Alas, we cannot limit the definition of addiction with our stereotypical understanding of it. There is no thumb rule for identifying drug addicts. With every new case, there could be an unexplored symptom and our understanding of drug and alcohol addiction will get blurred in the smoke of the toxics.
Nevertheless, tracing patterns from diverse cases of alcohol addiction and substance use, numerous drug rehabilitation centres in India have devised custom plans for understanding drug and alcohol addictions and thereby treating them.
But are you sceptical for a family member/ friend to be an addict? To clarify your doubts here are some quick tips about Drug Addiction you probably must have overlooked.
Addiction can be precisely described as an uncontrollable, compulsive craving, seeking, and use of substance, even in the existence of known health and social consequences. It could be called a brain disease that can be identified and is recovered from, by using scientific understanding (both biological and psychological)
Interestingly, humans instinctively categorize drugs and alcohol addictions in a single spectrum. Or for that matter, we assume that all types of drugs including alcohol follow the same rules for abuse identification. However, it is not so. Therefore, one must seek professional help for regulated treatment according to the individual case.
Another misconception relating to a drug is the belief that occasional or prescriptive use of drugs and alcohol might not lead to an addiction. Prominently, it is only after binge drinking or continued dependence on drugs that one grows into an addict. But it is the very first dose that eventually turns into a habit. Also, drugs like Heroin starts building dependence right from the first injection.
Once this habit is built, consequently a tolerance is produced in the body. The feeling of “high” which could be attained by a single dose of the drug before addiction changes to multiple doses. Augmented consumption becomes a requirement for the desired “heightened” emotions.
Here, another peculiarity is generally missed. Tolerance is a subjective concept. This means that the levels that define addiction for both the genders in different age groups are different as well. Women develop addiction at lower levels of consumptions compared to men. However, women are just as likely as men to develop a substance use disorder, the symptoms and treatment plans may greatly differ for both.
We also need to look at where the individual case is coming from. Ask questions about history of the environment one has been brought up in, oppressions that one was prone to and past health issues which inculcated prescriptive drugs as routine.
What remains ignored is the genetic nature of this health hazard. There is a genetic component to drug addiction. Studies have found that persons with at least one close relative with an addiction problem are at higher risk of developing a drug addiction themselves.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance. Besides, social drinking and smoking could not necessarily be addiction but a stress management technique. We must now look at some common symptoms for determining the difference.
- Red eyes, dilated pupils, sniffling, itching, injection marks, puffy face, unusual skin color are evident for corporeal proofs. Loss of appetite and weight gain/loss is noticed. Teeth, hair, and skin expose the bizarre changes taking place in the physical body
- Conflicting energy levels could be recorded. Extremely aggressive energetic levels or stunted and lazy energies can be observed
- Whist isolated behavior; addicts seem to develop a slurry speech with repetitive and rapid utterances
- Emotional imbalances, mood swings, frustration, lack of interest in routine life
- Memory loss, confused understanding, disorientation, and paranoia
It is only when someone has hit the rock bottom that they feel the need to seek rehab. But it is always better to save ourselves from reaching the extreme to make our cases worse. It is about time we break deadly myths related to rehabilitation.
Before you lose it all, be an early bird. Visit Sunshine Wellness centre, one of the prominent drug rehabilitation centres in Mumbai for more insights into drug addiction and for a tailored plan for treating drug and alcohol addiction.