Dealing with drug addiction can be an arduous challenge. It requires patience and trying out different alternatives to conventional treatment options, and it requires you to read more about ways to manage it. But how can you know that a loved one has an addiction problem? In this article, we discuss signs, prevention strategies, and recovering recommendations. Keep on reading to find more information.
Signs of Drug Addiction
Addiction to prescribed drugs or illicit drugs and alcohol is a dangerous problem. If you have a loved one who you suspect could need help, below is a list of signs that you can assess to confirm your suspicions.
- When a person keeps on taking drugs prescribed for a condition that no longer subsists.
- The drugs are taken to reduce side effects.
- When they show withdrawal signs such as shaking, depression, excessive sweating, and headaches if they haven’t taken the drugs. In severe cases, affected people can experience confusion and seizures.
- Drug addicts generally have problems with acceptable limits. So, they are prone to using prescription drugs even when there isn’t a need to do so.
- In most cases, you realized that there is a change in a person’s interests, or they lack an interest in social interactions. However, this can also be a sign of depression or early memory loss. So, do find more information about why they have lost interest in social activities.
Ways to Prevent Drug Addiction
While there are factors such as a family history of substance abuse that may increase the probability of drug use, there are ways to try and minimize drug use or to effectively prevent your loved ones from using drugs. The following are some prevention strategies that you can consider using to help your loved ones.
- Know Their Routine
When you pay attention to your loved one’s routine, it is easier to notice any potentially problematic behavioral changes. It’s also important to observe what they are interested in and to encourage their involvement in those activities.
- Establish Rules and Consequences
Having rules in place assures a potential addict that you are not enabling their behavior. Being able to consistently enforce consequences ensures that they adhere to the set rules.
- Review Prescriptions
When you know the types of prescription medications that a person is taking, it is easier to find more information about the side effects. Moreover, you will be prepared for any dependency on these prescription drugs.
- Provide Support
While keeping tabs on someone and setting rules for them may seem like a good idea, providing support is equally important. When you see improvements, it’s important to offer praise and provide encouraging support that could effectively motivate positive changes.
Drug Recovery Options
When you are looking for ways to provide recovery for your loved one, it is important to understand that everyone has different needs. You may have to try out different programs before you find one that caters to all of your recovery needs. Read on to find out more about the recovery options that professionals recommend.
Detoxing
This is an effective way to reduce the withdrawal symptoms from drug addiction. It can alleviate anxiety and hallucinations that are associated with stopping drugs.
In-Patient Option
Detoxing programs can offer in-patient treatment options. This is ideal for people who need supervised care.
Out-Patient Option
This is ideal for people who are in a recovery program but who live at home. It is also a less expensive option when compared to the in-patient program.
The Bottom Line
It is important to know what signs to look out for and to think of effective drug prevention strategies. Providing support is important even when you are strict on the rules and consequences that you establish. There are plenty of recovery options, but it is best to compare the services provided to find the best one to meet your needs.
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