Monthly Archives2024 February

Rehab offers more flexibility, and a counselor can help figure out the best approach for you. The danger with barbiturates is that they have a high potential for physical dependence, even more so than benzos. The problem is that the longer you use them, the more your body adapts—you start building up a tolerance.

Psychological Dependence Factors

It’s like a seesaw, with the substance on one side and the brain’s natural chemicals on the other. Remove the substance, and suddenly the brain is producing too much or too little of certain chemicals, leading to the misery of withdrawal. Finally, there’s the myth that if you relapse after beating your addiction, you have failed.

• Treating both the addiction and the underlying mental health issues is crucial for long-term recovery.
• Discover the hidden dangers of substance use, abuse, and chemical dependency, its impacts, and recovery.
• It’s important to remember that recovery is a lifelong journey, and ongoing support and care are often needed to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse.

Mindfulness Techniques from DBT for Addiction Recovery

For substance use disorders, it is recommended that individuals complete a drug detox or alcohol detox followed by inpatient rehab and then an outpatient addiction treatment program. If mental disorders are the primary concern, we offer mental health residential treatment for severe cases, outpatient mental health programs, and virtual IOP. As with other diseases, individuals vary in the development and progression of substance use disorders. Not only are some people more likely to use and misuse substances than are others and to progress from initial use to addiction differently, individuals also differ in their vulnerability to relapse and in how they respond to treatments. For example, some people with substance use disorders are particularly vulnerable to stress-induced relapse, but others may be more likely to resume substance use after being exposed to drug-related cues. Developing a thorough understanding of how neurobiological differences account for variation among individuals and groups will guide the development of more effective, personalized prevention and treatment interventions.

• People can become dependent on their smartphones, social media, and online gaming.
• Anyone with an addiction can get help at any point if they feel it’s the right time.
• Physical dependence is a physical condition caused by chronic use of a tolerance-forming drug, leading to uncomfortable or painful physical symptoms upon withdrawal or reduced dosage.
• Many researchers use the term physiological dependence more broadly, though, and define it as including both tolerance and withdrawal.

Defining Addiction

Your brain constantly expects the flood of dopamine, and it takes more and more of the drug to get the same high. A third FDA-approved medication to treat alcohol dependence (disulfiram; Antabuse®) targets alcohol metabolism. These centers, which are often in-patient facilities, specialize in treating SUD. According to the DSM-5, the characteristic symptom of physical dependence is withdrawal.

The Importance of Mental Health Treatment in Addiction Recovery

Individuals with psychological dependence may develop strong cravings and an emotional attachment to the substance. The substance may serve as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or other emotional challenges. The anticipation and desire for the substance can become overwhelming, leading to a cycle of craving and use. Medical supervision during detox ensures that you remain healthy and comfortable throughout the process. Pharmacological assistance can provide a more manageable and pain-free experience.

• Addiction might lead to engaging in harmful behaviors, disregarding consequences, while physiological dependence may not involve such behavioral changes.
• This concept holds a significant place within the field of psychology, as it intersects with aspects of mental health, addiction, and the biological underpinnings of behavior.
• However, if you are genuinely ready to give recovery an honest chance this treatment is the perfect place to go.
• However, because their system is wired to prioritise seeking whichever substance they are used to taking, their priorities may be skewed.
• As with many health disorders, it’s possible to prevent physical dependence by receiving medical guidance.

Increasing Alcohol Prices Decreases Alcohol Related Deaths

Withdrawal occurs when the substance is abruptly reduced or discontinued, resulting in a range of physical and physiological symptoms. Dependence on substances can manifest in different ways, with physical and psychological dependence being two distinct forms. It physiological dependence is important to comprehend the contrast between these two types of dependence as it can inform the appropriate approach to treatment and recovery. The severity of physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms is influenced by the duration and dose of drug use, as well as the age of the user.

Psychological dependence refers to the emotional and mental reliance on a substance, which may not always be physically addictive. This type of dependence can be influenced by various factors, including brain chemistry, mental and emotional states, and the belief that substances are the only way to cope with certain emotions or situations 2. Treating psychological dependence typically involves working with a therapist or counselor to explore triggers, develop coping mechanisms, and create new patterns of thought and behavior.

Neurobiological Effects of Polysubstance Use and Emerging Drug Products

Although medical detox from alcohol dependency will help you navigate the withdrawal process safely, ongoing addiction treatment and support may be necessary to maintain sobriety after detox. Therefore, it’s advisable to explore inpatient and residential treatment facilities that can provide support and tools to help maintain your sobriety. In contrast, if you are physically dependent on alcohol, you may feel like it is a central part of your life and that you are unable to function or survive without it, but those feelings do not mean your condition classifies as an amphetamine addiction treatment AUD. The National Institute on Drug Abuse further explains that physical dependence on alcohol is a factor of addiction, but not addiction itself. However, the heavy drinking caused by physical dependence can lead to an alcohol addiction.

