Substance abuse is one of the major issues that the youth around the world are facing. According to NCDAS, 47.7 million people aged 12 in America are using illegal drugs in 2023, and the numbers have been increasing every year. While substance addiction is not treatable like other physical conditions, it is a manageable condition with ongoing treatments.
With lifelong treatment, substance abuse is a grave condition that is affecting most Americans in one way or another. Substance abuse or addiction is termed as chronic; it also has progressive tendencies. Moreover, there are characterized relapses.
But can you leave it to be cured on its own?
No, addiction cannot be treated without external help.
If substance addiction is left untreated, the consequences can be very serious, ultimately resulting in death.
In its most basic definition, substance abuse is the inability to control one's desire to get and use substances despite the high probability of harmful outcomes. A medical condition that impacts the brain and changes behavior is one way to define addiction.
When talking about the abuse or use of drugs and other substances, we can tell you that there are many factors behind it. It is not one or two events that cause the addiction. It happens because of a pattern. The human brain is conditioned in such a way that it gets trained to get addicted to something pleasing or regularly administered.
Some symptoms of drug abuse, according to DSM-5 criteria, include:
If a patient displays two or more of the following symptoms within twelve months, a drug use disorder diagnosis may be made by a medical expert. People who take their prescription medications as prescribed are exempt from criteria 10 and 11.
The diagnosis of substance abuse is made by a thorough examination done by a certified psychologist, psychiatrist, or other counselor. Usually, a blood or urine test is taken to get concrete results; however, addiction in itself cannot be diagnosed by these tests. So, the experts use criteria like the DSM-5 published by APA for their diagnosis and evaluation.
Yes, substance abuse is curable with continued therapy. 70% of drug users who stayed in rehabilitation programs for at least one year became sober. The patients or sufferers are required to stay in the treatment to manage their addiction. Additional medication is prescribed in the event of a patient's relapse. Moreover, addicts are often stereotyped as having little or no self-control.
Addiction treatment is effective if the addicts continue to participate in their treatment. The key is to stick to the treatment plan. If a person happens to leave the treatment in between, treatment is not possible.
There are many treatment options available nowadays for substance abuse based on the severity of the addiction. By following these treatments holistically, patients can live a drug-free and stable life.
CBT or Cognitive behavioral treatment, is one of the major and most commonly used therapies for substance abuse around the world. In this, a certified mental health care provider in the United States can help patients with therapy by making them understand their behavior and encouraging self-awareness.
At Health & Psychiatry, an expert mental healthcare facility in Tampa, Florida, we help addicts first recognize their behavior, the problem behind it, and then help them change it with behavioral changes and develop other coping skills to lead a healthy life.
You can safely and quickly wean yourself off drugs with the aid of detoxification, sometimes shortened to "detox" or withdrawal therapy.
Some people can safely undergo withdrawal treatment as an outpatient.
Opioid withdrawal, stimulant withdrawal, and depressive withdrawal are all different, as are the symptoms and ways to overcome them.
Instead of a residential or hospital environment, ACT or Assertive Community Treatment offers mental health care in the community. This program is created to assist persons dealing with severe substance abuse that makes it difficult for them to live independently, go to doctor's visits, and manage their mental health symptoms.
The ACT approach is more Individualized than other treatment options. The treatment plan and approach are set according to your future aspirations, current needs, and strengths by your healthcare provider.
After a patient gets the initial treatment, they need to get continuous care to prevent a relapse or the recurrence of the addiction. For this, it is important to get follow-up treatments, appointments, therapy sessions, and other measures that your medical expert suggests.
Are you or your loved ones in need of help handling substance addiction?
Get professional and affordable substance abuse treatment in Tampa, Florida.
Health & Psychiatry, with mental healthcare facilities across Florida, in the United States, is always here for you. We also offer telepsychiatry services to help you with ease!
Your first psychiatric examination will inform Dr. Sajan and her team's development of a tailored treatment plan for drug abuse. Psychotherapy, medication, and group therapy are all possible components of your treatment approach that we consider here.
People who struggle with drug misuse or substance abuse often simultaneously deal with mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. You will be treated attentively by Dr. Sajan and her professional team for both your drug misuse problem and any underlying mental health issues.
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