drug addiction signs and symptoms

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SIGNS OF DRUG WITHDRAWAL Drug withdrawal refers
to a set of symptoms that occur as a result of
cessation from a drug or medication that one has
habitually used for a prolonged period of time.
The symptomology of withdrawal is as varied as
the substances that produce their effects. One
can experience withdrawal symptoms from
Stimulants such as Methamphetamines, from
Sedatives such as Valium, long lasting
tranquilizers such as Barbiturates, in addition
to Opiates such as Heroin. The Essence of
Addiction The development of withdrawal
symptomology is exclusively precipitated by
dependence, which in turn necessitates
habituated use, and usually occurs in tandem with
addictive pathology. For the sake of clarity,
addictive pathology can be regarded as an
umbrella term a shorthand that covers a wide
range of behaviors, disorders, and personality
traits, which, taken together, indicate the
presence of addiction. In cases where addiction
is present, there is a constellation of
characteristics that, broadly speaking, give
shape to the treatment measures best suited to
the individual, and orient the trajectory of the
protocols that will be employed to help them get
clean. Personalized Protocols are
Critical Unfortunately, treatment has become an
industry primarily concerned with the bottom
line as opposed to the well-being of the client.
Efficiency has become so pervasive that the
integrity of the treatment process has
degenerated proportionally to the quality of care
that is available. Today, more often than not,
the treatment process is preoccupied with
streamlining its protocols and operating under
generalized assumptions that have less to do
with ensuring the client receives dignified,
personalized care, as it does maintaining
census. With regards to the medical component of
treatment, addiction is not the same as, say,
high cholesterol, where treatment measures are
standardized and adhere to a set of interventions
that apply effectively to both elderly
Caucasians as well as young African Americans.
Addiction is so complex with regards to its
pathology that to make overly broad assumptions
actually hinders the addicts progress towards
recovery. Withdrawal Causes are Complex Addiction
is multifaceted, and is the result of myriad
factors, which include genetic markers,
physiological traits, psychological disorders,
family history, personal history, and a host of
other features that make effective treatment a
form of alchemy. What works for one person may
very well harm another, and when other mental
health disorders are present (what is referred to
as dual diagnosis more below), successful
treatment protocols become that much more
refined. Usually, by the time a person
experiences withdrawal symptoms, their condition
has progressed to a point where professional care
is a necessity. It is at the preliminary stages
of treatment where assumptions can be employed
with little or no harm done to the addict. For
example, Heroin withdrawal follows a predictable
course and manifests with a predicable set of
symptoms which last for a specific set of time
that occur regardless of ones personality traits
or psychological characteristics. As such,
detoxing someone from Heroin requires certain
steps that are as universal as the symptoms
themselves as such detox can be successfully
achieved with the assistance of assumptions that
usually pertain to the physical aspects of the
detox process. It should be noted, however, that
even symptomology as predictable as Heroin, it is
nonetheless necessary to take into account
emotional and psychological considerations that
are unique to the individual, without which
comprehensive treatment is impossible. This
holds true for Stimulants and Sedatives alike.
Each substance, medication, or drug, manifests
common features that will occur at stages
regardless of the personality traits each person
brings to the table. There are also scenarios
that, by their very nature, require scrutiny in a
way that honors them as unique beings requiring
a unique set of interventions. This is especially
true where a person has become dependent on a
drug but demonstrates little or none of the
Addictive pathology that typifies the Addictive
cycle.
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Med Compliance Dependency and Withdrawal There
are situations in which a person becomes
unwittingly dependent on a medication that is
obtained legally and prescribed by a physician.
This particular scenario presents certain
complications with regards to treatment
protocols, not the least being that they
otherwise manifest none of the drug seeking
behaviors and co-occurring illnesses that are
present in most addicts. This particular variety
of Addict is usually baffled, terrified, and
resistant to the idea that they are in the same
situation as a Heroin addict who has spent years
running the street and engaging in anti-social
behaviors. There are scenarios in which a person
becomes addicted to a Sedative Valium, for
instance without demonstrating the behaviors
that typify addictive pathology. In situations
of this kind, detox protocols must be tailored to
the individual, despite the fact that this is
the stage of recovery where assumptions can be
safely made because of the commonality of
physical withdrawal symptoms. Severity of Drug
Withdrawal Symptoms Symptomatically (in addition
to the variety of drug being abused), the
severity of the withdrawal symptoms is
proportional to the quantity and duration of
abuse. A long-term Methadone habit will be
significantly more uncomfortable than a two
month Vicodin habit, although symptomatically
there will also be similarities. And, in the
same way Addiction occurs in stages, withdrawal
progresses through clearly defined stages, as
does the entire treatment process. Antidepressant
Withdrawal It is also worth noting that
withdrawal symptoms can occur from cessation of
drugs that are not regarded as drugs with abuse
potential. Antidepressants, what are known as
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin reuptake Inhibits),
can generate symptoms that are fairly
uncomfortable and possibly injurious. Before a
person stops taking a medication of this nature,
it is important to explore with their physician
what course of action is best suited to their
situation. Regardless of the drug or medications
abuse potential, symptoms of withdrawal may be
even more dramatic when the drug has masked
prolonged malnutrition, disease, chronic pain, or
sleep deprivation, conditions that addicts often
suffer as secondary consequence of their drug
habit. Physical Symptoms of Drug
Withdrawal Withdrawal symptoms can manifest as
both physical and psychological symptoms, which
are caused by physiological adaptions in the
central nervous system and the brain due to
chronic exposure to a specific substance. The
following list is not comprehensive but should
give you an idea of some of the more common
physical symptoms that indicate the presence of
withdrawal. These include
Increased heart rate and/or blood pressure.
Sweating, chills, and tremors. Confusion.
Seizures. Cramps. Body aches and
paions. Hallucinations. Nausea and vomiting.
Insomnia. Runny nose and fever.
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Emotional Symptoms of Drug Withdrawal In addition
to physical withdrawal symptoms, symptoms can
also manifest emotionally. Emotional symptoms
include
Extended periods of depression.
Anxiety. Nervousness.
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Volatile mood swings. Suicidal thoughts.
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Drugs with Abuse Potential The following is a
list of some of the more commonly abused drugs
available. These drugs include
Alcohol Marijuana Hallucinogens Cocaine
Amphetamines Benzodiazepines Opiates Anabolic
steroids Inhalants Methamphetamine Nicotine
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