2024 Author: Brian Parson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:02
Addiction Also known as anesthesia, it is a state of mental or a combination of mental and physical dependence on a certain type of substance that has an effect on the central nervous system, as a result of which dependence on its intake is developed.
From a medical point of view drug addiction is defined as a chronic recurrent disease in which molecular and neurochemical changes occur in the brain. Below the term addiction, which is sometimes used as a synonym for drug addiction, rather, it should be understood as habituation to a certain state or behavior.
There are dependencies on several groups of substances - psychostimulants / amphetamines, ecstasy /; opiates (heroin, morphine, etc.); cocaine; alcohol / brandy, whiskey, vodka, beer /; barbiturates; some drugs; hallucinogenic drugs / hashish, marijuana /, hallucinogenic mushrooms, LSD, etc.
Drug use leads to disease dependence of the body. After regular use of narcotics, the addict's psyche becomes very unstable, which makes him look for ways to satisfy his drug thirst with another dose. At this stage, tolerance to the body's adaptation to the specified drug dose is manifested. That is why the drug user gradually switches to increasing the initial doses or to the use of stronger drugs.
Symptoms of drug addiction
The symptoms of drug addiction they have a lot in common. Outside of drug use, people are severely depressed and irritable, unable to work and sometimes anxious. Particularly dangerous is the occurrence of a depressive-reactive state, which can lead to suicide.
At the core of each one drug addiction there is a strong need that becomes uncontrollable. The person wants to change his mood, to calm down and relax, to remove the pain, to get drunk or to get slightly intoxicated. It is an escape from reality that makes people involuntary, antisocial and incapacitated.
After the effect of the drug passes, anxiety, sweating, tearing of clothes, incapacity for work and a number of other disease manifestations appear.
Some of the signs that a person may be addicted to drugs are: unusual and unpredictable changes in habits and mood; depressive, sleepy or euphoric behavior; completely inexplicable loss of interest in friends, school, relatives, work, favorite pastimes; inappropriate and even aggressive behavior for no reason; very often the addict starts stealing to secure his next dose.
Diagnosis of drug addiction
Early diagnosis and timely treatment are key points for a good outcome. Blood tests as well as characteristic symptoms are sufficient. Relatives notice drastic changes in the behavior of their relative, abrupt changes in mood, disability and lifestyle changes.
Addiction treatment
Before starting any treatment, the patient must first realize the need for spiritual and moral support from relatives and friends. Drug addicts should not be isolated from society. On the contrary, they should be among their relatives, but they should avoid places where drugs are distributed.
The desire of these patients to keep the use of narcotics a secret is explained by the fear of contempt and public accusation. If a drug addict is not helped in time, a vicious circle is created - an increase in the desire for drugs, which leads to severe injuries and ultimately the outcome can be fatal.
There are different methods of treating drug addiction. In the United States, for example, the cold turkey method is often used for the fastest treatment. This is a method in which they lock the person in a separate room without any medication until he gets rid of his addiction. This is a quick but drastic method that not everyone can stand. Currently not applied in Bulgaria.
Some doctors use various psychotropic drugs to eliminate abstinence. Others use hypnosis to overcome mental drug addiction.
In the traditional treatment of drug addiction a wide range of specialists are involved. These are therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists and sociologists who are assisted by representatives of education, social services and others.
However, with advanced addiction, especially of the heroin type, complete recovery is achieved in a very small percentage of cases. This is because all the methods used eliminate the symptoms, but not the cause that gives rise to the consequence again - a return to drugs.
Drug treatment is a long and difficult journey, but consistency in therapy and perseverance are key factors for a successful outcome.
The article is informative and does not replace a consultation with a doctor!
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