Addiction changes your brain chemistry and can impair your judgment and cognition. Alcohol and most drugs lower inhibitions, making the risk of engaging in dangerous or illegal behavior during addiction especially high. A drug addiction treatment center can provide you with the resources, support, and guidance necessary for you to fully recover from addiction.
Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Regardless of your age, gender, background, or race, you can develop a substance abuse disorder. In fact, roughly one out of every seven Americans ages 12 and older meets the criteria for a substance abuse disorder each year. While addiction and substance abuse disorders are relatively common, most people suffering from addiction don’t complete treatment. Addiction is a chronic, progressive mental health disease, meaning that symptoms will continue to get worse until you receive help and treatment. A substance abuse treatment program will help to address the root causes of your addiction, identify your triggers, and help you learn stress management and coping mechanisms to stay on your recovery journey.
What is Addiction?
Substance abuse disorders and addiction are progressive, incurable, and potentially fatal conditions. Addiction causes you to compulsively abuse drugs or alcohol despite negative consequences or a strong desire to quit using. Drugs and alcohol are different types of neurotransmitter inhibitors, meaning they cause your brain to release more pleasurable neurotransmitters than it should. Serotonin, dopamine, and GABA are three different neurotransmitters that are commonly impacted by drug and alcohol use.
Your brain’s pleasure and reward center changes during addiction. Once your brain links drugs and alcohol with pleasure, it only releases certain neurotransmitters when you use your substance of choice. When you don’t use, your brain restricts or completely prevents the release of neurotransmitters. Your brain can eventually depend solely on your substance of choice in order to release neurotransmitters.
Common signs and symptoms of addiction, substance abuse disorders, and alcoholism are:
The inability to stop, control, or reduce your drug or alcohol use
Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms whenever you stop using
Spending excessive amounts of money on drugs and alcohol
Neglecting obligations or responsibilities to use or acquire drugs or alcohol
Increasing your drug or alcohol use so you can experience the same effects
Feeling guilt, shame, or remorse about your drug or alcohol use
A drug addiction treatment program in Jacksonville, FL has can help you complete withdrawal and treatment in a medical detox center safely and begin your recovery process.
What to Expect at a Drug Addiction Treatment Center
A drug addiction treatment center Jacksonville, FL offers provides:
Short-term and long-term inpatient rehab programs
Relapse prevention education and planning
Individual counseling
Group therapy program
Family therapy program
Intensive outpatient program
Evidence-based and holistic therapies
Aftercare program and alumni network
Short-term inpatient drug rehab programs typically last for up to 28 days, while long-term residential programs can last for 90 days or more. Inpatient and outpatient drug rehab programs can both offer medically supervised detox services. A drug addiction treatment program in Jacksonville, FL can also offer specialized programs, such as dual diagnosis treatment and trauma therapy programs. Inpatient offers the highest level of care, making it an ideal match if you have a severe addiction, have tried to recover multiple times, or are experiencing co-occurring disorders. The increased structure and support are also beneficial if you have struggled with multiple relapses.
The first step in treatment is safely withdrawing and detoxing from your substance of choice. Withdrawal symptoms typically go away within a week. Once you complete withdrawal, you can choose to enter inpatient or outpatient treatment. During treatment, you will learn how to identify and change negative thinking patterns, feelings, and behaviors. Treatment will also help you develop healthy coping strategies, which will improve your ability to avoid relapsing.
Reaching Out for Help Today at a Drug Rehab Center
If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse problem, finding a drug addiction treatment center is the first step toward achieving recovery. Treatment programs at Lakeview Health include:
Taking the first step towards recovery can be daunting, but knowing your options for care is paramount to your success. Fill out the form below and one of our team members will reach out to help you get started.
