Alcohol Abuse Advice

Substance Abuse Recovery – Why It’s a Family Affair

Substance Abuse: Why Do Some People Cross that Illusive line Before Others

Nobody knows for sure exactly what causes one person to have an drug addiction and another person can take the same exact drug and not become addicted. Although a substance abuse disorder can affect anyone, it affects each individual differently; but there is no doubt about it substance abuse is blind to, ethnicity, and social status. However, some researchers think that genetics does plays a major role.

In addition to genetics, a person’s psychological traits and stress level also adds to the use of alcohol or drugs. With long term usage a proverbial switch turns on in the brain that can produce long lasting negative affects. As a further mystery, every person’s switch turns on at a different point, as if crossing an invisible line into substance addiction. Research have shown that people that get an early start on drug and alcohol usage typically stands a much greater risk of crossing that line sooner and become dependent.

Tell-Tell Signs of substance abuse

Two of the most obvious signs of a person that suffers from drug addiction is denial and excessive use.

The first sign is usage. That can entail, legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or prescribed or un-prescribed medications. How can you identify if there is a drug problem; one sure sign is if you can’t drink sociably. If at every opportunity you have to be or stay drunk, that is a sign of addiction. If someone uses illegal drugs or drugs prescribed for something else that is a sign of substance abuse.

The second sign is denial. This can also turn into physical, emotional, or verbal abuse. When a person is in denial, they will go to any lengths to be right. Unfortunately, a person that’s in denial has a weak sense of reasoning. They often see things that’s really not there.

Here’s an example: Your spouse get fired from work, let’s abort the fact that they has been consecutively late for work for three weeks this month. After verbal warnings and written citations his tardiness persisted.

Finally, the last straw, they show up late for the last time, the boss explains that they have no other recourse but to terminate their position. This is only the beginning, to further demonstrate denial…when asked what happened at work or why were they terminated, their response; the boss fire me because s/he didn’t like me because I ‘m black, white, female, male etc. negate the fact that they were continuously late for work .

SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

Substance abuse treatment programs are designed and provided by experts in the mental health profession. Many times those persons have experienced alcohol and or drug addiction themselves. These caregivers are specially trained, certified or licensed as substance abuse treatment counselors. Most importantly, the abuse treatment consist of programs that cover a wide range of issues. They normally consists of treatment teams that encompass, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other professionals.

Upon starting treatment a complete assessment is needed. Each individual is assigned to a team of professionals. At that time the team will interview the applicant. After which they will design a treatment program specially dedicated to the individual’s needs. The assessment also helps counselors plan an effective treatment schedule.