Addiction Treatment

Marijuana – a mind altering, psychoactive drug – is one of the most used drugs in the United States. Though some people do not believe that marijuana is addictive, the American Psychological Association considers marijuana addiction to be a real condition, and a percentage of people who use marijuana do become addicted to the drug. People who use the drug heavily for an extended period of time, or individuals who use marijuana and find themselves having to take more of the drug in order to achieve the same effects, are potentially addicted. Additionally, some people use other drugs in order to intensify the side effects of marijuana or produce a longer lasting “high.” This combination of drugs can amplify an individual’s addiction.

Though marijuana is not known for its addictive qualities, people who are dependent on the drug find that they need to continue taking it in order to function normally. This is partially due to the major chemical components in marijuana, which produce relaxed sensations that some users find addicting. Also, users can experience various withdrawal symptoms after they suddenly stop taking the drug. These symptoms include (but are not limited to) insomnia, anxiety, nausea, and irritability. Though the withdrawal symptoms of marijuana are less extreme than the symptoms of other types of drugs, they can be uncomfortable and last up to a week.

Treatment for marijuana addiction is important, and the causes of the addiction should be treated as seriously as those of other addictions. Treatment for marijuana addiction is usually performed in an outpatient program, and users can successfully undergo the detoxification process without medical supervision. However, if the addict is using other substances in addition to marijuana, inpatient treatment or physician assistance is usually more beneficial. In each type of treatment program, the main goal is to address the underlying causes of the addiction. After treatment has completed, it is important that the recovering addict remain consistent with the program and avoid people that may encourage drug use.

Detoxification (or “detox”) for fentanyl becomes necessary when an individual is addicted to the drug. Fentanyl is an opiate used as an analgesic to treat pain; the drug is almost 100 times more potent than morphine, and it is highly addictive – both mentally and physically. Though fentanyl is often prescribed to patients with legitimate chronic pain and is used prior to performing medical procedures, its highly addictive properties make it difficult for individuals to stop using the drug. In fact, fentanyl is more addictive than heroin because its effects last for a shorter period of time. Fentanyl derivatives that are procured unlawfully tend to be extremely potent – even more so than the drug used for medicinal purposes – and the risk of overdose in individuals taking the drug is relatively high.

Fentanyl is also dangerous because it causes severe side effects that include respiratory depression. Because the median lethal dose in humans is unknown, there is a greater risk of respiratory failure and death. Other side effects of the drug include anxiety, headaches, depression, and fatigue. In an addict, these symptoms persist or worsen in the form of withdrawal symptoms when s/he stops taking the drug. Fentanyl addicts are not only physically dependent on the drug, but they also develop a mental dependency on the drug. The physical dependence worsens the addiction, as the body’s system relies on the drug in order to maintain a state of normalcy; thus, the individual is pushed to not only continue taking the drug, but also to take higher doses of fentanyl in order to achieve the desired effects.

The intensity of this type of addiction makes the detoxification process more complex. Usually, fentanyl addicts undergo the detox process and treatment under medical supervision. Because detoxification involves removing the drug from a person’s system, it can be painful and potentially life threatening. The temptation to use the drug in order to avoid the side effects of detox can be incredibly strong, which is why physician assistance is recommended. The detoxification process for fentanyl can involve medication that lessens the withdrawal symptoms. After detox, the addict proceeds with additional treatment in order to fully recover from the mental addiction.

Interventions are held for individuals suffering from an addiction who do not believe that they have a problem or cannot face the addiction on their own. Oftentimes, interventions are a last resort: the addict has refused to get treatment, and all other options for addressing the addiction have been exhausted. Although there can be interventions for gambling, eating disorders, and other compulsive disorders, the majority of interventions are held for drug addiction or alcoholism. Due to the severity of most drug and alcohol addictions, holding interventions can mean the difference between life and death for the person suffering from the addiction.

