The Basics of Drug Addiction in Davenport, Iowa
Drug abuse and addiction is a global catastrophe that has continuously afflicted the general population regardless of their social standing, age or gender. As much as awareness has been created and information effectively communicated, it still is a rampant predicament. Its effects are severe and life disruptive to both the victims and their loved ones. However, the most alarming fact about it is that people still do not understand what drug addiction really is and how it works. This may explain why more people are falling victim and having their lives negatively affected.
Raising awareness tirelessly is the first step to eradicating drug abuse and addiction. It is believed that once proper information and facts are made clear and understood by the population at large, the numbers of victims will significantly reduce. The first thing that pops to mind at the mention of drug abuse and addiction is cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other hard substances.
However, this is a general term that is used to describe the improper use of any drug or addictive substance that interferes with the normal functioning of the brain and body. This includes; illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs. Although getting hooked to them starts off as a personal choice, the situation quickly spirals out of hand thereafter. The patient losses self will and control over the drugs and basically becomes a slave to them.
The lack of understanding of this fact by their loved ones quickly sends them into depression which may further lead to over dependence to the drugs or worst still, suicide. It is therefore important for the society to start viewing and handling drug addicted individuals differently if healing is to be achieved.
How the Addiction Occurs
Addiction to drugs is basically considered a disease because it affects the general functioning of the mind and body. Addiction happens in the brain whereby signals are sent to the rest of the body which causes improper functioning unless there are drugs in the system as fuel. This may explain why some addicts shoot up drugs into their system before starting their day and gradually do so through the day to keep going. Once the brain starts to send these signals, control over the drugs no longer is under the patient's control. The withdrawal symptoms associated with addiction to drugs are severe. The brain shuts down and the body follows suit. The struggle becomes so much to handle for the patient and may even cause insanity or worse, death. These include; shaking, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, insomnia, depression, sweating, paranoia, irritability, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite.
Des Moines
Cedar Rapids
Davenport
Iowa
It is therefore advisable that the loved ones of those addicted to drugs show love and support during rehabilitation more than ever before. Rehab programs now include family members in discussion and cancelling sessions. This is because they also need to learn how to live with the patient thereafter. Studies show that 78% of drug users fall back into addiction shortly after rehab. This is highly linked to rejection and lack of support from loved ones and society at large. The depression sends them right back into addiction and deeper than they were initially.
Unlike addiction to other substances such as caffeine and sugar, addiction to drugs causes serious health problems that may drive the patient into an early grave. This means that rehabilitation not only involves mental treatment and breaking the over reliance to the drugs. It may also include treatment of diseases stringed to the addiction itself. This includes; diabetes, mental illness, sexually transmitted diseases, asthma, heart disease, depression and many more. A drug addict is considered a fragile patient and is handled as such when it is needed.
The main factors that people should understand in regards to drug addiction is the fact that the victims simply require love, support and understanding in order to get over the addiction. Understanding that these harmful drugs contain chemicals that disrupt the brains norm of sending and receiving signals from the rest of the body renders the victim incapable of handling the addiction. The drugs cause disruption by either imitating a brain's natural chemical messengers and also by over stimulating the brain.
There is hope for complete healing for a person who's been addicted to drugs on a short term basis. However, for long term users, the case is different. This is because it alters the glutamate function and further impairs a person's cognitive function. This further causes severe impairing of the person's judgement, learning, decision making, behavioral control. However, information is power. There is hope for patients addicted to drugs.
Davenport, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Raising awareness tirelessly is the first step to eradicating drug abuse and addiction. It is believed that once proper information and facts are made clear and understood by the population at large, the numbers of victims will significantly reduce. The first thing that pops to mind at the mention of drug abuse and addiction is cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other hard substances.
However, this is a general term that is used to describe the improper use of any drug or addictive substance that interferes with the normal functioning of the brain and body. This includes; illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs. Although getting hooked to them starts off as a personal choice, the situation quickly spirals out of hand thereafter. The patient losses self will and control over the drugs and basically becomes a slave to them.
The lack of understanding of this fact by their loved ones quickly sends them into depression which may further lead to over dependence to the drugs or worst still, suicide. It is therefore important for the society to start viewing and handling drug addicted individuals differently if healing is to be achieved.
How the Addiction Occurs
Addiction to drugs is basically considered a disease because it affects the general functioning of the mind and body. Addiction happens in the brain whereby signals are sent to the rest of the body which causes improper functioning unless there are drugs in the system as fuel. This may explain why some addicts shoot up drugs into their system before starting their day and gradually do so through the day to keep going. Once the brain starts to send these signals, control over the drugs no longer is under the patient's control. The withdrawal symptoms associated with addiction to drugs are severe. The brain shuts down and the body follows suit. The struggle becomes so much to handle for the patient and may even cause insanity or worse, death. These include; shaking, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, insomnia, depression, sweating, paranoia, irritability, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite.
Des Moines
Cedar Rapids
Davenport
Iowa
It is therefore advisable that the loved ones of those addicted to drugs show love and support during rehabilitation more than ever before. Rehab programs now include family members in discussion and cancelling sessions. This is because they also need to learn how to live with the patient thereafter. Studies show that 78% of drug users fall back into addiction shortly after rehab. This is highly linked to rejection and lack of support from loved ones and society at large. The depression sends them right back into addiction and deeper than they were initially.
Unlike addiction to other substances such as caffeine and sugar, addiction to drugs causes serious health problems that may drive the patient into an early grave. This means that rehabilitation not only involves mental treatment and breaking the over reliance to the drugs. It may also include treatment of diseases stringed to the addiction itself. This includes; diabetes, mental illness, sexually transmitted diseases, asthma, heart disease, depression and many more. A drug addict is considered a fragile patient and is handled as such when it is needed.
The main factors that people should understand in regards to drug addiction is the fact that the victims simply require love, support and understanding in order to get over the addiction. Understanding that these harmful drugs contain chemicals that disrupt the brains norm of sending and receiving signals from the rest of the body renders the victim incapable of handling the addiction. The drugs cause disruption by either imitating a brain's natural chemical messengers and also by over stimulating the brain.
There is hope for complete healing for a person who's been addicted to drugs on a short term basis. However, for long term users, the case is different. This is because it alters the glutamate function and further impairs a person's cognitive function. This further causes severe impairing of the person's judgement, learning, decision making, behavioral control. However, information is power. There is hope for patients addicted to drugs.
Davenport, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa