UNITED STATES' DILEMMA
Substance Abuse Crisis
The drugs that are most frequently mentioned while discussing substance addiction are alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, hallucinogens, methaqualone, and opioids.
The impacts of drug addiction can have long-lasting physical and psychological consequences and alter brain structure. Occasionally, modifications to the brain are an indication that the brain is recovering from addiction. Other times, extra psychological assistance may be needed to heal the scars left by years of abuse. This is a sign of self-awareness in the rehabilitation process rather than weakness or failure.
What Are a Few of Drug Addiction’s Long-Term Psychological Effects?
The physical effects of drug use become most obvious during the initial detoxification phase. During the first few weeks of detox, withdrawals can lead to severe physical discomfort. The post-withdrawal stage, which is less usually discussed, comes after this initial withdrawal period and is when the adverse effects connected to the psychological addiction start to manifest.
An individual with a long history of drug or alcohol abuse will need time for their brain to heal even though their body is no longer physically “addicted” to the substance. Frequent mood swings, drug cravings, feelings of lethargy, grief or sadness, anxiety, sleeplessness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and low energy are possible effects of these alterations.
Even among people with no past history of depression, quitting depressant drugs including alcohol, heroin, and benzodiazepines led to depressive episodes lasting weeks, months, or even years. Worldwide, alcohol consumption is a significant contributor to despair and suicide. Following the cessation of alcohol consumption, depression and mild anxiety are also quite prevalent and the biggest predictor of relapse. When these sensations are present, it might seem like an endless loop of emotional highs and lows, which can lead to more drug desires.
These symptoms won’t last indefinitely, and there are ways to lessen their intensity and frequency with the aid of long-term residential and outpatient care facilities that offer a level of support that takes into account the ongoing struggles a person will experience during the post-withdrawal phase.
By making a donation to Carita World Foundation, you’re addressing a variety of substance abuse recovery assistance served by Nonprofit Organizations fighting the addiction epidemic in America and supporting individuals and their families going through this painful and long-term process. Carita World Foundation aims to fund these organizations pursuing their compassionate initiatives.
