Most people don’t realize that there are many types of drug abuse out there. You can abuse any substance, whether illicit drugs or prescription medication, which leads to addiction. Some addicted to prescription drugs initially acquired the product legally. In fact, they are legal substances, but they can be habit-forming, causing you to consume more than prescribed.
If you take the proper dosage of the medication prescribed to you, there should be no issue of drug addiction, but that’s not always true. Sometimes, people get addicted because they took the meds for too long, leading to a substance use disorder.
For example, you take benzodiazepines to manage your severe anxiety and panic attacks, taking the right daily dosage for a month when you were only supposed to have it for two weeks. It might cause you to develop something called a tolerance of the medication. In fact, those patients then require more of the drug to feel the same effect.
Before they know it, they’re addicted to benzodiazepines.
Abused drugs are often separated into three different types: narcotics, sedatives, and stimulants. The federal government has added strict regulations for prescriptions in those categories.
Once you develop a use disorder and become addicted, it’s just as severe as if you were taking an illicit drug. Crestone Detox Austin – Alcohol & Drug Rehab is here to assist. We help you stop taking the substances and focus on recovery and other ways to deal with stress and issues in your life. Please call us to request help today!
The Types of Drug Abuse
All drugs aren’t created equal, and some are more addictive than their counterparts. The ones abused most, which often lead to a substance use disorder, include:
Heroin
Heroin is a very addictive opioid. It can cause you to experience hallucinations, psychosis, seizures, and more. When injected, it can spread diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
The reason for such serious adverse effects is that heroin interferes with your brain’s receptors. Users become physically dependent on it very quickly. Once you do so, you need more of it to get the same high as when you first started using it. Unfortunately, a fatal overdose could occur if you consume too much.
Heroin is quickly becoming the worst of the illegal drugs on the market. You need appropriate addiction treatment from our center. This often includes a medical detox, medical guidance, and others. We can help you control your withdrawal symptoms, which could become life-threatening. It’s best not to try detoxification on your own for that reason.
Cocaine Abuse
Cocaine is a dangerous stimulant, even if you take it in smaller doses. It produces euphoria, accelerates your heart rate, and increases blood pressure. Some people experience fatal heart failure or strokes because of it.
Substance use shouldn’t be taken lightly, and cocaine is highly addictive. Therefore, you may become willing to sacrifice your job, family, friends, and morals to get more. Cocaine abuse often leads to legal, financial, and physical problems. You’re at a higher risk of having negative effects, so it’s wise to work with our treatment center.
Crack
Crack is one form of cocaine that’s smoked to create an intense but short euphoric sensation. In fact, it’s one of the most commonly abused ways to ingest cocaine and is highly inexpensive to produce and buy. Therefore, abuse rates are extremely high. Those who try it often get addicted after one session.
The short-term physical consequences of a drug use disorder include an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks with each use. Long-term effects include severe lung damage, kidney damage, and liver damage. Since the withdrawal symptoms are severe, it’s crucial to receive professional treatment to sustain long-term recovery.
Hallucinogens
Substance use takes many forms, and many people like hallucinogens, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (PCP). They make people see, feel, and hear things that aren’t necessarily real. When they’re high, people disconnect from the real world and lose touch with reality. Therefore, they think their minds and bodies aren’t working together or connected.
Many people try to use both substances at once and enter into a violent state of psychosis. They might hurt themselves or others in those periods.
Those who repeatedly abuse LSD and PCP might have permanent neurological damage. It’s crucial to get sober from hallucinogens with the help of Crestone.
Amphetamines
Amphetamines help you enhance the ability of your mind and body. However, they can also cause people to have manic periods where they’re significantly distressed. They are often accompanied by delusions, inexplicable behavior, and extreme paranoia.
Generally, long-term use leads to unintentional and violent attacks on your loved ones. You may also see permanent physical changes in your appearance.
Amphetamine use can lead to irreversible brain damage or nerve damage, so it’s best to seek a medical detox from us to stop using the substance.
