The first step to recovery is to admit that you have a substance abuse problem and to accept help. A lot of the time when you are the person with the addiction, it can be hard to see things clearly. Therefore, it can be difficult to evaluate or diagnose yourself properly. Rehab centers stress the importance of undergoing a drug and alcohol evaluation at the start of treatment as a means of diagnosing patients accurately and offering the right help.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Addiction is a disease categorized by the compulsive overconsumption of a harmful substance despite knowing the negative implications the drugs are having on your body. There are various indications that you yourself are suffering from an addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Some of the symptoms that you are suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol include the compulsive need to consume the drug regularly (daily or several times per day), building up a tolerance to the drug where you need more of the drug than you initially used in order to feel the effects, having intense urges for the drug that distract you from other thoughts, consuming larger amounts of the substance that you initially intended on taking, spending money that you may not have, not meeting obligations or work responsibilities, cutting back on social activities you once found enjoyable, continuing to use the drug even though you are aware of its harmful side effects, doing things outside your normal behavior to obtain the drug (such as stealing), failing in your attempts to stop using the drug even though you may want to, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the drug.
There are also behavioral and physical signs to look out for when you suspect a loved one might be experiencing a drug addiction. Some of the behavioral signs include missing work or school, suddenly not showing up for activities they once enjoyed, isolation or hanging out with different groups of people, changes in behavior, mood swings, lack of energy, and changes in sleep patterns. Some physical signs to look out for, which may depend on the individual as well as the substance they are abusing, include sudden changes in appearance such as weight loss or gain, break-outs of the skin, bloodshot eyes, expanded pupils, slurred speech, lack of coordination, rapid or rambling speech, mouth sores and tooth decay, and chills and sweating.
The Importance of Finding an Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Near Me
When you or a loved one decides it is time to seek help for an addiction, it is imperative to undergo a drug evaluation. Drug evaluations allow medical staff, therapists, and addiction specialists to treat you based on your specific diagnosis. There are many cases in which addiction is coupled with a mental health disorder, otherwise known as ‘dual diagnosis,’ and treatment for dual diagnosis is entirely different from treatment for addiction alone.
It is unwise to treat a patient that has not had a proper drug evaluation. The implications of doing so will cause a higher chance of relapse because the patient had not been treated in full. For example, if you are suffering from a drug addiction, and you are also suffering from anxiety and depression, without treating both the mental health disorder as well as the substance use disorder, the patient will leave rehab without treating the root of the problem. Additionally, patients who might be suffering from a mental health disorder might require certain medications that they must start taking under strict medical supervision.
Reach Out to the Team at VRC Agua Dulce Today
If you or a loved one is suspected to be suffering from an addiction and/or mental health disorder, we urge you to undergo an alcohol and drug evaluation “near me” so you can receive a proper diagnosis and get the help you need to overcome your condition. Start your recovery process the right way.