Sheryl Kraft, a freelance writer and breast cancer survivor, was born in Long Beach, New York. She currently lives in Connecticut with her husband Alan and dog Chloe, where her nest is empty of her two sons Jonathan. Sheryl writes articles and essays on breast cancer and contributes to a variety of publications and websites where she writes on general health and wellness issues. Heavy drinking among women, defined as consuming four or more drinks within a couple of hours, went up by 41 percent in 2020.

Long-Term Health Risks and the Importance of Seeking Help

It can be hard for doctors to decide which patients to monitor for alcoholism as some signs and symptoms could be due to other illnesses. Menstruation may stop or become irregular due to alcohol use, or women may fall into an early menopause. The cravings to consume alcohol can be as strong as a need like hunger. This craving can lead to continued drinking despite serious health and legal problems. Overall, the combination of professional help, community support, and self-advocacy empowers women to reclaim their lives and move towards lasting sobriety.

Dehydration Risk

Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. However, for chronic drinkers, the repeated dilation of these blood vessels can lead to persistently bloodshot eyes. In addition to dehydration, alcohol’s impact on the immune system can lead to more severe skin problems.

Addiction Resources

If a woman tries to hide the fact she drinks frequently and in excess, or if she seems to be in denial about her drinking problem. Women who struggle with alcoholism oftentimes have a higher likelihood of struggling with menstruation issues. Alcoholic myopathy can affect appearance by decreasing muscle mass, making arms and legs appear thin and weak.

Medical Disclaimer

Women struggling with alcoholism can experience severe mood swings, shifting from extreme happiness to deep sadness or anger without a clear reason. These unpredictable and frequent mood changes can affect their relationships and daily functioning. Engaging in risky behaviors is a notable sign, as alcohol can lower inhibitions and lead to dangerous activities. Increased sensitivity and defensiveness when questioned about habits or behaviors can also indicate a problem, as women with alcoholism may react strongly to protect their drinking habits. This defensiveness can manifest in arguments, denial, or attempts to hide their drinking from others.

Mental Health and Loneliness

Weight fluctuations are also typical – initial weight gain from excess calories, followed by unhealthy weight loss as alcoholism progresses. Furthermore, the physical toll of alcoholism can be seen through the skin. Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause the blood vessels in the face to dilate, resulting in a flushed appearance. This redness is often accompanied by puffiness, giving the face a swollen and bloated appearance. Bloodshot eyes, another common physical sign of alcoholism, can be caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the eyes, leading to a reddened and irritated appearance.

Denying Our Mental Health: Why We Do It and How To Move Past It

Redness of the face is common as repeated drinking episodes put pressure on blood vessels causing them to enlarge. The brain physical signs of alcoholism in females cannot regulate the vascular system due to regular alcohol use, and blood vessels become inflamed or damaged. Additionally, alcoholics who try to quit may face intense withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous if not managed properly. The side effects of prolonged alcohol abuse, combined with these withdrawal challenges, highlight the critical need for medical intervention. Seeking help early can prevent further damage and improve the chances of recovery before the body’s systems are irreparably harmed.

• Unexplained bruises, frequent injuries, and diminished physical performance may also be signs of alcoholism.
• Behaviorally, individuals often take frequent breaks to smoke, become irritable when unable to smoke, and develop an increased tolerance over time.
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• That part of the brain can be affected permanently due to alcohol abuse, and accidental falls can occur sober or not.
• Sexual minority women especially bisexual women report higher rates of alcohol related problems than heterosexual women.

“When skin gets inflamed, it Substance abuse produces a condition called rosacea,” he said. Rosacea is characterized by redness on the face, and sometimes the ears, back, and chest. Now a clinical psychologist who works with people with addictions, Utter knows alcohol-use disorder falls on a spectrum. While some people with it do look like those bar patrons, many look perfectly healthy. Mindful drinking offers that middle ground where you’ll proactively improve your drinking habits without any pressure to quit.

For more on how to help someone struggling with addiction, check out how to support a friend who is in addiction recovery. Alcohol misuse poses significant health risks for women, affecting both physical and psychological well-being. Emotional instability, depression, anxiety, memory loss, and cognitive impairment are additional psychological signs that can exacerbate existing mental health conditions 5. It’s also important to educate yourself on addiction and how it affects women differently than men. By understanding the unique challenges and risks that women face with alcohol abuse, you can better support your loved ones in their journey toward recovery. Fortunately, there are now many different alcohol addiction treatment plans that help ease cravings.