The Ugly Truth About Addiction

Substance addiction, according to American Addiction Centers, has affected almost 22 million Americans in 2014 alone. Seeing as this is such a large problem, many efforts have been taken to reduce the number of people who are substance dependent. The war on drugs and addiction are very closely related, although neither problems seem to be getting any better. In an effort to alleviate this crisis, you should inform yourself about what addiction is and how you can stop it.

What is an addiction and why does it happen?

Substance addiction is a phrase that refers to the mental or physical dependence of a certain drug. General addiction can be entirely in your head such as a craving for sugar or a strong desire to go shop. However, drug addiction usually results in a physical dependence meaning that your body NEEDS this drug in order to function on a daily basis. This is why most experts suggest preventing the addiction is more important than waiting for it to become an issue and having to visit a Drug Rehab Center. Our bodies do not need any drugs and the reason that people become dependent on drugs is that they are using them regularly and their bodies get used to having it. With that being said, don’t assume that all drug addicts are criminals who do illegal drugs.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who takes drugs is at risk of substance addiction. With that being said, you need to be aware of what the term ‘drug’ is referring to. By definition, a drug is anything that “..has a physiological effect when ingested or.. introduced into the body.” Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco are all legal drugs that people around the world ingest on a daily basis. With that being said, anyone who takes drugs of any kind is at risk of becoming physically or mentally dependent to it. Obviously, some drugs have a much higher addiction rate than others. Amphetamines such as Adderall, Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, and Alcohol are all examples of highly addictive drugs. You should refrain from becoming addicted to them at all costs. Withdrawal symptoms from Benzodiazepines and alcohol are said to be some of the worst and can even kill you if you stop taking the drug all of a sudden. Your best bet is to not get addicted to any drug, as the healing process can be excruciatingly painful and difficult.

How can you prevent or treat addiction?

Being addicted to a drug does not mean that your life is over. There are ways for those who are addicted to stop being addicted. Since all drugs have different rates of addiction and it can be dangerous to try stopping them on your own, your best bet is to seek help. Professional drug rehabilitation centers such as the Port Saint Lucie rehab in Florida can help you get sober safely. It is very important to seek help when struggling with addiction, as many people fail to get sober on their own. There are treatment centers such as these in many different locations, often people choose to visit the The Avante Ibogaine Institute which also offers ongoing support to help you recover from your addiction.

If you want to avoid addiction at all costs, (trust me, you do) then you will have to take preventative measures. Addiction isn’t going to happen with your first sip of alcohol or caffeine, but you are much more likely to become addicted if you use drugs irresponsibly. As a rule of thumb, never use drugs illegally. This also includes underage consumption of alcohol. Secondly, if you do use drugs legally, do so in moderation. Excessive use of substances greatly contributes to your risk of addiction. Finally, be aware of the risks of any drug before you put it into your body. For example, even though tobacco is legal, there are many reasons why you should quit smoking or never start in the first place.

After beating addiction or after deciding that you will never become addicted to a drug, you need to figure out ways to keep your mind off of these substances. There are many other ways to improve your life without using drugs. In the end, be strong and be smart about what you are putting into your body.