You’ve probably heard the saying “We’re all addicted to something.” Caffeine, technology, sugar- they’re all things we can get addicted to and begin to rely on in a biological level. With this perspective, it can be easy to look at addiction to drugs and alcohol with the same attitude. We’re all addicted to something, so maybe my addiction isn’t that bad. Maybe I don’t need help.
Addiction to drug and alcohol is a frightening, heavy thing to fight.
- 700k people have died from drug or substance abuse since 2000
- 19.4 million people aged 12 and over have used drugs
- 31.9 million people are currently using illegal drugs
- Only 10% of Americans struggling with addiction get help
Statistics from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics
These are big numbers, but there is always hope. Recovery for drug and alcohol addiction is high. Around 75% of people who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse are now in full recovery (source).
So, hope isn’t just out there- it’s within your reach. A life without drugs is more than possible. You just have to be willing to take that first step towards recovery. Middleburg Heights addiction recovery therapists at Thriveworks in Middleburg Heights, OH are here to help you along the way.
What Is Addiction?
How do you know when it’s time to reach out? The answer is simply whenever you’re not happy with your life. Whenever you have goals that you aren’t reaching, when you feel like you aren’t living to your full potential, when you want to be a better person for the people around you- that’s when you should reach out for help. Because help is out there, waiting for you. There is no such thing as “bad enough” in counseling for addiction. If you want to put a stop to your drug and alcohol abuse, that’s enough of a reason.
If you recognize any of these signs and symptoms in yourself, you are likely headed towards a more severe addiction, and Thriveworks Middleburg Heights recommends seeking help:
- People close to you have expressed concern
- Having a desire to quit but being unable to
- Feeling out of control
- The only time you’re truly happy is when you have the drugs/alcohol
- Searching for a constant escape
- Spending a lot of time and money on getting the drugs/alcohol
Addiction is a mental and physical health issue. It can also be a chronic issue. Like all chronic issues, it won’t go away on its own. You wouldn’t try to “get over” a physical health issues like diabetes, heart disease, or a stroke by yourself. The same is true for addiction. You don’t have to do it alone. The research is out there- you can recover from addiction.
Get started on your addiction recovery journey today. Thriveworks Middleburg Heights addiction recovery therapists look forward to meeting you.
When Does Something Become an Addiction?
In general, the earlier you seek help the better. If you know you have a broken bone, you wouldn’t walk on it for months before seeking help. That could cause more permanent damage to your body.
Drugs and alcohol can leave a lasting impression on your body. In order to prevent future harm, it’s best to seek help as soon as you can.
Other signs you can look for are:
Emotional Symptoms of Addiction
- Mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression
- Irritability
- Vulnerability to stress
- Feeling hopeless
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Feeling isolated or like you’re undeserving of love
- Feeling like everything is set up against you and you are doomed to fail
- Feelings of guilt and shame associated around drug use
- Feeling skittish/uptight
- Needing the drug/substance to feel happy
Behavioral Symptoms of Addiction
- Loss of relationships
- Quitting jobs
- Loss of hobbies, interests, and goals
- Making up lies to cover substance use
- Engaging in risky or ill-advised activities in order to obtain the drug
- A lack of personal hygiene
- Changes in eating and sleep patterns
- Lashing out at people, especially when they bring up drug use
- Wanting to quit but being unable to
- Requiring more and more of the drug in order to feel okay
Physical Symptoms of Addiction
There are both short-term and long-term physical effects of addiction. Some short-term effects of it are:
- Withdrawal symptoms in between drug uses
- Exhaustion
- Brain fogged
Some dangerous, long-term effects of addiction are:
- Kidney failure
- Liver damage
- Cardiovascular issues
- Lung damage
- Certain types of cancer
What does Addiction Therapy Look Like?
Addiction therapy with Middleburg Heights Thriveworks will always be a client-centered, nonjudgmental space. We understand that you are more than your addiction. You are your passions, goals, past, friends, loved ones, personality, habits, thoughts, emotions, and everything in between. The therapists at Thriveworks Middleburg Heights draw on all of you in the therapy process.
Also, addiction rarely strikes alone. Mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and low self-esteem are all common predecessors and results of addiction. They are part of the tangled web of addiction that we can discuss during a session.
Addiction counseling sessions with Thriveworks Middleburg Heights are always about breaking the habit of addiction and remolding your brain back to its healthy self. Recovery is possible, and it starts today. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (380) 201-3145.
