Addictions

Did you know that everyone is an addict in one way or another? Some people’s addictions are simple addictions such as chocolate, sugar, or exercise. Some are addicted to very dangerous things such as OxiContin, Xanax, Percocet, Lortab, Valium, and Morphine pills, and patches. Some addictions are worse than others. Taking more pain medicine than was actually prescribed can also have the opposite effect in causing rebound pain that is as bad, if not worse than the original pain being treated. It is very hard to break these addictions once they have begun, and it does hurt both the person and their extended families. For many people addicted to drugs, it happened by accident that they even became addicted. It can be because their bodies built up such a tolerance to these pain killers, and sleeping aids that it requires greater and greater amounts to reach the desired effect. That is hard and often painful for those who look to quitting and breaking their addiction, as well as those who love them and want to help them. Some do get out of these addictions, but others do not and often build up such a tolerance that they just keep taking more and more without thinking about how it may affect them or the people around them. It kills your liver and hurts the people you love to see you suffer when you don’t have the fix you need. So here are five things to “future proof” yourself and your loved ones:

1.                  Treatment must be accessible and affordable.

2.                  As a consumer, you must make yourself aware of the consequences associated with the abuse of medications.

3.                  The earlier treatment is offered in the disease process, the greater the likelihood is for a positive outcome.

4.                  Treatment must address the WHOLE: the medical, psychological, social, emotional, and vocational needs of the individual.

5.                  Programs need to match treatment and interventions to an individual’s particular problems and needs.

Try and understand that not everyone has the will power to quit on their own. Sometimes they need a little help and support from family and friends. So if you know someone who is struggling with drug abuse, try and find the best way to help them.

All facts in this blog article where provided by the DATIA Focus Magazine Fall 2013 Issue 4 Volume 6