Do you
think you have become addicted to drugs or alcohol? Are you searching for
various symptoms of chemical dependency? You have reached the right place; we
will guide you with the multiple symptoms, its consequences, and also about the
treatment for it.
What is Chemical Dependency?
When a
person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, the state is defined as chemical
dependency. At this stage, the person has become so dependent on chemicals that
even if they want to quit, they feel helpless to do so on own.
Repetitive
use of addictive substances like narcotics, nicotine, alcohol, etc. increases
the tolerance power of the body. This increases their drug intake to let the
body feel the desired effects. If the dosage is not increased, the addicted
person may start experiencing withdrawal symptoms like depression, anxiety,
hallucinations, etc.
Substances Used for Drug Abuse
●
Alcohol
●
Marijuana
●
Cocaine
●
Heroin
●
Tobacco
●
Methamphetamines
●
Anabolic steroids
●
Bath salts and spice
Symptoms of Chemical Dependency
Your body starts showing symptoms of chemical dependency
once becoming addicted to drugs. However, warning signs may vary from person to
person. Some of the most common of them are:
●
Drinking for extended
periods and in larger amounts
●
Unsuccessful attempts to cut
down alcohol or drug intake
●
Frequent cravings for
drugs or alcohol
●
Giving up on your activities
under the influence of these addictive substances
●
Unusual body odors
●
Change in eating and
sleeping patterns
●
Mood swings
●
Lack of Motivation
Though the
symptoms might be similar to some other diseases, it is advised to consult your doctor once before reaching
a conclusion.
Consequences
Depending
upon the addictive substance, your level of addiction consequences varies. It
negatively affects every aspect of life. These include:
●
Effects on Physical health
An addicted
person develops higher risks of increased health problems. It
includes liver damage, cancer, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, stroke, heart problems,
pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other cardiovascular diseases. They even suffer
weight loss and sexual dysfunction.
●
Effects on Mental Health
Addiction
also impacts your psychological health to an adverse level. It leads to
aggravate depression, aggression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, sleep
disturbances, suicidal thoughts, and concentration problems.
●
Effects on Relationships
Under the
influence of drugs, people start
losing interest in the activities that were counted under the list of
activities that they once enjoyed. It negatively affects their family
relations. Their professional work and connections also hamper due to the
addictive effects. People even start escaping or canceling plans of going out
with friends.
Addicted
peoples, socially unacceptable behaviors like stealing to complete their body
desires of drugs, aggression, etc. are the causes of their conflicted
relations.
Don’t worry
if you are also suffering the same, as the chemical dependency is treatable.
Treatment
As the
addiction is complex, so does the treatment. If you think every person is benefited with the same treatment, then you are mistaken. Depending
upon the severity of addiction and details of the individual, treatment varies.
While
deciding the treatment, your doctor considers various factors like:
●
Your age
●
Health
●
Tolerance to medicines.
The
treatment is also decided by analyzing the type of drug to which you get
addicted and the extent of the addiction. A final decision is taken once you
prove. The patient’s will power and cooperation to get detoxified help the
patients to experience fruitful results early.
Treatment
includes chemical dependency detoxification and counseling. You can be treated
either as an inpatient or outpatient but under supervision.
A
detoxification program is carried out with specific medicines to let the body
get rid of withdrawal symptoms. Depending upon the severity, the program runs
for several weeks. Once the body is detoxified, the recovery process starts
with therapies and counseling. Counseling focuses on the problems that person
faced during addiction to let them cured with the best therapies for
eliminating the use and effects of addictive substances.
Counseling
and detoxification programs help the person to live a healthy and prosperous
life, free from drugs forever.
