a big difference for those who use alcohol, opioids, or other drugs to cope with the symptoms of a mental health condition. Learning how to manage anxiety, negative feelings, or trauma-based nightmares without addictive drugs can give many people a new lease on life.

It should be noticed that addiction doesn’t look the same for everyone. Substances like cannabis carry risks of psychological addiction even if the person’s body doesn’t become dependent on its presence. Many people don’t feel they can become addicted to a substance they only use occasionally (such as molly and other club drugs). They may misuse alcohol out of a belief that it’s less dangerous or addictive than illegal drugs. But drug taking can have negative effects on anyone, and it’s important to speak up when you’re concerned about someone’s drug use, even if nothing bad has happened yet.

No one wants to see a loved one struggle with a substance use disorder or drug abuse. You may feel helpless and angry, and addiction is often called a family disease because it disrupts the whole household and can take an emotional and physical toll on relatives. Sadly, many people who are addicted to drugs don’t realize the harm they are causing themselves and others.

While they need to decide to get help, you can talk to them to let them know you are worried. When you talk to a loved one, speak to them privately. It’s helpful to do this when they are not high or feeling withdrawals. Since you are talking about how you feel, try to use “I” statements about how their drug use impacts you. Your loved one may not know how you are feeling. Hearing about how their use affects you may be what they need to hear to seek help.

If you are seeking help for a loved one, contact us today. Our admissions representatives can talk to you any time. Many on our team are in recovery themselves. They are compassionate, understanding, will answer your questions, and can verify insurance. We are here for you and your loved one 24/7, and your call is always confidential.