Analyze the Addiction Cycle: Identifying and Understanding Forms
Addiction is a risky health condition, which is classified as the use of drugs and alcohol with an obsession. It affects people of every walk of life across the globe. There are 46.3 million people are in the United States alone living by the effects of a substance abuse disorder.1 A long-term use of drugs could cause serious problems and could even cause death. Recognize the dangers of drinking and addiction to drugs, but why do people continue to develop addiction?
Understanding the cycle of addiction can help you comprehend the process of developing a substance use disorder. Also, what happens when you find yourself stuck in the addiction cycle and where should you go when you’re trying to figure out how to assist someone struggling with addicts?
Criteria for Addiction
It is not the case that everyone who takes drugs can be classified as an addict or suffers from a drug use disorder. According to the well-known alcohol rehab centers near me, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) provides the following criteria to diagnose the presence of substance use disorders:
1. Inhaling more or using substances for longer periods than you intended
2. Are you looking to cut down or stop using certain substances, but not capable of
3. It is a common practice to spend a significant amount of time obtaining, using or recovering from drug usage
4. Along with desires, or feelings a strong urge to take substances
5. Not paying attention to responsibilities at school, work or at home because of drug use
6. Constantly using substances despite the fact that they are causing issues in relationships
7. Reducing or halting the activities that you enjoy for use of drugs
8. Finding yourself in dangerous environments or situations due to the use of substances
9. Continue to use substances despite getting worse mentally or physically.
10. Tolerating or requiring additional amounts in order to get the desired result
11. Experimenting withdrawal or experiencing negative physical or psychological symptoms while non-using substances
If someone you care about experiences at more than two of the above symptoms, they are in the criteria for addiction disorder and could be trapped within the addiction cycle.2
The Addiction Cycle
The latest research of rehabs in Parkersburg WV suggest that those suffering from substance use disorders suffer from the addiction cycle. Divided into 3 distinct stages:
* Binge/Intoxication: The initial stage is a binge or intoxication, when the person consumes substances and is exposed to the dopamine release associated when they use substances.
* Negative Affect/Withdrawal The next stage is called withdrawal/negative affect which causes a decrease in dopamine levels and are then followed by a rise in the negative emotions.
* Preoccupation/Anticipation: The third stage is the preoccupation/anticipation stage when the person experiences the overwhelming desire to overcome their negative emotional state by using more substances.
A cycle of dependency gets worse with time, particularly when it is left untreated.3 Understanding how to treat addicts will be the very first thing towards getting out of the cycle.
How to Help Addiction
While the cycle of addiction is hard to escape however, it’s not all that’s left on the line. Treatment programs such as those offered by Steps to Recovery know how to treat addiction and provide an avenue to freedom. No matter if you’re seeking detox services, inpatient therapy or a more intensive treatment program for outpatients, we can provide an array of services which can assist regardless of where you are on your journey to recovery. To get more information regarding Steps to Recovery and outcome the right treatment at our center contact us at 304-893-9777,
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