Drug interventions can be led by professional interventionists, therapists, or family members and friends. Professional interventions are hosted by individuals who have had experience working with addicts – many of these interventionists are licensed therapists, counselors, or even physicians. There are several benefits of utilizing a professional interventionist: they have worked with addicts before; they provide an objective, third-party viewpoint; and they can act as a guide during the process. Though family members and friends are still key elements in professional drug interventions, they may not know how to approach the addict or how to manage situations that may arise.

Having a support system is an integral part of the treatment process, especially because the support of family and friends extends well beyond the intervention. It is important that the family and friends of the addict not only help him or her, but that they also educate themselves on the addiction so that they truly understand how to help and be involved in the addict’s treatment.

There are some warning signs that can help identify an individual who has a drug or alcohol addiction, including isolation, denial, personality changes, excessive alcohol or drug use, and medical problems. If someone is displaying some or all of these signs, s/he may have an addiction to drugs or alcohol that requires an intervention. A drug intervention, though it can be an immensely beneficial tool in helping someone with an addiction, is just the first step in the treatment process. However, it is one of the most important steps because it shows the addict that s/he has a real problem that needs to be addressed.

There are many different types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating, body image issues, and compulsive overeating. While each of these eating disorders has different causes and symptoms, they can all be potentially life threatening if they remain untreated. For example, individuals suffering from anorexia can become malnourished, which can affect every system in the body, and, if left untreated, may cause death.

It is relatively common for some individuals to progress through different types of eating disorders, or undergo multiple eating disorders simultaneously. This makes treating the cause(s) behind the eating disorder – as opposed to only addressing someone’s physical actions – critical to full recovery. Treatment to help individuals overcome eating disorders is similar to that of treating an alcoholic or a drug addict: people with eating disorders are essentially “addicted” to food or overly obsessed with their body image. Their mindset is similar to an addict’s as well because they channel mental or emotional problems through their eating disorders, just as some addicts attempt to control psychological issues by abusing drugs or alcohol.

Once the root cause of the disorder has been identified, treatment for the eating disorder can progress to addressing the cause and becoming healthy again. Overcoming eating disorders can be extremely difficult, as individuals participate in the disorder to the point where it becomes ritualistic. Breaking the pattern of overeating or compulsively counting calories can present various challenges.

When attempting to overcome an eating disorder, therapists or counselors can provide valuable, objective advice. Because it is common for individuals to return to the pattern of the disorder after overcoming it, treatment is an ongoing process that requires the individual to truly be aware of the causes and triggers of his or her behavior. The support of family and friends is also helpful when trying to overcome eating disorders; a support system can help keep the person on track with his or her recovery program.

Opiates (or opioids) are extracted from opium seeds or created in laboratories, and these types of drugs are usually prescribed by physicians to treat pain. Among other drugs, hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), and heroin can all be derived from opium poppy. Opiates act like endorphins in the brain; in fact, they eventually cause the body to stop producing endorphins, as they mimic the nerve cells that manufacture those types of chemicals. This results in a physical dependency on the opiates, thus potentially creating a cycle of addiction in the user. Though not all individuals who use opiates on a regular basis are addicts, the body does become dependent on the drug, and the user will experience withdrawal symptoms when s/he stops taking the drug.

The first step of most opiate treatment programs is detoxification (or “detox”). The goal of detoxification is to purge the addict’s body of the drug while controlling the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Medical supervision during this stage of the treatment program is often recommended, as addicts may find it difficult to continue with the detox process when the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms increases.

After the addict is stable and no longer physically dependent on the drug, treatment continues in order to resolve the psychological aspects of the addiction. Because opiates act as replacements for endorphins, the user may experience depression or anxiety even after the drugs have left the body’s system. The goal of treatment programs is to identify and address the underlying causes of the addiction to lessen the risk of relapse. Addicts may be successful during treatment but be unable to continue the program on their own. Thus, finding a treatment program that specifically suits the addict’s needs and lifestyle is important, as the addict will be more likely to continue with treatment if it is something that they feel is manageable and reliable. For example, a teen addict may have more success with an adventure treatment program, while an older adult may find that faith-based programs help combat the addiction. Opiate treatment programs such as these exist in numerous locations across the nation.