Posts Tagged drug and alcohol
The Psychology Behind Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Drug and alcohol addiction are classified as mental issues, true addictions that are beyond a person’s ability to control. Many times a social drink can quickly turn into several drinks a night. Someone who once used to indulge in glass of wine to relax at the end of a long day may find themselves turning toward alcohol to cope with stressful situations. Similarly, someone who uses a prescription medicine as directed by a doctor, may abuse that same medicine in order to decrease psychological pain felt by other situations or events in their life. Research shows that nearly half of those who suffer with drug or alcohol addiction have an underlying mental issue and use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate.
People who suffer with depression will often turn toward drugs or alcohol in order to numb the mental anguish. Anxiety sufferers gladly welcome the relaxing effect of a prescription pill or alcoholic beverage. But these only exacerbate the problem. The depression and anxiety are still present, and become worse with the addition of these substances. Too often people who have seriously debilitating mental challenges turn towards these substances rather than turning to their friends and family because of the social stigma associated with mental illness.
Tags: addiction drug, alcohol abuse, anxiety sufferers, drug and alcohol, drug and alcohol addiction, mental anguish, mental challenges, prescription medicine, psychological pain, social stigmaRelated posts
Alcohol and Drug Rehab: Triggers, Cravings, Relapse and Recovery
It has taken some time but, researchers have come to the conclusion that drug addiction and alcoholism are diseases and like other diseases, are chronic and those afflicted are subject to relapse. From a medical perspective, addiction can be compared to diabetes in that it will require long term treatment, lifestyle changes, medication at times and if not monitored, relapse will occur.
Experts with The National Institute of Drug Abuse feel it is not reasonable to expect a recovering addict or alcoholic to maintain lifelong abstinence with just one treatment or rehab experience. Furthermore, Dr. George Koob, a professor with the Scripps Research Institute agrees. His research has shown that approximately 80 percent of the addicts and alcoholics who experience detox return to drug or alcohol use within a year.
Tags: alcohol and drug rehab, brain function, drug and alcohol, drug and alcohol abuse, drugs and alcohol, medical perspective, national institute of drug abuse, physical responses, reason individuals, scripps research instituteRelated posts