FLORIDA TIMES UNION: WHY ADDICTION TREATMENT IS SAFE DURING COVID

ADDICTION SYMPTOMS

Addiction is a complex disease. It can be difficult for many to know if they are struggling with addiction, especially if they are abusing alcohol or drugs. Many substances, like alcohol, are legal and widely available, and using such substances in social situations to excess can feel like a rite of passage in our culture. In addition, someone who has trouble with an addiction might be surrounded by friends and family members who seem to drink regularly without a problem.

Understanding the symptoms of addiction can help you determine whether a treatment program is necessary. Many of those who struggle with addiction never seek help. They might feel like their problem is not serious enough to warrant professional help, might be worried about the cost of treatment, or might be concerned about what their loved ones will think. However, if you or a loved one is exhibiting the signs of drug or alcohol addiction, reach out to Lakeview Health today. Our Jacksonville residential addiction treatment center offers compassionate care in a safe, supportive environment.

Contact Lakeview Health at 904.531.3505 or reach out to us online to learn more about our residential treatment programs.

What is Addiction?

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Drug and alcohol addiction is characterized by both cravings for substances and an inability to stop using them, even in the face of negative consequences.

Addiction and the related condition substance use disorder diseases that affect people from all backgrounds and income levels. While factors like genetics and environment can play a role in whether someone struggles with substance abuse or addiction, there is no one reason why someone might develop a problem with drugs or alcohol.

Alcohol or drug dependence occurs when an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking or using substances and need alcohol or drugs to function during the day. Dependence and addiction are two distinct but intrinsically linked parts of substance use disorders.

Some of the most common signs of addiction include:

Addiction can affect every aspect of an individual’s life, from their physical health to their finances.

At Lakeview, we offer a residential treatment program designed specifically for those who are struggling with addiction. While early intervention can lead to long-term positive outcomes, we’re also committed to meeting our patients where they are. Whether you’ve gone through a period of sobriety and have relapsed or are seeking treatment for the first time, our team can help.

Why Do the Symptoms of Addiction Go Undetected?

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According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2019, more than 14 million adults in the United States struggled with alcohol use disorder, but less than 10% of this group received treatment.

Many people don’t understand the disease of addiction, so they don’t know when they’ve truly developed a problem. This is especially true when it comes to alcohol. Someone who is struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction might look around and see that their friends can drink without having a problem, and it can feel isolating to be the only one with an issue. There comes a time, however, when a line is crossed and someone’s social drinking has turned into a problem. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize it. Substance abuse causes people to lose the power of choice when it comes to drinking, but individuals may try to justify their drinking as “just being social.” 

In addition, many of those who struggle with addiction become adept at hiding their alcohol abuse. Your friend, loved one, or coworker might abuse alcohol on a regular basis, but because they are functioning at work, at home, or at school, it can be hard to realize that they have a problem. And when confronted with the evidence of alcohol addiction, some individuals will deny that they are drinking too much.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

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Addiction is complex, and the symptoms vary from person to person. While one or two of these symptoms could stem from something else, multiple addiction symptoms can point to a serious problem.

Addiction can impact an individual’s mental health, behavior, and physical health.

Mental Health

Many of those who struggle with addiction also face challenges with their mental health. Some people turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with feelings of depression and anxiety, but this provides only short-term relief. Eventually, substance use can actually exacerbate existing mental health conditions.

Some of the psychological symptoms of addiction include:

Behavioral Health

Addiction can also impact the way someone behaves. They might:

Physical Symptoms

Finally, addiction can significantly impact an individual’s physical health. They might continue drinking despite knowing that it is costing them their well-being. The physical symptoms of substance use differ according to the substance, of course.

The symptoms of prescription drug addiction, for instance, are quite different from those of, say, alcohol or heroin.

They are too varied to list here, but if you are worried that you or someone close to you is addicted, be on the lookout for any physical signs, especially when they attempt to diminish their consumption or quit and begin to experience withdrawal.

It is particularly important that withdrawal be experienced under medical supervision, particularly because the symptoms can be so varied. Opiate withdrawal symptoms, for instance, look nothing like alcohol withdrawal. The team of Lakeview Health, however, is here to help.

Alcohol and Drug Cravings

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What separates someone with addiction from someone who drinks or uses drugs moderately or who will even binge on occasion boils down to two things: mental obsession and physical craving. These are the primary signs that a person’s substance use has become problematic, and is more than occasional or social. If you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, consider the following:

Can you limit your number of drinks or the amount of substance that you consume?
When you do limit your drinking or substance use, do you feel anxious, restless, or irritable?
Once you begin to drink or use the substance, are you already thinking of continuing your use?
Have your friends or family confronted you about your substance use?

These are only some of the important questions to ask yourself because addiction is a disease that tells you it’s not there. The side effects of prescription drug addiction and the signs of opiate use are important warning signs that may not be as evident as the early signs of alcoholism or stimulant addiction. Without knowing what to look for, the disease of addiction can progress to a point where it’s extremely difficult to find the help that you need.

Why Don’t Those Struggling with Addiction Seek Treatment?

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There are various levels of drinking, and not everyone who drinks regularly develops alcoholism. Alcohol and marijuana, for instance, are substances that are completely legal and widely available in many places, and many people use them as social lubricants to help them loosen up at parties, work events, bars, and clubs. Some people may use substances five to seven nights of the week, but they may not have addiction issues. A moderate user is able to go out and drink socially, but they’re able to stop long before they are too drunk or high to drive. They also know when to stop if they need to be up early the next day for work.

There are also individuals who get drunk or use drugs regularly, yet don’t suffer from substance use disorders. Once faced with dire circumstances like potential job loss, a DUI, or problems with their spouse or friends, they are able to taper off their usage. Certain health issues may arise from regularly drinking or using drugs in excess, but these particular people can logically see that their social drinking or drug use is negatively affecting their life, and they can stop when they want to. Someone who is developing a substance use disorder simply can’t do this, and it’s one of the first signs of addiction.

Overcoming Addiction at Lakeview Health

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Enrolling in an addiction treatment program to learn how to overcome your struggles with substance use issues is the best thing you can do for yourself, your career, your friends, and your family. The disease of addiction tells you that you can’t be social or have fun without drugs and alcohol, but that’s not true. Lakeview Health provides numerous treatment approaches to help individuals and their families work towards long-lasting recovery.

At Lakeview, we make a point of individualizing our treatment to suit the unique needs of our patients. One of the ways we do this is by treating a broad range of specific substances. These include, but are certainly not limited to:

We also treat addiction in particular groups of individuals. Drug use among teenagers, for instance, is on the rise, and as a result, we have programs that focus solely on helping young adults who are in the throes of – or on the path to – addiction. Identifying warning signs of alcoholism or the signs of heroin use can provide early intervention that can change the course of a young person’s life. Additionally, prescription drug abuse has risen significantly in recent years among wide swaths of the U.S. population.

We currently accept Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. We do not currently accept Medicare, Medicaid, or Florida Blue.

Contact Lakeview Health Today

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Our residential programs offer comprehensive care in a supportive setting. We help our patients work through the underlying causes of addiction through group and individual therapy, and our goal is for our patients to leave treatment with the tools they need for lifelong recovery.

When you begin to notice the signs and symptoms of alcoholism, contact Lakeview Health at 904.531.3505. We’re here to help you heal.

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