Drug addiction is a harrowing time for any addict struggling with their disorder. Even if they want to get free from their substance abuse, they’ll need a lot of care and support to do so. Experienced therapists at drug rehab centers can help with the hard work of detox and therapy. However, sufferers also need the unconditional support of their family. That’s why it’s so important for family members to understand the signs of addiction, the complexity of drug abuse, and the common causes.
Signs Of Drug Addiction To Watch Out For
The first thing to consider as a parent or guardian of a suspected addict is the warning signs. The more you know about these signs and the sooner you spot them, the easier it will be. Some users will hide their drug use pretty well. It will seem as though they are taking a prescription as advised with no additional drug use. However, you might start to see changes in their behavior and their relationships with others. If they are excessively stressed about school, work, or health issues, check in with them about their medication plan. They may also become withdrawn and less inclined to partake in their usual hobbies. If you notice an increased use of prescription medication, talk to them about it. They may show signs of dependency on the drug to function. They may also express a wish to stop taking it but an inability to do so.
The hardest part of all this is confronting the situation – both on a personal level and with your loved one. It can be hard to admit that there is a problem with someone you love, but denial isn’t going to help anyone. Come together as a family to talk with them about your concerns, show your love and support, and encourage them into drug rehab. Remember that if they become a danger to themselves and still refuse to go, you can get them sectioned. This court petition ensures they get into a drug rehab in Massachusetts to begin their detox.
The Different Types Of Drug Addiction
It’s also important for families to remember that drug addiction doesn’t necessarily mean illegal drugs. There is an instinctive connection between substance abuse and illicit drugs because of the association between drug rehab and substances like cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. So, some family members may get defensive or in a form of denial when confronted with signs of drug addiction. They don’t want to think of their loved ones getting involved with these drugs and the criminal activity surrounding them. However, these signs could be symptoms of addictions to legal drugs as well.
Painkiller addiction is just as serious and debilitating. It can also affect anyone at any time. Drug addiction largely revolves around a dependency on a substance to keep going and the drive to get more of it. Addicts feel they can’t live without it and will go to great lengths to get their fix. This is just as true with painkiller addiction as it is with substances like heroin and cannabis. Addicts may buy multiple packets of OTC medication from various outlets or steal prescription opioids from family members. Common forms of opioids seen in drug rehab include OxyContin, Codeine, and Vicodin.
Then, there’s also the potential for addiction to other prescription medications. Again, it comes down to sufferers having a dependency on the substance to function and being unable to go without it. Sleeping pills are one such problem. Users who get in the habit of using these sedatives for restful sleep each night may struggle to stop. It’s a similar situation with stimulants and medication that promote productivity. Students can become hooked on ADHD medication like Ritalin and Adderall, with some acquiring it illegally without prescriptions.
The Different Causes Of Drug Abuse
As a parent, partner, or other close relation, you also help your family avoid drug addiction by assisting them to deal with the potential causes. Drug abuse often comes from deeper emotional and psychological situations. Loved ones who pinpoint this root cause and help with a solution may be able to lessen the need to turn to substance abuse. Professional addiction treatment is still advised through extensive detox and outpatient services for drug rehab. Trained staff can go deeper with therapy tools to let patients regain control of their drug addiction. Still, your willingness to help and soften the impact of the initial problem will go a long way.
In the case of painkiller addiction, the cause and effect are more straightforward. Chronic pain from long-term disorders can turn into dependency. Additional factors of guilt and stress over the medical condition could make things worse. With the sleeping pills and ADHD medication, it might be a little more complex. The assumption is that it is down to issues with insomnia or school performance, respectively. That might just be the tip of the iceberg. What else is going on that’s causing sleepless nights or making it hard to study? Generalized anxiety, chronic stress, and depression can all act as catalysts. Students may also experience isolation in their first year away from home.
Other cases of drug abuse can result from deeper issues of trauma, with users taking the drugs as a form of escapism. It becomes a dangerous coping mechanism they aren’t ready to do without. Getting off the drugs would mean having to deal with their bigger issues, and that’s scary. This could be a case of grief following a recent bereavement or PTSD after an accident or other traumatic event.
Stay Strong And Get Your Loved One The Help They Need
There is a lot to think about here. But, even if one piece of advice helps or you recognize any of the signs, it will help. You can be there for loved ones with substance abuse issues from start to end. Help them confront the problem, deal with the causes with them, get them into drug rehab, and support them through the whole journey.