Understanding Addiction
Addicts may feel unable to control their use of substances or activities, even though they are causing harm to themselves or others. Drug addiction treatment can vary but usually combines several different approaches, including detoxification, counseling, and behavioral therapies.
The goal of treatment is to help the addict manage their addiction and improve their overall health and well-being. There are many different types of addiction, and each one can require a different approach to treatment. However, all addictions share one common goal: recovery.
In this article, we will discuss
A Definition of Addiction
โAddiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individualโs life experiences.โ
People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.โ
At Miracles Asia, we pride ourselves on knowing that what we do actually works and helps people find a long lasting recovery and happy life.
As a small rehab in Thailand that focuses on drug and alcohol abuse as well as behavioral addictions, we have been treating people with addiction since 2017 with great results.
In fact, our success rate is higher than 85% for clients who stay longer than 30 days. This has been verified by Luxury Rehabs and is well above the normal industry standard.
The disease of addiction is treatable, and people do recover. Just like any other disease, drug addiction recovery is possible, and checking in to an rehab center will give you the best chance of success.
A Chronic Disease of the Brain
Recovery from addiction means we need help to heal. Itโs very difficult to do this on our own. If we could โjust stop,โ we wouldnโt need 12-Step fellowships and rehab treatment centers.
At Miracles Asia, we know that if itโs left untreated, addiction can lead to more and more negative consequences, and can have a major impact on all areas of your life โ including your ability to function in your job, your relationships, and your health in general.
Effects of Addiction on the Brain
Your drug of choice will target your brainโs reward system. The drug floods your brain with a neuro chemical called dopamine (the reward) which triggers an intense feeling of pleasure, and the need to chase that high becomes compulsive.
You canโt stop without help.
After a while, and everyone is different, your brain gets used to the extra dopamine, and youโll probably need to take more of the drug to get the same high. You might not enjoy other things as much, such as being with family and friends or taking care of yourself.
Over time, drug use can cause changes in other parts of your brain, which can lead to affecting your:
Risk Factors of Drug Addiction
If a drug is introduced to a developing brain, i.e. a childโs, drug use will stop the brain from growing. Taking drugs as a child can lead to drug addiction when you get older.
If your ancestors or siblings have problems with alcohol or drugs, youโre more likely to as well. If there is trouble within the family system, this might also be a contributing factor.
If you have anxiety or depression (or both) or trouble paying attention, you have a higher chance of developing an addiction, and you might try drugs as a way to feel better. A history of trauma also makes you more likely to develop an addiction.
If you grew up in poverty or in areas where drugs are easily accessible, you are more likely to develop an addiction. Peer pressure can also increase the risk of substance use disorder.
Types of Addiction
Addictions can be divided into two broad categories: substance abuse and behavioral addiction. Substance abuse refers to the abuse of drugs or alcohol, while behavioral addiction refers to compulsively engaging in certain activities even though they may be harmful.
The most common types of addiction include:
Alcohol Addiction
Drug Addiction
Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is a growing problem, especially with easy access to credit and the prevalence of online gambling sites today. With gambling, people can easily get in over their heads and rack up large amounts of debt. Financial problems can soon spiral out of control, leading to other factors such as relationship and mental health issues.
Sex Addiction
The termย sex addictionย often conjures up images of a man unable to control his urges, sexual thoughts, or behaviors. However, sex addiction can affect anyone, regardless of gender or sexuality.
Symptoms can vary from person to person, but they typically include an inability to control one's sexual behavior, preoccupation with sexual thoughts or fantasies, and engaging in risky or dangerous sexual activities.
While there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for sex addiction, therapy and counseling can be helpful in addressing underlying issues and teaching healthy coping skills.
However, the American Psychiatric Association does not consider sex addiction, work addiction, or technology addiction as addictions in its most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
The 4 Stages of Addiction
This is the stage where people first try a substance or behavior. It can be out of curiosity, peer pressure, or boredom. For some people, this phase is quickly forgotten. But for others, it starts a pattern that leads to addiction.
In this stage, people begin using a substance or engaging in behavior more regularly. They may start to feel like they need it to cope with everyday life. They might miss work or school due to their use. And they may start to neglect other important aspects of their life.
This is the stage where people begin to lose control over their use of a substance or engagement in a behavior. They may start taking risks in order to get the substance or engage in the behavior. For example, they may neglect work or school responsibilities, drive while under the influence, or put themselves in risky situations.
This is when someone can no longer control their use of a substance or engagement in a behavior. They may continue to use it despite negative consequences like job loss, financial problems, or relationship issues. They may also start to experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using the substance or engage in the behavior. Withdrawal symptoms can include things like nausea, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
You Donโt Need to Reach Rock Bottom
This is not always true, but why to people risk reaching that place before admitting defeat? Some people never recover if they are unable to get honest with themselves.
So, it's important to understand whatโs really going on for them.
If youโve reached the stage of looking online for your addiction treatment options, letโs see if you think you qualify as being at the stage of needing help by asking yourself the following questions:
If you answer yes to any 3 of these 9 questions, you definitely need help.
At Miracles Asia are ready to help you through any complicated withdrawal and support you in a long lasting recovery. Visiting a rehab in Thailand may be the best option and an invaluable service for you before you expose yourself to greater risk factors or a prolonged recovery process. Donโt wait till you hit rock bottom.
Use the options on this page to contact us addiction specialists for a 100% free and totally confidential chat about your own individual situation.