What To Know About Drug Use Disorder And Addiction

Nobody ever expects to develop a drug use disorder, but this challenging disease affects millions of Americans every single year. Drug use disorders transform your mind and body and can derail your life. Mercifully, there is help for anyone dealing with drug use. Specialized drug addiction treatment is accessible in the Monmouth Junction area and can help you reclaim control of your life. Continue reading to learn more about drug use disorders and addiction and how individuals and their family members can overcome these conditions with specialized help.

What Is A Drug Use Disorder?

A lot of people consume illicit drugs for recreation or strong prescription drugs to treat health conditions. But when does drug use become a life-changing disorder?

Generally, drug use becomes a disorder when a person shows problematic patterns of drug use and loses control of their use. Drug use disorders are mental health disorders that vary between mild to severe. These health issues disrupt your life and have a detrimental impact on your physical state.

There are differing facets of drug use disorders:

• Dependence develops when your body becomes so reliant on a drug that it struggles to perform when it’s not present. You will endure uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if you quit using the drug.


• Addiction is a mental dependence. Addictive drugs alter your brain chemistry so that you persistently crave those drugs and feel compelled to consume them more and more. You are no longer able to control your mental state and behaviors. Addiction is the most severe element of substance use disorders.

All levels of drug use disorder are harmful to your mind, body, relationships, and happiness. If you suspect you or a person you love has a drug use disorder, find competent support for recovery. All people have a right to help.

What Drugs Are Habit-forming?

Addictive drugs possess powerful chemicals that alter your brain. Many are hazardous enough to be outlawed. Others are approved medicines but can become dangerous when used improperly or overused. Below are many of the frequently encountered addictive drugs in the U.S.:

• Narcotics deaden the senses, which causes them to be potent analgesics. However, some also take them to dull other unwanted feelings and can become dependent quickly. Narcotics can be classified as opiates or opioids. Opiates are naturally derived drugs. Opioids are lab-created. Heroin is a well-known prohibited narcotic. Legal drugs like Percocet, OxyContin, Vicodin, morphine, and fentanyl have medical uses but are dependency-causing and often used improperly.


• Benzodiazepines are mood-affecting drugs frequently given for mental health disorders. However, they can turn addictive when not used correctly. Their tranquilizing qualities cause you to feel relaxed. Xanax and Valium are familiar benzos.


• Stimulants include prescription drugs like Adderall and Ritalin, as well as prohibited drugs like meth and cocaine. They stimulate your central nervous system, causing you to become alert, energized, and exhilarated. Excessive use of stimulants can be deadly.

Every one of these sorts of drugs can develop into a drug use disorder. They all possess the capacity to derail your life and trigger life-threatening medical conditions. Find assistance for yourself or a person you care about at the first indication of substance dependency.

How Does Drug Addiction Start?

There are numerous reasons why individuals begin using dependency-causing drugs. Many do so recreationally because they relish in the effects those chemicals create. Some people develop dependency with medications they're consuming for medical treatment. Many people initiate the use of drugs to self-treat unmanaged mental illnesses and experience short-term respite.

Regardless of the motivation for first using these substances, the path to addiction is typically the same. Your body develops a dependency to the drug, and you get ill when you don't use it. You use more just to get by. You might slowly require larger amounts for the drug to be effective. You appreciate how its influence feels. You feel distressed without it and persist in using it. Eventually, those chemicals take control of the pleasure center of your brain, and you can no longer feel good unless that drug is in your system.

If you're addicted, obtaining a reliable supply of the drug becomes all that matters. Many people forfeit jobs, endure illness, harm relationships, and take significant risks as a result of drug addiction. Your addiction overpowers you and everything in your life, and you are unable to stop without skilled assistance.

What Are Indications Of Drug Addiction?

It might seem a drug use disorder would be clear. However, these disorders can manifest differently among individuals, and those you care about will frequently try to mask their drug use from you. If you are uncertain if you or a relative have a drug use disorder, consider the following warning signals:

• Having an irresistible urge to consume the drug


• Failed attempts to cut down on or stop using the drug


• Allocating much energy and time getting the drug, ingesting it, or recovering from its effects


• Taking a prescription for longer durations or in larger amounts than intended


• Struggling to fulfill commitments due to drug use


• Letting go of cherished activities to consume drugs


• Persistent use of the drug even when it damages relationships


• Persistent use of the drug even though it adversely impacts your physical and mental health


• Needing more of the substance to experience its effects


• Enduring withdrawal when attempting to stop


• Taking risks to obtain or ingest the drug

Drug use disorders may look different among people. If you or someone close to you are displaying any signals of drug addiction near Monmouth Junction, talk to a doctor or addiction treatment specialist.

Where To Obtain Drug Addiction Treatment In Monmouth Junction

Drug use disorder treatment is a multi-step process. The majority of individuals will slip up and need to return to certain steps more than once. You won’t be “cured” of drug use disorder, but numerous individuals find recovery and implement what they learn during treatment to build a healthy, drug-free life. The key is finding expert, proven treatment that aligns with your needs.

No two addiction recovery avenues are exactly the same. But, treatment typically involves the following steps at licensed treatment facilities:

• Drug detox is the process of letting your body rid itself of drugs. Your system will do this automatically if you don’t take more drugs. But, if you have a drug dependence, your body will go into withdrawal without drugs. To properly complete detox, you should check into an inpatient detox treatment center that offers round-the-clock medical guidance and takes steps to keep you comfortable.


• Drug rehab programs also provide inpatient treatment. During rehab, you’ll continue to live at a treatment facility and enjoy access to specialized healthcare for any ongoing withdrawal symptoms. You attend different types of psychotherapy every day with the goal of comprehending your addiction, learning new positive habits, and treating any existing mental disorders. You should remain in rehab until you become physically and psychologically stable enough to exit that sober environment.


• When you finish rehab, you should still receive expert addiction support. Outpatient addiction and mental health care will help you navigate your life without addictive drugs. These programs give you regular therapy and medication management. At first, you may participate in outpatient support every day and go home each night. Over time, you won’t require as much care and might only participate in therapy weekly or less.

Every person is entitled to specialized, compassionate addiction treatment. No matter how serious your addiction may be, recovery is achievable. Seeking professional therapy at a qualified treatment facility is critical for your success. You don’t have to fight addiction alone. You will find numerous choices for drug addiction treatment near Monmouth Junction.

How Can Families Help A Loved One Struggling With Drug Addiction Near Monmouth Junction?

Individuals with a drug use disorder need all the support they can obtain. Family members and friends can be crucial to addiction recovery. If you care for an individual with a drug use disorder, here are some ways you can support them:

• Help them get into a treatment program


• Help them cover the cost of treatment


• Attend family counseling with them


• Play an active role in aftercare planning


• Provide a safe, substance-free environment to reside in


• Withhold judgment


• Set limits around their drug use


• Provide transportation to outpatient treatment appointments

Get Help For Drug Use Disorders Near Monmouth Junction Today

Nobody should try to handle drug use disorders by themselves. If you or a loved one are grappling with drug addiction, recovery is possible. Reach out to The Counseling Center at Monmouth Junction at 732-605-6353 or complete our contact form below. One of our team members will respond right away to discuss treatment. Every call is free and private. You can reach us at all hours, all year round. Get help today. We are ready for you.