Drug addiction is a severe problem in society, and it can be challenging to address. It’s estimated that about 50% of people who are addicted to drugs will relapse within the first year after rehab or detoxification. Some people succeed with treatments like methadone maintenance therapy, while others need more intensive care for their addiction.
In this article, we’ll discuss what drug addiction is and how you can help someone overcome an addiction to drugs by either going through rehab or staying sober on your own Drug addictions usually occur when a person becomes dependent on a substance over time due to repeated use. Dependence occurs when the brain creates neurotransmitters in response to continued exposure—the body starts producing certain chemicals naturally in response to the drug use. Without it, a person can become very sick.
What is a relapse
A relapse occurs when a person returns to drug use after trying and failing at some sobriety program. Relapse rates vary by addiction, but they can be as high as 90% for addicts who undergo abstinence-based treatment methods like rehab. Methadone maintenance therapy is another form of treatment; it involves using methadone (an FDA-approved medication that manages withdrawal symptoms) combined with counseling or support groups where users are given controlled doses under the observation of medical professionals. This allows individuals who suffer from opioid dependency disorders—like heroin –to stay off illicit opioids while still managing their cravings. However, this is only considered adequate if followed up with additional therapeutic measures such as cognitive behavioral therapy and support groups.
Drug Relapse warning signs
Relapse warning signs are often subtle, and they commonly include the following: * Increased use of drugs or alcohol. * Frequent drug cravings. * Constantly thinking about using. * Losing interest in hobbies once enjoyed. * Spending time with friends who abuse substances. Some people relapse because their body has become physically dependent on a particular substance; if you’re injecting heroin, your body will naturally go into withdrawal when it’s cut off from that supply—this can be very dangerous both psychologically and physiologically. Still, medical detoxification programs like methadone maintenance therapy reduce the risk by gradually weaning addicts off of opioids rather than abruptly stopping usage altogether so bodily functions don’t fail as severely during this period
. Relapse warning signs can also be expected if a person is not fully committed to sobriety. While it’s part of recovery to learn how you became addicted to avoiding relapse, people who are resistant to therapy and have difficultly coping with feelings related to their addiction may only end up returning to drugs. It all comes down to understanding what drives your need for using, then learning healthier ways of satisfying that need instead of turning back to substances. Being proactive about seeking help before relapse occurs is one-way addicts protect themselves from relapsing in future situations where they feel tempted by their previous drug use behavior.
Withdrawal symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms for many drugs include anxiety, irritability, depression, insomnia, sweating, shaking, chills or fever, nausea, vomiting, vomiting, muscle pain, runny nose, yawning tremors, weight loss, and in the case of stimulants, extreme tiredness. Some people can withdraw from drugs on their own with no medical assistance, while others will need to be treated for withdrawal symptoms or detoxification. Once someone has gone through this process, they may want to continue treatment at an outpatient rehab center.
They receive therapy and support and attend regular group meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). These treatments are effective ways for recovering addicts to stay sober long-term because it provides them with a social network that supports staying drug-free. Some forms of medication used for long-term treatment are methadone maintenance therapy, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. These treatments allow addicts to recover without the fear of getting high from drugs again because they block opioid receptors in the brain. This way, a person can still feel normal and function but will not get any “high” or euphoria associated with using opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers. The relapse rate for these types of medications is about 80% after one year.
Conclusion
Many people who are addicted to drugs will relapse at some point during their recovery journey because addiction is a chronic condition that can be difficult to treat without intensive care. However, there are ways to help reduce the likelihood of relapsing for those seeking treatment, such as getting involved in a support group like AA or NA and receiving long-term medication therapy from methadone maintenance therapy, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Relapse rates for these treatments vary depending on the environment, personality traits, and social networks—in general. However, the relapse rate after one year is about 80% for anti-addiction medications alone, so it’s important not to rely solely on this type of treatment when trying to recover. If you are struggling with relapse for drug addiction, do not hesitate to call us today on 833-846-5669!