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substance use disorder  is a health condition involving compulsive substance use. It develops when substance use interferes with the ability to function day-to-day. Drug abuse can lead to paranoia, aggressiveness, hallucinations, addiction, impaired judgement, impulsiveness, loss of self-control, infectious diseases, overdose & other fatal consequences.

Almost all drugs usually target the brain’s reward circuit. As a person continues to abuse drugs, the brain adapts to the overwhelming surges in dopamine by producing less of its own dopamine or by reducing the number of dopamine receptors in the reward circuit. This leads to lesser ‘high’s experienced by the user, resulting in an increase in the intake of the drugs and hence, addiction.

Addictions

Some of the common addictions are 

• Alcohol
• Antianxiety and sedative drugs
• Caffeine
• Cannabis (including marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids)
• Hallucinogens (including LSD, phencyclidine, and psilocybin)
• Inhalants (such as paint thinner and certain glues)
• Opioids (including fentanyl, morphine, and oxycodone)
• Stimulants (including amphetamines and cocaine)
• Tobacco
• Other (including anabolic steroids and other commonly abused substances)
• Gambling addiction
• Internet or gaming addiction

Symptoms

If you feel any of these symptoms immediately consult with a psychiatrist from a de-addiction centre such as People Tree Maarga in Bangalore 

• Feeling that you have to use the drug frequently
• Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
• Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
• Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
• Spending money on the drug, even though you can’t afford it
• Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
• Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it’s causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
• Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re under the influence of the drug
• Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug, or recovering from the effects of the drug
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug and experiencing withdrawal symptoms

What do Drug De-Addiction Centres do?

The goal of the Drug De-Addiction Centre is to help someone overcome addiction. Usually, the recovery journey follows four distinct stages of rehab recovery as you learn to develop a healthy and sober lifestyle

Treatment Initiation: During this stage of treatment, the individual is admitted to the centre and their alcohol and drug use history will be taken, the treatment program will be introduced, and the counsellor will work with the individual to develop an individualized treatment plan.

Detoxification & Abstinence: Depending on the type of substance use disorder, the first stage of treatment may be medically assisted detoxification. During this process, supportive care is provided as the substance is cleared from your bloodstream. During addiction treatment, a person undergoes various therapies to help them work through issues that cause substance abuse and learn a healthier way of life.

Therapies used in drug rehab may include cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy music lessons, art therapy, sports, and recreation etc. Your trained addiction counsellor will begin to teach you coping skills and strategies to abstain from drugs. These include 

• Encouraging participation in healthy activities
• Finding alternative behaviours to engage in rather than turning to drugs
• Participating in self-help groups that offer support and information
• Recognizing environmental triggers that lead to cravings, including people, places, and things

 

Maintaining Abstinence: Once your counsellor is confident you can handle your sobriety, you will be released from the facility and continue to receive counselling and treatment as an outpatient to ensure you’re recovering well and that there are no relapses.

 

Advanced Recovery: Once you’re confident of your recovery, you move to the advanced stage where you become a healthier person, a better friend, spouse and parent, a productive member of society and aim to live a satisfying, fulfilling life. This can include creating long-term goals, establishing a consistent daily schedule, forming social relationships with other sober people, and taking part in sober activities.

If you struggle with drug addiction or know someone who does, the best thing you can do is get them admitted at People Tree Maarga, to get treated. People Tree Maarga is the best psychiatric hospital in Bangalore with a state-of-the-art healthcare facility, aimed at transforming ‘mind care’ in India. People Tree Maarga has a special department set up just for Substance Misuse Disorder which includes multidisciplinary acute & chronic psychiatric & rehabilitation services. They have the best psychiatrists in Bangalore with decades of experience in diverse specialities, ready to provide the holistic care you need to manage your addictions.