Marijuana
Typically, the most accessible items are the ones that lead to drug use and abuse more often. While not illegal in many countries, including parts of the United States, some research indicates that using marijuana could lead to an increased risk of trying other drugs. It’s called a gateway drug for that purpose.
While it’s now legal in many situations, marijuana addiction is still possible. Most people experience changes in mental functionality, memory, and coordination with time. Likewise, it’s possible to lose your home, job, or relationships because of your substance abuse. You may find it hard to stop on your own, and we can help you overcome your addiction!
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is very easy to abuse because it’s accessible and socially acceptable to use. However, you may develop alcohol use disorder, leading to social problems, physical issues, and psychological problems. In fact, many marriages, friendships, and relationships are destroyed because of it.
Many alcohol abusers drink too much, and their bodies can’t handle it. Therefore, they get alcohol poisoning and must go to the hospital for treatment.
Chronic abusers might also experience irreparable liver and heart damage. Alcohol use disorder might cause you to get arrested for driving under the influence or public intoxication.
When under the influence of alcohol, you might lose your inhibitions. It can also cause you to try or abuse substances like illegal drugs.
Alcohol addiction is just as bad as other substance abuse problems, and the symptoms of withdrawal can be severe. Typically, people experience delirium tremens, which could be fatal if it causes a stroke or heart attack.
Inhalants
Inhalants are another form of drug abuse, where people breathe drugs in through the nose to get high. They can consist of nitrous oxide, butane, and spray paint. When you smell it, you experience numbness and euphoria. However, it’s brief, so you must do it all the time to keep that effect.
Prescription Drugs
Prescription medications are actually the second most commonly abused substance. If a doctor must prescribe something, they are considered legal substances. However, some of them are extremely habit-forming.
Controlled substances are the worst, such as prescription painkillers, depressants, sedatives, and anti-anxiety medication.
Pain relievers are the top choice, but medications to help with mental illness are often abused. People have mental health problems, so they end up with a dual diagnosis of substance abuse and mental illness.
Since they are not illegal substances, people don’t consider them the same as street drugs. However, a prescription drug addiction can be just as bad as anything. You need to detox and learn about ways to cope with your substance abuse disorder and the reason for taking medications.
Symptoms and Signs of Substance Use Disorders
Those with a substance use disorder might not realize they have a problem because each person deals with addiction differently. Some addicts abuse drugs for many years and feel no effect. However, they can’t ignore the irreversible physical, emotional, and psychological impact forever.
There are four categories of addiction symptoms for substance abuse disorders. These include:
Emotional
Emotional symptoms of drug abuse affect your emotional well-being and mental state. When you display these signs, you may handle emotions differently than others. Symptoms can include:
- Manic energy followed by a crash (physical and emotional)
- Unexplained euphoria
- Extreme sadness
- Extreme mood swings
- Respiratory depression
- Irritability
Behavioral
A substance abuse disorder can also lead to behavioral symptoms indicating that you’re addicted and change your priorities and habits. They include:
- No longer being interested and excited in the things you used to love
- Being secretive about your whereabouts
- Declining performance at school or work
- Getting in trouble with the local authorities
- Changing social circles
- Excessive sleeping
- Sleep problems
- Erratic behaviors
- Stealing
- Lying
Physical
There are physical signs of substance abuse or addiction, such as:
- Sudden weight gain
- Sudden weight loss
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Chills
Cognitive
Cognitive symptoms of substance abuse include:
- Disconnection from reality
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
Why Choose Crestone for Assistance
You should be aware of many risk factors of substance abuse. We understand that you may want to avoid drug use and aren’t sure what to do. That leads to continued substance abuse, which turns into psychiatric problems and physical health issues.
Whether you’re experiencing mood swings and other health issues now or not, we can help you deal with your substance use disorders. Our treatment plans are tailored to meet your needs, and we can offer information about support groups that help you deal with alcohol or substances.
Crestone Detox Austin – Alcohol & Drug Rehab is an addiction treatment facility located in Texas. Each professional here is dedicated to offering high-quality treatment to our patients. You are always treated with respect and dignity. Please contact us today to stop your heavy drinking of alcohol without going cold turkey.
