Is it Possible To “Grow Out” Of Your Drug Addiction?

Resurgence: Is It Possible to “Grow Out” of Your Drug Addiction?

Substance use disorders are complex and people don’t simply ‘outgrow’ them. There is some clinical evidence that people who abused drugs and alcohol as older young adults and qualified for a clinical diagnosis have found that they could have a drink without relapsing in later life. However, there’s also clinical evidence that people who began abusing drugs and alcohol as young teens cannot use an addictive substance later in life without relapsing. 

The body of medical evidence continues to show that drug and alcohol addiction are relapsing conditions. The best way and, for most, the only way to achieve relapse prevention is to abstain from using these substances for good. Using one just one time can trigger the whole cycle of dependence and addiction anew. Someone who had a mild addiction in their early 20s might be able to drink with moderation in their 40s, but that’s certainly not the case for many because addiction isn’t a condition that one simply outgrows.

Drug Addiction Is More Than a Phase

It’s true that abusing drugs and alcohol can seem like a phase. Teens and young adults, in particular, are known to abuse these substances. Remember, however, that alcohol and drug abuse is not the same thing as a substance abuse disorder. In fact, having physical dependence is not the same thing as addiction either. An addiction involves physical, mental, and behavioral dependencies. The fine line between a substance abuse problem and full-blown alcohol or drug addiction may be one reason why some people are able to use drugs or alcohol later in life without becoming dependent or suffering an addiction relapse. 

How Drug Addiction Develops 

Addictions like alcohol use disorders or opioid use disorders develop when a person has a physical dependence on a drug or alcohol as well as a psychological and behavioral dependence on these substances. Substance use disorders change the chemistry of the brain, and these changes are often permanent, which is why addiction has long been said to be incurable. Relapse rates continue to support the medical conclusion that drug or alcohol addiction cannot be cured but only managed with abstinence. 

Will Drug Addiction Last a Lifetime?

Someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol may learn to effectively manage their addiction, especially with medically sanctioned detox and rehab addiction treatments. However, managing the condition doesn’t mean it’s cured. The addiction recovery process is often long and gradual as people learn coping strategies to prevent relapse. Experimenting down the road with drugs or alcohol to see if it’s possible to use these substances without suffering the renewed symptoms of addiction is risky and, all too often, a restarting of the disease. Most addiction medicine specialists continue to espouse the idea that substance use disorders and many dual diagnosis conditions are lifelong conditions. 

When to Get Help for Drug Addiction

The best time to get help for substance alcohol or drug addiction is right away. Never assume that this condition will simply go away on its own. Managing an addiction requires intensive management. Most people will require alcohol or drug detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and aftercare. Many individuals will also require medication-assisted treatment to reduce or eliminate cravings and withdrawal symptoms, family therapy, and dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or anxiety disorders. The sooner you begin your recovery journey, the sooner you can protect your health and well-being from the damage of drug and alcohol use disorders. 

Drug Rehab at Resurgence Behavioral Health

Resurgence Behavioral Health is a leading alcohol and drug rehab that offers multiple treatment programs designed to support lasting recovery. We can individualize our treatment plans to suit clients’ unique needs. Our programs include many different treatment modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy CBT, dialectical behavior therapy DBT, medication-assisted treatment, relapse prevention, family therapy for loved ones, and more. Call our drug and alcohol addiction treatment center today to learn more about our detox programs and substance abuse treatment programs.

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— Resurgence Behavioral Health (@RBHRecovery) September 8, 2022